Caesarean section in nulliparous women: factors influencing decision-making process and outcomes for women- The MAMMI study caesarean section strand

This study will find out the factors, or combination of several factors, that influence the decision to perform a caesarean section (CS) in first-time mothers in Ireland, the health problems women experience in the first year after the birth and what women, midwives and obstetricians believe are the reasons behind the decision to perform a CS.This will be achieved by following 2600 first-time mothers from pregnancy up to 1 year after birth (postpartum).The information will be collected using self-completed postal surveys from women in early pregnancy and at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months postpartum, from consenting womens hospital maternity records, in-depth interviews with a sub-group of women who birthed by CS and with midwives and obstetricians who are involved in decision-making for CS.Factors relating to the pre-pregnancy, pregnancy and labour time periods will be identified through statistical tests. The number of women experiencing health problems after CS will be compared with those experienced by women who birth vaginally. Information from interviews with women, midwives and obstetricians will give their perspectives of factors, non-medical and medical, or situations that influence the decision to perform a CS.This study will provide reliable data on the combination or pattern of factors, non-medical and medical, that influence the decision to perform CS, and the health problems associated with CS. Pooling these findings will provide a complete picture on why almost one-third of first-time mothers birth by CS in Ireland. Understanding all of these issues has the potential to help reduce the rate of CS in first-time mothers which, in the long term, may help reduce the number of repeat CSs in second-time mothers. Findings will be shared with women, healthcare professionals and the public through professional journals, conferences, media and womens groups.

Award Date: 26 May 2016
Award Value: €255779
Principal Investigator: Professor Sunita Panda
Host Institution: Trinity College Dublin
Scheme: Research Training Fellowships for Healthcare Professionals