Reasons for preference

Number

%

Preferred mode of delivery (n = 327)

Vaginal delivery

275

84.1

Caesarean delivery

52

15.9

Ω Reasons for preference of vaginal delivery (n = 275)

Vaginal delivery is the natural way of delivery

117

42.5

Vaginal delivery is safer for the baby

164

59.6

Vaginal delivery has quicker post-delivery recovery

156

56.7

Vaginal delivery is safer for the mother

18

6.5

Vaginal delivery has less overall pain

158

57.4

Ω Reasons for preference of caesarean delivery (n = 52)

Caesarean delivery is safer for the baby

10

19.2

Fear of vaginal delivery

36

69.2

Caesarean delivery has less overall pain

15

28.8

Caesarean delivery has less vaginal trauma

13

25.0

Caesarean delivery allows a better control of timing of birth

12

35.5

Previous negative experience in previous vaginal deliveries, such as still birth or neonatal death

18

34.6

Previous Caesarean delivery

31

59.6

Caesarean section is safer for the baby if mother has HIV

24

46.2

Ω Experiences and perceptions of childbirth

* Positive experience on vaginal delivery

130

83.3

* Negative experience on vaginal delivery

33

21.2

¥ Positive experience of caesarean delivery

12

18.8

¥ Negative experience of caesarean delivery

28

43.8

∞ Perceived positive experiences on caesarean delivery

112

57.1

∞ Perceived negative experiences on caesarean delivery

12

6.1

α Negative perception of caesarean delivery, but no experience of such delivery

220

94.8

β Negative perception of vaginal delivery, but no experience of such delivery

28

16.5

Ω Whose responsibility for decision-making on mode of delivery (n = 327)

Mothers

259

79.2

Family members

34

10.4

Spouses

90

27.5

Health workers

271

82.9

The mothers condition (obstetric indications)

212

64.8

The unborn baby’s condition

120

36.7

The risks to the mother or baby mode of delivery

230

70.3