The opinion of health workers regarding vaginal labor and cesarean section

1SUMMARYThe Opinion of Health Workers Regarding Vaginal Labor and Cesarean SectionVaginal birth is a most-commonly used delivery type among mammals. The main advantageof the vaginal birth is its nature and physiology: the natural way for a baby to be born isthrough the mother?s vagina. But sometimes vaginal birth is not possible. If mother or herbaby have certain problems before or during labor, cesarean section may be safer than vaginalbirth. Both kinds of deliveries have some advantages and disadvantages. More women arechoosing to have caesarean sections instead of vaginal births, according to their decisions, toavoid the pain of delivery. But, doctors recommend the vaginal delivery because they contendthat caesarean sections are more dangerous for mothers and their babies.The aim of this study was to determine the opinion of health workers at Ahmet NecdetSezer Hospital of Afyon Kocatepe University regarding vaginal labor and cesarean section. InMay 2006-August 2006, a total of 270 women health workers in Ahmet Necdet SezerHospital of Afyon Kocatepe University were interviewed. 250 health workers who acceptedto participate were recruited in this study. The questionnaire which consists of 26 questionswas used, asking in detail about demographic properties, choosing delivery type, the numberof child, and etc. Data were analyzed by SPSS for Windows 13.0 (Statistical Package forSocial Sciences) as appropriate. Concerning the data, mean values, standard deviation,minimum and maximum values, Pearson chi-square (X2) test, Student t-Test, and percentageratios were used in some analyses. Statistical significance is quoted at the p<0.05 level.According to the results of this study, %46.9of health workers chose vaginal birthwhile 53.1% cesarean section. It was found that the main reasons for cesarean section aremedical complications (16.3%) and personal choice (76.7%). Once a woman has chosencesarean section, she always wants to have cesarean section for other pregnancies. Significantrelation between delivery choice and education level was found. Women with low educationallevel always want to have vaginal birth, while women with high educational level (58.5%)want to have cesarean section. As a result, there is a positive trend between educational leveland cesarean section. There is no association between delivery choice and professional statue.23.3% of academic staff 76,9% and 60% of nurses has a cesarean section.Women who have no previous delivery experience stated that they prefer vaginal birthwith 57.4% and cesarean section with 23.1%, and 19.5% of women was undecided. 74.2% of2women with vaginal delivery believe that the vaginal birth is so natural, while 53.8% ofwomen with cesarean section believe the vaginal birth is so painful.One of most important event in the nature of a woman is the birth after pregnancy,which is unforgettable and difficult stage during her life. Choosing type of the delivery is,therefore, important. Although more women are choosing to have cesarean section, the mostreliable delivery type should be vaginal birth. In this case, we thought that the opinion ofhealth workers regarding vaginal labor and cesarean section should be determined, and thelack of information about delivery should be satisfied.Keywords: Vaginal birth, cesarean section, delivery choice, paid, cesarean rate