Selection of Delivery Method and Its Related Factors in Pregnant Women of Shiraz in 2016

Background: Decisions on the choice of delivery method are influenced by various factors such as family and social aspects, medical advice, previous delivery experience, and current pregnancy conditions. Objectives: The present study aimed to determine the frequency of delivery methods and their related factors in pregnant women in Shiraz. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 3940 pregnant women in Shiraz in 2016. All public hospitals with maternal care units in Shiraz were selected. Stratified sampling method, proportionate to the sample size, was used so that the number of registered pregnant women, during the year before the study, was determined for each center and the subjects were selected by convenience sampling. Data were collected through a checklist and was analyzed performing One-way ANOVA and chi-square test with SPSS 20 at the significance level of 0.05. Results: The mean age of the pregnant women participating in the study was 29 ± 5.7 years. A total of 2003 pregnant women (50.8%) decided to give birth through cesarean section (C-section), 1849 (46.9%) through standard vaginal delivery, and 68 (1.7%) in water. The most prevalent reasons cited by pregnant women were fewer complications in NVD, fewer maternal and obstetric problems in C-section, and comfort of delivery in water. The age of women requesting C-section was significantly higher than those selecting NVD and delivery in water (P < 0.001). The prevalence of elective C-section was substantially higher in urban residents and women with higher education levels (P < 0.001). Physicians’ recommendation was mentioned as the most important reason for elective C-section by pregnant women (70.6%). Multivariable logistic regression showed that the fathers high school education, the age of mother, and living in a suburban area had a significant effect on choosing C/S as a method of delivery by pregnant women. Conclusions: Great inclination of pregnant women and physicians’ recommendation for elective C-section are the problems faced by the healthcare system. It can be minimized by planning and making effective interventions and through changing the attitude and culture of the community and increasing knowledge about the complications of C-section.