Vaginal Birth or Cesarean Section: Recommendations of Women Who Delivered Via Both Methods

Abstract

Aim: To determine which method is recommended by women who have delivered via both methods and their reasons for this recommendation. Material and Method: The study included 204 women, mean age was 42 +/- 7.6 years with history of both vaginal and cesarean delivery. A questionnaire was prepared about experiences with vaginal and caesarean delivery. Results: Reasons for cesarean section were maternal preference (40), and obstetric indications (164). Of the 204 women, 129 (63.2%) recommended vaginal delivery to other women. More participants who experienced difficult labor during vaginal delivery recommended cesarean delivery than those who considered their vaginal delivery "easy" (65.4% vs. 10.4%, p<0.01). Recommendation of cesarean section increased significantly with the level of education (p=0.011). The most frequent reason for recommend vaginal delivery was postpartum comfort (64.3%), for recommend cesarean delivery were easy labor (53.3%). Most women who delivered via cesarean section due to obstetric indications (69.6%) recommended vaginal route, whereas most who chose cesarean delivery (62.5%) recommended cesarean section. Discussion: Among women who had delivered via both methods, 63.2% of those recommended vaginal delivery due to primarily postpartum comfort. Patients who recommend cesarean section regarded it as easier primarily because of pain during vaginal delivery.