Motherhood Choices of women attending Antenatal Care in a Tertiary Level Hospital in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria
Journal Title: IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences (IOSR-JDMS) - Year 2017, Vol 16, Issue 3
Abstract
Introduction: Human reproduction is the primary responsibility of women, so the choices they make in this regard will continue to shape obstetric practice in different parts of world. Methods: During the 2months period of the study of women attending antenatal care in the study centre, pretested, structured partly pre-coded questionnaires were used to sample a cross section of suitable consenting women’s motherhood preferences and the reasons for such choices. Results: Out of the 452 women in the study population, 96.7% preferred to deliver vaginally, positing that it was the natural route of delivery. A mere 14.4% of the respondents would demand labour anaesthesia, while the majority (67.6%) were not sure they would demand labour analgesia. Eighty-nine (20.3%) of the mothers would not accept a medically indicated caesarean section even as the only safe option for delivery, and 10 (2.3%) would not mind if their babies died in the course of such refusal. Among those who would refuse caesarean section, a vast majority (66.3%) felt it was against God’s plan for human procreation. Age, parity and booking status of the women did not influence their refusal of caesarean section, whereas women with lower levels of education (p=0.033) and those who engaged in less skilled occupations were more likely to decline medically indicated caesarean section (p= 0.000). Over half (55.0%) of the mothers preferred to have 4 children, while only 24.7% of the women felt 3 or less children were appropriate. Conclusion: Nigeria is a pronatalistic society where the majority of mothers prefer to deliver 4 or more children. Due to cultural and religious misconceptions, some Nigerian women decline medically indicated caesarean section with adverse maternal and perinatal consequences. The need for continued effort toward the education of the girl- child and public enlightenment on the need for Nigerians to embrace time tested maternity care interventions have become imperative.
Authors and Affiliations
Dr Emmanuel Columba Inyang-Etoh. (Fmcog, Fwacs), Dr Aniefiok Jackson Umoiyoho. (Fwacs, Fics)
Keywords
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- EP ID EP593528
- DOI 10.9790/0853-160303118124
- Views 56
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