Influence of elective and emergency cesarean delivery on mother emotions and bonding

Abstract

Background: Previous studies have indicated that mode of delivery could have a negative effect on bonding.

Aims: To assess feelings towards newborn infants in mothers who delivered by cesarean delivery, elective (ElCD) or emergency (EmCD).

Study design: This observational prospective study took place at the Division of Perinatal Medicine, Policlinico Abano Terme, Abano Terme, Italy, from September 2014 to April 2015.

Subjects: The sample included 573 puerperae divided into three groups: women undergone ElCD (n=73; 12.73%), women undergone EmCD (n=81; 14.13%) and women who underwent vaginal delivery (VD) (n=419; 73.12%).

Outcome measures: The instrument used was the Mother-to-Infant Bonding Scale (MIBS; Taylor et al., 2005), a self-report test to measure mother's feelings towards her baby. High scores indicate worse mother-to-infant bonding and a score≥2, established as cut-off, indicates an altered bonding.

Results: The mean MIBS global score was 0.50±1.05 in the VD mothers, 0.67 (±1.14) for ElCD mothers and 0.92 (±1.05) for EmCD mothers, resulting significantly higher in EmCD mothers (p<0.001). The percentage of altered bonding (Score≥2) in the three groups was of 11.21% (n=47) in VD, 17.80% (n=13) in ElCD and 23.45% (n=19) in EmCD, significantly higher in EmCD women (p<0.006). In addition, EmCD mothers scored significantly higher Joyful (0.074±0.26 vs 0.185±0.39; p<0.005) and Disappointed (0.063±0.25 vs 0.123±0.36; p<0.008) subscales.

Conclusions: It was found that EmCD negatively affects mother bonding and opening emotions, and originates in mother feelings like sadness and disappointment for the unplanned delivery evolution.