The Role of Personality Traits on Mode of Delivery

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study is to understand the motives behind CS requests in nulliparous women in their late pregnancy better and to investigate if specific personality traits affect the maternal decision on mode of delivery.

Material and Method

This prospective study was conducted with 70 healthy, nulliparous parturient with singleton pregnancies. Women at their 28-32. weeks of gestation were asked to fill a socio-demographic data form and the questionnaires; Personality Belief Questionnaire - Short Form (PBQ-SF) and The Childbirth Attitudes Questionnaire (CAQ). After delivery, all the results of pre-filled questionnaires and women's mode of delivery were analyzed and compared.

Results

There were significant differences in personality types; dependent (p = 0.033), passive-aggressive (p = 0.031), obsessive-compulsive (p = 0.001), antisocial (p = 0.014), narcissistic (p = 0.014) and borderline (p = 0.014) between vaginal delivery and CS groups. The CAQ scores of the mothers who requested CS were significantly higher (p:0.007). Weak but significant positive relation was found between total CAQ scores and avoidant (p = 0.022), dependent (p = 0.034), passive-aggressive (p = 0.040), narcissistic (p = 0,006), schizoid (p = 0.007), paranoid (p = 0.007) and borderline (p = 0.007) personality types.

Conclusion

This is the first study that investigates the relationship between mode of delivery and personality traits according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and cognitive behavioral perspective in the literature. These personality traits can be carried at a level that is not clinically significant to create an obvious pathology, yet they might play a role as the motives behind the apparent reasons for women who request CS. Understanding women's motives and attitudes for childbirth during their pregnancy may help healthcare providers to tailor women's approach to childbirth to avoid unnecessary CS.