A Descriptive Study to Assess the Choice of Birth among the Antenatal Mothers in Selected Hospital at Pondicherry

Abstract

Background: A young healthy woman can comfortably go through normal childbirth. If there was complication with pregnancy or labour, a caesarean birth is safer than vaginal birth. All operations carry some risk. A caesarean involves major surgery and complication. Sometimes, a caesarean birth is needed to save the life of a mother or baby, in which case it is without question the safest option. Over the past several decades, research regarding the risks and benefits of caesarean delivery as compared with vaginal delivery has proliferated, yet which delivery method is best, and for whom, is still unresolved. Aim: This study was aimed to assess the choice of birth among the antenatal mothers. Subject and Methods: A descriptive study was conducted among antenatal mothers in antenatal ward in selected hospital puducherry. Sample size was 80, selected through purposive sampling. Data collected by using structured interview schedule related to socio demographic and obstetrical variables such as age, education, income, gravida, occupation, residence and choice of birth. Results: Majority 72 (90%) of the mothers were in the age group of below 20- 30 years, 38(47.5%) of mothers had secondary education. 58 (73%) of mothers were having the family income of above 5000, 78 (98%) of mothers were homemakers, 45(56%) of mothers were residing in urban area, 52(65%) of mothers were primi gravida 76 (95%) of mothers were preferring normal delivery. There was no statistically significant association of choice of birth with any of the socio demographic and obstetrical variables of antenatal mothers Conclusion: The study revealed that majority of the mothers preferring normal delivery irrespective of age income, education, residence, gravida, and occupation. Moreover expressing the choice either vaginal or caesarean birth was inherently problematic until the time of delivery, unless the mothers necessarily choose the choice.