Objective: A recent National Institutes of Health conference on cesarean concluded that the literature is lacking with regard to patients' childbirth preferences. The goal of this study was to examine how information patients received in pregnancy affects childbirth preferences and satisfaction.
Study design: In this cross-sectional study, questionnaires were issued to English- or Spanish-speaking women with prior cesarean, delivering by either vaginal birth after cesarean or repeat cesarean, at a large U.S. university hospital postpartum unit. Questions evaluated the adequacy of and satisfaction with information provided in counseling with regard to mode of delivery.
Results: Eighty of 92 women approached completed the survey. The majority reported receiving no or too little information about forceps or vacuum delivery, future problems with urine or stool, fetal death, and injury.
Conclusion: Information that patients receive in pregnancy influences their childbirth preferences and satisfaction. Women wanted more information; particularly about urinary and fecal incontinence.