Patients' attitudes associated with cesarean delivery on maternal request in an urban population.

Abstract

To explore patient attitudes related to cesarean delivery on maternal request (CDMR). Questionnaires were distributed to patients in mid-trimester. Questions assessed patient demographics, knowledge, perceived risks, and attitudes about CDMR. Three hundred and fourteen questionnaires and 188 written responses were used for analysis. Most patients (95%) did not believe that CDMR was advisable and felt that vaginal delivery (VD) was safer for both mother (93%) and baby (88%). Of patients who did not believe CDMR was advisable, the most common explanations were classified into categories of "normal is better," "risk of complications" (67%), only 1% of this group felt that the decision should be left up to the individual. Of the remaining patients (5%) who supported CDMR, 75% believed that the decision should be left up to the individual. The majority of women in our population do not think that CDMR is advisable.