What influences a woman's preference when it comes to caesarean births?

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2024-11-08 06:00

Australia; VIC

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Women may be just as concerned about the potential risks of a vaginal birth as they are about the risks of a caesarean delivery, according to Australian researchers. The team surveyed about 200 pregnant women who hadn't given birth before - presenting a series of hypothetical situations to assess how they felt about the different risks a vaginal birth presents compared to the risks a caesarean delivery presents. The researchers say overall, the women were just as likely to prefer the risks of a caesarean delivery compared to the risks of a vaginal birth, with the risk of unplanned intervention during the birth, their own health and the potential impact of the birth on future fertility and pregnancies among the highest priorities for the women. The researchers say depending on a woman's priorities it may be worth discussing the risks and benefits of an elective caesarean with pregnant women, even for low-risk pregnancies.