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Table 2 Considerations when making the decision on mode of delivery: Comparison between women who prefer a vaginal birth (VB) and a cesarean delivery (CD) (n = 319)

From: Factors influencing the decision that women make on their mode of delivery: the Health Belief Model

 

Prefer VB

Prefer CD

P-value

(n = 246)

(n = 73)

n (%)

n (%)

Baby’s factors

   

   Health of the newborn

209 (85.0)

39 (53.4)

<0.001***

   Birth trauma to the newborn

52 (21.1)

24 (32.9)

0.039*

   Respiratory trauma to the newborn

20 (8.1)

10 (33.7)

0.152

   Newborn’s birth presentation

24 (9.8)

13 (17.9)

0.059

   Large baby

23 (9.3)

16 (21.9)

0.004**

   Twins/triplets

5 (2.0)

5 (6.8)

0.038*

Maternal factors

   

   Maternal health

180 (73.2)

33(45.2)

<0.001***

   Advanced age for childbirth

17 (6.9)

22 (30.1)

<0.001***

   Labor pain

47 (19.1)

58 (79.5)

<0.001***

   Unsightly abdominal scars

63 (25.6)

5 (6.8)

0.0010**

   Worry about tearing of the perineum

18 (7.3)

19 (26.0)

<0.001***

   Possible anal/urinary incontinence due to VD

6 (2.4)

19 (26.0)

<0.001***

   Possible better sexual satisfaction

1 (0.4)

12 (16.4)

<0.001***

Social factors

   

   Natural way of delivery

122 (49.6)

13 (17.8)

<0.001***

   Faster/more convenient method of delivery

7 (2.8)

18 (24.7)

<0.001***

Certainty about the timing of the delivery

8 (3.3)

20 (27.4)

<0.001***

   Better planning for maternity leave

8 (3.3)

20 (27.4)

<0.001***

   Better planning for paternity leave

4 (1.6)

11 (15.1)

<0.001***

   Medical insurance coverage

11 (4.5)

2 (2.7)

0.511

   Choosing an auspicious date

0 (0.0)

14 (19.2)

<0.001***

   Women should have the right to choose

14 (5.7)

14 (19.2)

<0.005**

  1. A Chi-square test was used to compare the factors that childbearing age women would take into consideration when making their decision
  2. * = P < 0.05, ** = P < 0.01, *** = P < 0.001