EXPLORATION OF WOMEN BIRTH EXPERIENCES ROLE IN DECISIDING THE TYPE OF NEXT DELIVERY

The women's ultimate satisfaction of birth is influenced by their expectations
and real experience. A birth experience is a reason for increasing cesarean rate based on mother's
demand. This study aimed to clarify the role of previous birth experience on women's decisionmaking about the type of next delivery.
Materials & Methods: This study is a qualitative research with descriptive-exploratory design. A
purposive sampling was done in all women with at least once natural delivery or c-section or both
who referred to health centers of Sari until six months postpartum. Sampling was continued until data
saturation. After interviewing with 16 participants consisting of 10 mothers with normal vaginal
delivery, and 6 cesarean sections, data saturation was achieved. Face to face semi-structured interview
was used to explore the experiences. Coding and data analyses were done during sampling by using
Graham and Landman content analysis method.
Results: Initial codes were 166 with two main themes ; effective factors on selection of natural
delivery, and cesarean. Four sub-themes that formed effective factors in the natural birth were pain
management, stress management, experiencing natural childbirth outcomes, and low costs. Lack of
awareness during cesarean, faster process of cesarean, the consequences of cesarean, having
knowledge and staff’s behavior were 5 sub-themes in effective factors on selection of cesarean
delivery category.
Conclusion: Positive experiences lead to positive attitude of the mother about vaginal birth. Based on
the results, women often chose cesarean as an approach to deal with negative experiences of natural
childbirth. It seems that many factors that lead to negative birth experiences could be corrected. So,
attention to the encouraging or inhibiting factors in both of natural and cesarean delivery can reduce
the demand for cesarean