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Women's preferences for mode of second birth—A prospective study of two Israeli birth cohorts
Author(s) -
Preis Heidi,
Mor Pnina,
GrisaruGranovsky Sorina,
Samueloff Ar,
Gabbay-Benziv Rinat,
Chen Rony,
Eisner Michal,
Pardo Joseph,
Peled Yoav,
Wiznitzer Ar,
Benyamini Yael
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
birth
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.233
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1523-536X
pISSN - 0730-7659
DOI - 10.1111/birt.12484
Subject(s) - medicine , obstetrics , vaginal birth , biopsychosocial model , prospective cohort study , place of birth , odds , demography , pregnancy , psychology , population , logistic regression , psychiatry , genetics , surgery , sociology , biology , environmental health
Various biopsychosocial factors affect women's preferences with respect to mode of birth, but they are usually not examined simultaneously and prospectively. In the current study, we assessed the contribution of personal characteristics of first‐time mothers, their prior prenatal perceptions, events during birth, and subjective birth experiences, on their preference about mode of second birth. Methods This was a secondary analysis of two prospective birth cohort studies. Participants included 832 primiparous women recruited mostly from women's health centers in Israel, and through natural birth communities and cesarean birth websites. Women completed questionnaires prenatally and were followed up at 6‐8 weeks postpartum to understand their preferences for a second birth. Results Regression models indicated that after vaginal first birth, being less religious, believing that birth is a medical process, and having a negative experience increased the odds of preferring primary cesarean for the second birth. After cesarean birth, being more religious, having higher education, conceiving spontaneously, having a more negative birth experience, and perceiving better treatment from the staff during birth contributed to preferring vaginal birth for the second birth. Conclusions Religiosity is central to women's preferences, probably because of its association with the desire to have many children. Modifiable factors, such as women's beliefs about the nature of birth, their overall birth experience, and their perceived treatment from the staff, could influence the uptake of having vaginal births. Intrapartum care that is empathic and encouraging, along with education about modes of birth, could help decrease cesarean birth rates.