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First-Time Mothers Accept Greater Risks For Natural Births

Posted on: Tuesday, 26 August 2008, 17:40 CDT

New research suggests that first-time mothers-to-be will accept greater risks than clinicians for a natural birth.

The British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology cited a report from a study in Sydney, Australia that found these women also prepared to accept higher levels of pain.

Questionnaires were sent to 102 pregnant women and 341 midwives, obstetricians and other doctors about what complications would make them choose a Caesarean section.

Doctors were reported as "biased" as they often see complications during the birthing process.

In the UK, approximately one in four pregnancies ends in a Caesarean section, and most are offered in the face of potential complications such as the baby lying in the wrong position for natural birth.

However, women given an informed choice were less likely than the professionals treating them to take a more cautious approach, a Royal Prince Alfred Hospital study suggested.

In an attempt to find out whether different complications would prompt them to choose a Caesarean, a total of 102 women, 84 midwives, 166 obstetricians, 12 urogynecologists and 79 colorectal surgeons were interviewed .

They were asked about mild complications such as a prolonged birth and superficial tears to severe problems such as anal and urinary incontinence, vaginal prolapse and severe tearing.

The pregnant women, in all categories, were far more likely to be prepared to put up with complications in order to have a natural birth than their midwives or doctors.

"Our study found that pregnant women were more likely to aim for a vaginal delivery, and they accept a higher threshold of risks from vaginal delivery when compared with clinicians," said study author Catherine Turner.

The journal's editor in chief, Professor Philip Steer, said the study indicates that experiencing labor and attempting a normal birth are two very important priorities in women's decision-making.

"It may also indicate that doctors are biased by their inevitable involvement in complex cases, or labors where things have gone wrong."

Health professionals could let their own negative experiences influence the recommendations they gave to women, according to Belinda Phipps, chief executive of the National Childbirth Trust.

She said for doctors who have seen a traumatic birth, or been involved in a tragedy, there is no debriefing for them and it can mean they are more judgmental about the risks involved.

"I recognize that this is very difficult to avoid, but they need to realize that for most women, this is something that they feel it is important to do for them," she added.

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On The Net:

British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

National Childbirth Trust

Source: redOrbit staff

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