Exploring Perceptions of Cesarean Sections among Postpartum Women in Nigeria: A Qualitative Study
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Results
2.1. Participants’ Socio-Demographic Characteristics
2.2. Primary Theme: Perceptions of Cesarean Sections among Postpartum Women
2.2.1. Sub-Theme 1: Limited Understanding of Cesarean Section Reasons
“Interactions with health care providers were pleasant. However, I was still faced with little information since I needed to fully understand the caesarean section and its implications in greater detail… the additional requirements such as extra blood bank, and injections needed and their costs.”(FGD, 2)
“A high blood pressure was a problem for me while I was recovering from a CS operation. The healthcare providers did not tell me to keep taking the medicine to regulate my blood pressure.”(IDI, 6)
“My husband and I were given information about the caesarean section, so we chose it without any confusion… The process was meant to keep the baby and I from getting stressed out during labour… However, we were given limited information on additional costs spent during the CS operation, about which we were not notified, expected, or planned. It put a lot of pressure on my husband to come up with extra money for the unexpected expense.”(IDI, 10)
2.2.2. Sub-Theme 2: Diverse Emotional Responses
“I felt calmer and more at ease when I knew that a caesarean section was an option for giving birth. I read more about the caesarean process and prayed for a safe, trouble-free operation instead of worrying about the issue… I am excited I had a safe delivery.”(IDI, 3)
“It was two weeks ago that I had my first child through a caesarean section, and everything went smoothly… I was emotionally stabilized since I was advised that the only way to have a safe delivery was to overcome fear, which causes anxiety and difficulties during childbirth.”(FGD, 1)
“My CS was an emergency, I decided to go for it when labor became too stressful and prolonged… I am glad I took the decision since the CS was truly a lifesaving option for me and my baby… Now, I can suggest CS to anyone experiencing similar labor or delivery challenges.”(IDI, 7)
“My hopes were for a natural birth experience and for there to be no thought of a caesarean section during the birth. When I realized, I had to go for CS, I was disappointed… I had an emergency CS, …I had a delay in breastfeeding my newborn”(IDI, 1)
“I was expecting a vaginal birth… However, at the 8-month scan check-up, the nurse who tested for a fatal heartbeat was shocked that my baby was not yet in the anterior position… I was scheduled for scans every two weeks, but the findings suggest that the baby was in a transverse position. As a result, I was advised to undergo a caesarean section to avoid complications and have a safe delivery.”(IDI, 4)
“Emotionally, I was disturbed since I had a strong faith in God’s word, to have testimony to encourage other women to deliver safely through vaginal birth like the “Hebrew women.”(FGD, 2)
2.2.3. Sub-Theme 3: Societal Pressures and Cultural Expectations
“According to women in our society, caesarean section is for lazy women who want to spend their husband’s money and also lack the strength to deliver the baby on their own.”(IDI, 5)
“The majority of people believe that caesarean sections are not God’s plan for women. We should deliver naturally because we were born naturally.”(FGD, 1)
“I had never had any direct societal or cultural conflict over child delivery because this was my first experience, but I knew that my parents and in-laws wanted me to have a natural birth rather than a CS.”(IDI, 8)
“I have been told severally that CS is a 50:50 chance for a woman. That means she has a 50% chance of surviving and a 50% chance of dying during CS.”(FGD, 1)
2.2.4. Sub-Theme 4: Support Systems and Recovery
“During my recovery from my caesarean section, I had a friend who cared for me at the hospital, and my husband was highly helpful in every aspect of the journey, as was my mother-in-law… This helped in quickening my recovery period”(IDI, 9)
“My husband and I made the decision to have a caesarean section, so he was very supportive during the postoperative recovery stage. His support fastened my recovery”(IDI, 11)
“Friends, family members, and my husband were all there to help me recover from CS… Their presence and support were very helpful… My first birth was through normal delivery… From my experience, recovery from CS is more difficult than recovery from normal delivery”(FGD, 2)
“I experienced no difficulties throughout my postoperative recovery because I took all of the medications given and cleaned the wounds properly. The advice and directions provided by healthcare workers have been greatly helpful to my CS recovery”(IDI, 3)
“My encounters with the medical staff before, during, and after the caesarean section were pleasant, and I was respected for making the decision. This aided my speedy recovery after giving birth.”(FGD, 1)
2.2.5. Sub-Theme 5: Varied Effects on Future Childbirth Preferences
“I had always wanted to have a vaginal delivery… Caesarean section is not a death sentence, but we must pay attention to the health care providers for the child’s and mother’s safety… CS is far more expensive than normal delivery”(IDI, 6)
“I describe my experience of having a caesarean section, which was quite uncomfortable due to the series of intravenous injections, cleansing of the first skin layer around my vagina, and monthly hospital visits for proper supervision… Those who had vaginal deliveries did not have those experiences.”(FGD, 1)
“My experience with a caesarean section has had no negative effect on my thoughts or preferences for future childbirth… Because, depending on the child position and my health capability, I’m ok whether the next pregnancy is vaginal or caesarean.”(IDI, 2)
“If I ever want another child, I would like to have a caesarean section… However, the most important factor influencing the selection will be financial capacity. If we can afford CS, we will go for it.”(IDI, 7)
3. Materials and Methods
3.1. Study Setting
3.2. Study Design
3.3. Participant Recruitment and Sampling
3.4. Data Collection
3.5. Data Analysis
3.6. Ethical Considerations
3.7. Enhancing the Study’s Rigor
3.8. Measures for Trustworthiness
4. Discussion
5. Strengths and Limitations
6. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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No of Participants (n = 24) | Interview Category | LGA | Residence | Age/Age Range (in Years) | Education |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
7 | FGD 1 | Ibadan North West | Urban | 22–49 | Primary/Secondary/Post-Secondary |
6 | FGD 2 | Ido | Rural | 23–48 | None/Primary/Secondary |
1 | IDI 1 | Ibadan North | Urban | 32 | Secondary |
1 | IDI 2 | Ibadan North | Urban | 26 | Primary |
1 | IDI 3 | Ibadan North | Urban | 42 | None |
1 | IDI 4 | Ibadan North | Urban | 43 | Post-Secondary |
1 | IDI 5 | Ibadan North | Urban | 33 | Primary |
1 | IDI 6 | Ibadan North | Urban | 28 | Secondary |
1 | IDI 7 | Akinyele | Rural | 40 | Secondary |
1 | IDI 8 | Akinyele | Rural | 32 | Post-Secondary |
1 | IDI 9 | Akinyele | Rural | 22 | Secondary |
1 | IDI 10 | Akinyele | Rural | 34 | None |
1 | IDI 11 | Akinyele | Rural | 37 | Secondary |
Primary Theme: Perceptions of Cesarean Sections among Postpartum Women | |
---|---|
Sub-Themes | Overview of Sub-Theme |
Limited Understanding of Cesarean Section Reasons | Women reported that they had a limited understanding of the medical reasons behind their cesarean sections. Communication challenges with healthcare providers were also identified. |
Diverse Emotional Responses | Some participants expressed relief and gratitude for a safe delivery, whereas others described feelings of disappointment and a sense of loss for not experiencing a vaginal birth. |
Societal Pressures and Cultural Expectations | Participants reported societal pressures to have a “natural” birth, and how cultural beliefs influenced their perceptions of childbirth. |
Support Systems and Recovery | The presence of strong support systems, including partners, family members, and healthcare providers, was instrumental in facilitating postoperative recovery. |
Varied Effects on Future Childbirth Preferences | Some women saw CS as a means to ensure the safety of both mother and baby; others expressed a desire for vaginal births in subsequent pregnancies. |
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Michael, T.O.; Agbana, R.D.; Naidoo, K. Exploring Perceptions of Cesarean Sections among Postpartum Women in Nigeria: A Qualitative Study. Women 2024, 4, 73-85. https://doi.org/10.3390/women4010006
Michael TO, Agbana RD, Naidoo K. Exploring Perceptions of Cesarean Sections among Postpartum Women in Nigeria: A Qualitative Study. Women. 2024; 4(1):73-85. https://doi.org/10.3390/women4010006
Chicago/Turabian StyleMichael, Turnwait Otu, Richard Dele Agbana, and Kammila Naidoo. 2024. "Exploring Perceptions of Cesarean Sections among Postpartum Women in Nigeria: A Qualitative Study" Women 4, no. 1: 73-85. https://doi.org/10.3390/women4010006