A decade of wishes-changes in maternal preference of the mode of delivery among Polish women over the last decade

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The maternal preference of mode of delivery is an important problem in respect of patient’s autonomy and shared decision-making. The objective of the study was to obtain information about women’s preferences of the mode of delivery and knowledge about the cesarean section and its’ consequences. Materials and Methods: The study was based on a survey filled in by 1175 women in 2010 and 1033 women in 2020. Respondents were asked about their preference of mode of delivery, possible factors influencing their decision and their knowledge about risks and benefits of cesarean section. Results: There was a significant increase in the rate of women who declared cesarean section as their preferred mode of delivery, from 43.97% in 2010 to 56.03% in 2020 (p < 0.05). In 2010 26.51% of women thought that choice of mode of delivery should be their autonomic decision, 46.36% preferred decision-sharing with their obstetrician, 25.64% thought that cesarean section should be performed for medical indications only (respectively 34.86%, 44.45% and 19.38% in 2020). Conclusions: There has been a significant increase in the rate of Polish women who prefer cesarean delivery over the last decade, as well as in the rate of women who consider the mode of delivery as their autonomic decision.