TY - JOUR
T1 - Individuals' Experiences of Having an Unplanned Cesarean Birth
T2 - A Qualitative Analysis
AU - Ditosto, Julia D.
AU - Leziak, Karolina
AU - Yee, Lynn M.
AU - Badreldin, Nevert
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.. All rights reserved.
PY - 2022/1/18
Y1 - 2022/1/18
N2 - Objective The experience of an unplanned cesarean birth may be a risk factor for mood disorders and other challenges in the postpartum period, yet qualitative data on the patient experience are limited. We sought to understand individuals' experiences of having an unplanned cesarean birth. Study Design This was a secondary analysis of a prospective qualitative investigation among low-income postpartum individuals at a single-, tertiary-care center in which the primary aim was to evaluate patients' postpartum pain experience after a cesarean birth. Participants completed a 60-minute face-to-face interview on postpartum days 2 to 3. Only participants who labored prior to their cesarean birth were included in this analysis. Transcripts were analyzed by two separate authors using the constant comparative method. Themes are illustrated using direct quotes. Results A total of 22 individuals were included in this analysis; the majority (n =16, 72.7%) experienced a primary cesarean birth. Over half (n =12, 54.5%) identified as Hispanic and one-third (n =7, 31.8%) identified as non-Hispanic Black race and ethnicity. Four themes regarding the experience of a cesarean birth after labor were identified, including feelings of anguish, belief that vaginal birth is normal, poor experiences with care teams, and feelings of self-efficacy. Subthemes were identified and outlined. Conclusion In this cohort, individuals who experienced an unplanned cesarean birth after labor expressed feelings of self-blame, failure, and mistrust. Given the association of unplanned cesarean birth with mood disorders in the postpartum period, efforts to enhance communication and support may offer a means of improving individual experiences. Key Points In this cohort, many individuals expressed negative feelings after an unplanned cesarean birth. Conversely, positive themes related to feelings of self-efficacy were identified. Efforts to enhance communication and support after an unplanned cesarean birth are warranted.
AB - Objective The experience of an unplanned cesarean birth may be a risk factor for mood disorders and other challenges in the postpartum period, yet qualitative data on the patient experience are limited. We sought to understand individuals' experiences of having an unplanned cesarean birth. Study Design This was a secondary analysis of a prospective qualitative investigation among low-income postpartum individuals at a single-, tertiary-care center in which the primary aim was to evaluate patients' postpartum pain experience after a cesarean birth. Participants completed a 60-minute face-to-face interview on postpartum days 2 to 3. Only participants who labored prior to their cesarean birth were included in this analysis. Transcripts were analyzed by two separate authors using the constant comparative method. Themes are illustrated using direct quotes. Results A total of 22 individuals were included in this analysis; the majority (n =16, 72.7%) experienced a primary cesarean birth. Over half (n =12, 54.5%) identified as Hispanic and one-third (n =7, 31.8%) identified as non-Hispanic Black race and ethnicity. Four themes regarding the experience of a cesarean birth after labor were identified, including feelings of anguish, belief that vaginal birth is normal, poor experiences with care teams, and feelings of self-efficacy. Subthemes were identified and outlined. Conclusion In this cohort, individuals who experienced an unplanned cesarean birth after labor expressed feelings of self-blame, failure, and mistrust. Given the association of unplanned cesarean birth with mood disorders in the postpartum period, efforts to enhance communication and support may offer a means of improving individual experiences. Key Points In this cohort, many individuals expressed negative feelings after an unplanned cesarean birth. Conversely, positive themes related to feelings of self-efficacy were identified. Efforts to enhance communication and support after an unplanned cesarean birth are warranted.
KW - cesarean birth
KW - qualitative analysis
KW - unplanned cesarean birth
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U2 - 10.1055/a-1877-6138
DO - 10.1055/a-1877-6138
M3 - Article
C2 - 35709737
AN - SCOPUS:85138640365
SN - 0735-1631
VL - 41
SP - 106
EP - 109
JO - American journal of perinatology
JF - American journal of perinatology
IS - 1
ER -