Vaginal Birth after Cesarean Section: Provider Perspectives and Maternal Decision Making

Although evidence suggests vaginal birth after cesarean section (VBAC) leads to fewer complications in subsequent pregnancies, lower risk of maternal morbidity, and fewer cesarean sections overall, VBAC rates in Florida are at 5.5%, notably lower than the U.S. average of 8.0%. This exploratory study...

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Main Authors: Isabella Chan, Emily Bronson, Allison Cantor
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of North Florida 2015-08-01
Series:Florida Public Health Review
Online Access:https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1171&context=fphr
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author Isabella Chan
Emily Bronson
Allison Cantor
author_facet Isabella Chan
Emily Bronson
Allison Cantor
author_sort Isabella Chan
collection DOAJ
description Although evidence suggests vaginal birth after cesarean section (VBAC) leads to fewer complications in subsequent pregnancies, lower risk of maternal morbidity, and fewer cesarean sections overall, VBAC rates in Florida are at 5.5%, notably lower than the U.S. average of 8.0%. This exploratory study examines the factors contributing to these low VBAC rates through a qualitative investigation using grounded theory. Semi-structured interviews with women and maternity care providers were conducted to explore attitudes, motivations, and experiences regarding VBAC. Findings reveal a distinction between providers' and women's attitudes toward and experiences with VBAC and identify factors involved in decision-making. Three themes emerged: (1) patient-provider interactions; (2) perceptions of risks; and (3) rejection/adoption of biomedical authority. Women weighed the risks and benefits of VBAC through their perceptions and experiences of physical and emotional consequences, whereas providers relied on their experiences with medical practice, legal outcomes, policy, and evidence-based medicine. This exploratory research identifies a critical need for further attention to the disconnects between providers’ and women’s perspectives on and experiences with VBAC to address the tensions between biomedical and alternative forms of birth knowledge better and develop comprehensive VBAC guidelines that integrate the needs and concerns of women and providers.
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spelling doaj.art-d02b18260adf45e7bf59f8661e20e2c32022-12-21T19:56:49ZengUniversity of North FloridaFlorida Public Health Review2643-62482015-08-01124148Vaginal Birth after Cesarean Section: Provider Perspectives and Maternal Decision MakingIsabella Chan0Emily Bronson1Allison Cantor2Department of Global Health, University of South Florida College of Public HealthLawton and Rhea Chiles Center for Healthy Mothers and Babies, University of South FloridaDepartment of Anthropology, University of South FloridaAlthough evidence suggests vaginal birth after cesarean section (VBAC) leads to fewer complications in subsequent pregnancies, lower risk of maternal morbidity, and fewer cesarean sections overall, VBAC rates in Florida are at 5.5%, notably lower than the U.S. average of 8.0%. This exploratory study examines the factors contributing to these low VBAC rates through a qualitative investigation using grounded theory. Semi-structured interviews with women and maternity care providers were conducted to explore attitudes, motivations, and experiences regarding VBAC. Findings reveal a distinction between providers' and women's attitudes toward and experiences with VBAC and identify factors involved in decision-making. Three themes emerged: (1) patient-provider interactions; (2) perceptions of risks; and (3) rejection/adoption of biomedical authority. Women weighed the risks and benefits of VBAC through their perceptions and experiences of physical and emotional consequences, whereas providers relied on their experiences with medical practice, legal outcomes, policy, and evidence-based medicine. This exploratory research identifies a critical need for further attention to the disconnects between providers’ and women’s perspectives on and experiences with VBAC to address the tensions between biomedical and alternative forms of birth knowledge better and develop comprehensive VBAC guidelines that integrate the needs and concerns of women and providers.https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1171&context=fphr
spellingShingle Isabella Chan
Emily Bronson
Allison Cantor
Vaginal Birth after Cesarean Section: Provider Perspectives and Maternal Decision Making
Florida Public Health Review
title Vaginal Birth after Cesarean Section: Provider Perspectives and Maternal Decision Making
title_full Vaginal Birth after Cesarean Section: Provider Perspectives and Maternal Decision Making
title_fullStr Vaginal Birth after Cesarean Section: Provider Perspectives and Maternal Decision Making
title_full_unstemmed Vaginal Birth after Cesarean Section: Provider Perspectives and Maternal Decision Making
title_short Vaginal Birth after Cesarean Section: Provider Perspectives and Maternal Decision Making
title_sort vaginal birth after cesarean section provider perspectives and maternal decision making
url https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1171&context=fphr
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