Maternal decision making in obstetrical interventions

Abstract

Rates of induction in the United States have doubled since 1990 to 22.5% of births in 2006 while cesarean section rates are estimated to have increased 50% in the last decade to 31.8% of births in 2007. There is evidence that obstetrical interventions used for nonmedical indications carry the risk for uterine rupture, hemorrhage, and maternal or fetal morbidity or mortality. The purpose of this integrated review was to investigate what influenced women to make these choices, their perception of risk and their knowledge of potential complications of obstetrical interventions. This review of literature was conducted using the CINAHL and MEDLINE databases using various key terms including "induction", "augmentation" "awareness", "cesarean", and "decision making." Nine studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. The literature suggests that women are not always included in decision making, are not fully educated on the risks, and have, over time, become more willing to accept obstetrical interventions. It has also been shown that women do not assess their own individual risk based on statistical odds, instead they judge the risk based on their understanding of complications associated with their pregnancy. The evidence supports that women need to be properly educated by caregivers and that positive natural birth experiences be portrayed to combat the influence of family/friends and social media on their decision making process. Nurses, midwifes and other healthcare professionals can use this information to assess a women's degree of knowledge and ensure they are making their decisions as informed as possible. More interventional research needs to be done regarding education and decreasing obstetrical intervention rates.

Notes

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Thesis Completion

2010

Semester

Summer

Advisor

Guimond, Betsy

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.)

College

College of Nursing

Degree Program

Nursing

Subjects

Dissertations, Academic -- Nursing;Nursing -- Dissertations, Academic

Format

Print

Identifier

DP0022462

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Document Type

Honors in the Major Thesis

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