Opinions of pregnant women about vaginal birth after caesarean section

Abstract

Vaginal birth after caesarean section (VBAC) is regarded as an effective option to reduce rapidly increasing C-section rates. The aim of the descriptive and cross-sectional study was to reveal opinions of women with experiences of prior C-section about VBAC and the factors affecting their opinions. The study included 283 pregnant women whit a history of previous C-section and followed up in a research and training hospital in İstanbul. Study data were collected by face-to-face interview method through The Personal Information Form and The Opinions about VBAC Form. Obtained data were analyzed with Number Cruncher Statistical System 2007 and evaluated with percentages, mean, standard deviation and Chi-square test. The statistical significance was set at p<0,05. According to the study results, 74.6% of the participants wanted to have a vaginal birth (VB) in their first pregnancy, whereas 56.9% were satisfied with the result of their first pregnancy with a C-section. The rate of those who are satisfied with the current pregnancy being planned as a repeat C-section is 66.8%. Also of all the women, 66.4% found VBAC acceptable, 44.5% wanted to give birth through VBAC, and 73.1% believed it should be promoted in the country. Women thoughts about VBAC were not affected by sociodemographic and obstetric features (p>0.05). On the other hand dissatisfaction with previous C-section had positive effects on finding VBAC acceptable (p=0.000), willingness to have VBAC (p=0.000), and wanting its promotion in the country (p=0.007). Also dissatisfaction with repeated C-sections plans had positive effects on finding VBAC acceptable (p=0.000) and willingness to have VBAC (p=0.000). Similarly, an increased frequency of antenatal visits was found to increase the thoughts about the promotion of VBAC in the country (p=0.015), and asking to have C-section in the first pregnancy was found to decrease the willingness to have VBAC in the current pregnancy (p=0.000). The study results showed that although the pregnant women participating in this study had positive perceptions about VBAC, they abstained from preferring this method. Also opinions of pregnant women about VBAC were shaped by women’s birth experiences and the care services they received. (Afr J Reprod Health 2022; 26[8]: 100-111).