‘I wanted desperately to have a natural birth’: Mothers’ insights on Vaginal Birth After Caesarean (VBAC)

Phillips, Emma; McGrath, Pamela Della; Vaughan, Grahame

doi:10.5172/conu.2009.34.1.077

Cited by 23 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…The results show that four studies are from Australia [13,18,19,29], three from UK [2,20,30], and one from US [31]. The women's experiences were requested concerning different aspects of the following phenomena: experiences of decision-making - whether to give birth vaginally or with CS during the subsequent birth [2,13,20], experiences of the influence of health professionals on decision-making [30], reason for trying a vaginal birth after a previous CS [18,20,31], experiences when choosing VBAC [18,19,29], experiences during the subsequent birth giving birth vaginally [18,20,31], and experiences with CS during the subsequent birth [13,30].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The women's experiences were requested concerning different aspects of the following phenomena: experiences of decision-making - whether to give birth vaginally or with CS during the subsequent birth [2,13,20], experiences of the influence of health professionals on decision-making [30], reason for trying a vaginal birth after a previous CS [18,20,31], experiences when choosing VBAC [18,19,29], experiences during the subsequent birth giving birth vaginally [18,20,31], and experiences with CS during the subsequent birth [13,30]. Experiences of giving birth vaginally [13,18-20,31], and with CS [2,13,18-20,29,31] are described. In one study no information was given about the subsequent birth experience [30].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In one study no information was given about the subsequent birth experience [30]. Interviews with women were performed during pregnancy [19,20,30], and two to eight months after birth [2,13,18-20,29,31]. Altogether 94 women participated in the studies.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Women experience decisional conflicts and uncertainty and need individual and structured information [6,10,15-17]. Studies focusing on women's experiences of giving birth vaginally after a previous CS birth shows that they express a belief in the importance of a natural birth [18,19], and that psycho-social dimensions that go beyond the birth are of importance for them [20]. …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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‘Groping through the fog’: a metasynthesis of women's experiences on VBAC (Vaginal birth after Caesarean section)

Lundgren

Begley

Groß

et al. 2012

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth

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BackgroundVaginal birth after Caesarean section (VBAC) is a relevant question for a large number of women due to the internationally rising Caesarean section (CS) rate. There is a great deal of research based on quantitative studies but few qualitative studies about women's experiences.MethodA metasynthesis based on the interpretative meta ethnography method was conducted. The inclusion criterion was peer-review qualitative articles from different disciplines about women's experiences of VBAC. Eleven articles were checked for quality, and eight articles were included in the synthesis.ResultsThe included studies were from Australia (four), UK (three), and US (one), and studied women's experience in relation to different aspects of VBAC; decision-making whether to give birth vaginally, the influence of health professionals on decision-making, reason for trying a vaginal birth, experiences when choosing VBAC, experiences of giving birth vaginally, and giving birth with CS when preferring VBAC. The main results are presented with the metaphor groping through the fog; for the women the issue of VBAC is like being in a fog, where decision-making and information from the health care system and professionals, both during pregnancy and the birth, is unclear and contrasting. The results are further presented with four themes: ‘to be involved in decision about mode of delivery is difficult but important,’ ‘vaginal birth has several positive aspects mainly described by women,’ ‘vaginal birth after CS is a risky project,’ and ‘own strong responsibility for giving birth vaginally'.ConclusionIn order to promote VBAC, more studies are needed from different maternity settings and countries about women's experiences. Women need evidence-based information not only about the risks involved but also positive aspects of VBAC.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

‘Groping through the fog’: a metasynthesis of women's experiences on VBAC (Vaginal birth after Caesarean section)

Lundgren

Begley

Groß

et al. 2012

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth

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“…More holistically, however, Phillips, McGrath, and Vaughan (2009) identified 'fear of failure' as a driving factor for women making this decision. This possibly influences some who opt for ERCS, as it might provide the most predictable experience eradicating the risk of 'failing again', and this was also considered by some women who chose VBAC.…”

Section: Risk Perceptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Birth after emergency caesarean section: Women’s perspectives on the factors influencing their decision making

Hughes¹

2016

Fields: Journal of Huddersfield Student Research

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The study explored the decisions women made in relation to mode of birth following a previous emergency lower segment caesarean section (emLSCS), particularly focusing on what different factors influenced women to choose a particular mode of birth and what they described as the rationale underpinning that decision.Participants were recruited from a population of students and staff within the School of Human and Health Sciences at a university in the north of England. Sixteen individuals were selected using convenience sampling, who then completed openended questionnaires. The questions were non-leading and asked the women to identify and expand upon factors that influenced their decision on mode of birth. Data were analysed using a basic thematic framework analysis.Many of the identified themes mirrored those well recognised in existing research: the woman's previous birth, her perception of risks, the influence of professionals and the influence of peers were all apparent. One factor not explored in existing literature, namely a sense of duty to existing children, appeared to be strongly influential in this data set. Interestingly, it was observed that each woman's philosophical framework and her relationship with the element of control substantially underpinned her consideration of key factors, leading her to an individual decision.This article provides an interesting insight into the complexity of individual decision making in maternity care. The findings highlight the fact that professional guidelines may fail to meet the personal and individual needs of their subjects. This is a thought-provoking topic for policy and guideline authors, as well as for the professionals who counsel patients through decision-making processes in maternity care and wider fields of healthcare.

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Bioethics and Birth

McGrath¹,

Phillips²,

Ray‐Barruel³

2009

Monash Bioethics Review

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This article presents thefindings of qualitative research which explored, from themothers' perspective, the process of decision-making about mode of delivery for a subsequent birth after a previous Caesarean Section. Incontradiction to the clinical literature, themajority ofmothers in this study were strongly of the opinion that a vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC) posed a higher risk than an elective caesarean (EC). From themothers' perspective, risk discussions were primarily valuable for gaining support fortheir pre-determined choice, rather than obtaining information. The findings posit ethical concerns withregards to informed consent and professional obstetric practice ata time when there isa documented and worrying trend towards an increase inbirths by caesarean section (CS). 22.1

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‘I wanted desperately to have a natural birth’: Mothers’ insights on Vaginal Birth After Caesarean (VBAC)

Cited by 23 publications

References 2 publications

‘Groping through the fog’: a metasynthesis of women's experiences on VBAC (Vaginal birth after Caesarean section)

‘Groping through the fog’: a metasynthesis of women's experiences on VBAC (Vaginal birth after Caesarean section)

Birth after emergency caesarean section: Women’s perspectives on the factors influencing their decision making

Bioethics and Birth

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