Several researchers reviewed sources of information, other than prenatal classes, that were used by women to guide decision making for a cesarean surgery (Lagan, Sinclair, & Kernohan, 2010; Morris & McInerney, 2010; Munro, Kornelson, & Hutton, 2009). Munro et al. (2009) conducted a qualitative study to explore the influence of birth stories and cultural knowledge on women’s decisions to have cesarean surgeries. The sample consisted of 17 Canadian first-time mothers who requested to deliver by cesarean. Analysis of the participants’ narratives revealed the influence of birth stories and media in women’s decision making. Often, the vaginal birth stories made cesarean surgery sound like a better option because of the shortened process and controlled environment. The cultural knowledge retrieved through books, the Internet, and television often increased fears of vaginal birth. Morris and McInerney (2010) examined the portrayal of childbirth in 85 reality-based television shows in the United States. A qualitative content analysis indicated that reality-based childbirth programs do not accurately portray the birth experience or evidence-based practice. Most shows focused on complications, interventions, and the powerlessness of women (Morris & McInerney, 2010). Lagan et al. (2010) examined why and how pregnant women use the Internet as a source of information and how it affected their decision making. An Internet-based survey was conducted in which 613 women from 24 countries participated. Most (94.0%) women used the Internet to enhance the information provided by their health-care provider because many of the participants (48.6%) were not satisfied with the information provided by health-care professionals and (46.5%) felt there was not enough time to ask their providers questions. According to the results, 83.0% of the women reported having their birth decision influenced by the Internet (Lagan et al., 2010).
Although women use various sources to learn about cesarean surgery, further research is needed to explore the information women are provided, what information women use, and what information pregnant women want about cesarean surgery. Increasing women’s level of knowledge about cesarean surgery will empower women to make informed choices. This pilot study was a first step to develop an increased understanding of the women’s decision-making processes. The outcomes of the research may affect how we care for our patients, may increase patient satisfaction, and ultimately may decrease the number of women choosing cesarean surgery. The specific research questions were as follows:
1
What are the reasons a woman would choose a nonmedically indicated cesarean surgery?
2
At what point in the pregnancy was the decision made to have a cesarean surgery?
3
What information or counseling was given to the woman about cesarean surgery prior to birth?
4
Was the woman satisfied with the information provided and with her childbirth decision?
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METHODS
Design and Setting
A descriptive study design was used. Such a design was used for describing a phenomenon and its associated characteristics. Descriptive research cannot imply causal relationships, but it may help initiate the creation of hypotheses for future research (Polit & Beck, 2012). This research was conducted in a large urban teaching hospital in New England with more than 4,000 births a year and a cesarean surgery rate of more than 30%. Recruitment took place on the 38-bed postpartum unit.
Sample
A convenience sample of postpartum women who had a cesarean surgery during a 3-month period was studied. The inclusion criteria for the women were
a
can read English at a sixth-grade level;
b
had a cesarean birth of a live-term infant;
c
consents to participate; and
d
is ≥18 years of age.
Apart from the inclusion criteria, there were no explicit exclusion criteria.
Instrument
Data were collected using the Cesarean Birth Decision Survey (Appendix), a self-administered questionnaire developed by the investigator. The questionnaire consisted of demographic data and 72 questions: 57 yes or no questions that addressed problems with the pregnancy, reasons for the cesarean surgery, and what information was provided and by whom; 15 short-answer questions addressed additional comments as well as how the participant ranked the importance of reasons for the cesarean and information provided. The demographic data included age, race, marital status, educational background, religion, private or clinic physician, and gestational age at time of birth. To protect the participant’s identity, no names or medical identification numbers were recorded.
The instrument used in the study was tested for validity. Validity addresses the issue of whether or not the instrument measures what it is supposed to measure. The evidence for this survey was based on themes that emerged from an earlier unpublished pilot study (Puia, 2010) and the judgment of a panel of experts. The expert panel consisted of four nurses, all of whom were experienced in obstetrics. Two nurses were labor and delivery staff nurses, each with more than 20 years’ clinical experience. The other two nurses were masters prepared; one was a perinatal clinical nurse specialist and the other was a manager of a postpartum unit. The panel members were asked to examine the clarity and content of each item. On the basis of feedback from the content experts, editorial changes were made. Secondly, the first 10 patients who completed the questionnaire were asked to comment on their ability to understand the survey questions and to point out any specific ambiguities. No further revisions to the survey were indicated after the participant evaluation.
Data Collection Procedure
Following approval by the institutional review board (IRB) of the participating institution and the University of Connecticut, the principle investigator (PI) began weekly rounds to identify possible participants. Eligible participants were invited to participate in the study. The researcher provided an explanation of the study including its purpose, use of results, and anonymity of the participants. Women were informed that completion of the survey was completely voluntary. All results were anonymous and the women would not be contacted in the future. Completion of the study implied the women’s consent to participate. The survey was then distributed to the women and took about 15 min to complete. The surveys were either immediately returned to the PI or returned at the participants’ convenience to a designated secure box on the unit prior to discharge. Data were collected from January through April 2012.
Data Analysis
After the data were collected, they were coded to allow for data entry. The survey response data were checked against the data file for any data entry errors. Analysis was performed using SPSS software for Windows version 18. Descriptive statistics were used to illustrate the participants’ characteristics. The frequencies and percentages of the categorical variables were displayed. Comparisons of categorical variables were analyzed using Pearson chi-square test, except for when the assumptions of the test were not satisfied, and then the Fisher’s exact test was conducted. Mean, standard deviation (SD), and ranges were calculated for continuous variables. Differences in means were compared using independent samples t tests. Those participant characteristics with ordinal scales were analyzed with the Mann-Whitney U test.