Preference and determinants of delivery mode in pregnant women with one cesarean scar: a cross-sectional study in two urban Ugandan public hospitals

Abstract Background The number of cesarean sections among women with a previous scar has continued to increase in Uganda. Such women can opt for a trial of labor, and the success rate for spontaneous vaginal delivery is 60–80%. This study assessed the preference and determinants of delivery mode amo...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Brenda Nabawanuka, Tom Ngabirano, Joyce Nankumbi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-02-01
Series:BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-025-07263-2
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1823861506298609664
author Brenda Nabawanuka
Tom Ngabirano
Joyce Nankumbi
author_facet Brenda Nabawanuka
Tom Ngabirano
Joyce Nankumbi
author_sort Brenda Nabawanuka
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background The number of cesarean sections among women with a previous scar has continued to increase in Uganda. Such women can opt for a trial of labor, and the success rate for spontaneous vaginal delivery is 60–80%. This study assessed the preference and determinants of delivery mode among pregnant women with one cesarean scar. Methods A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among pregnant women who were attending antenatal care in two public hospitals in Uganda from 1st September to 1st October 2022. Kish Lisle formula was used to get a total sample of 169 pregnant women with one previous scar and nonrecurring indication for cesarean section. These were consecutively recruited into the study, and a modified Poisson regression was performed to identify factors associated with the preferred mode of delivery. Results The mean age of the participants was 28 (4.88) years. Out of 169 women, the majority 137 (81%) preferred a trial of labor. Mothers who preferred to have more than four children were more likely to opt for a trial of labor (aPVR = 0.27, CI;1.01–1.49, p = 0.009). Mothers who were concerned about the cost associated with cesarean section were more likely to choose a trial of labor (aPVR = 1.2, CI;1.01–1.49, p = 0.03), and mothers who perceived that a cesarean section affects body image (aPVR = 3.06, CI;1.39–6.75, p = 0.03) and being employed (aPVR = 0.84, CI:0.74–0.96, p = 0.01) were more likely to prefer a cesarean section. Conclusion Trial of labor after cesarean remains the preferred mode of delivery among women. The desire to have more children and concern about medical expenses increased the likelihood of having a vaginal birth preference. Women with body image concerns and being employed increased the likelihood of a cesarean section preference. It is recommended to consider a trial of labor after cesarean section for all women with nonrecurring indications for cesarean section. Empowering women through health education on the risks and benefits of cesarean section helps them make an informed choice.
format Article
id doaj-art-d11a4ee1433f4744ad5c2bd7ffcb18aa
institution Kabale University
issn 1471-2393
language English
publishDate 2025-02-01
publisher BMC
record_format Article
series BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
spelling doaj-art-d11a4ee1433f4744ad5c2bd7ffcb18aa2025-02-09T12:58:57ZengBMCBMC Pregnancy and Childbirth1471-23932025-02-012511810.1186/s12884-025-07263-2Preference and determinants of delivery mode in pregnant women with one cesarean scar: a cross-sectional study in two urban Ugandan public hospitalsBrenda Nabawanuka0Tom Ngabirano1Joyce Nankumbi2Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health Sciences, Mountains of Moon UniversityDepartment of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere UniversityDepartment of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere UniversityAbstract Background The number of cesarean sections among women with a previous scar has continued to increase in Uganda. Such women can opt for a trial of labor, and the success rate for spontaneous vaginal delivery is 60–80%. This study assessed the preference and determinants of delivery mode among pregnant women with one cesarean scar. Methods A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among pregnant women who were attending antenatal care in two public hospitals in Uganda from 1st September to 1st October 2022. Kish Lisle formula was used to get a total sample of 169 pregnant women with one previous scar and nonrecurring indication for cesarean section. These were consecutively recruited into the study, and a modified Poisson regression was performed to identify factors associated with the preferred mode of delivery. Results The mean age of the participants was 28 (4.88) years. Out of 169 women, the majority 137 (81%) preferred a trial of labor. Mothers who preferred to have more than four children were more likely to opt for a trial of labor (aPVR = 0.27, CI;1.01–1.49, p = 0.009). Mothers who were concerned about the cost associated with cesarean section were more likely to choose a trial of labor (aPVR = 1.2, CI;1.01–1.49, p = 0.03), and mothers who perceived that a cesarean section affects body image (aPVR = 3.06, CI;1.39–6.75, p = 0.03) and being employed (aPVR = 0.84, CI:0.74–0.96, p = 0.01) were more likely to prefer a cesarean section. Conclusion Trial of labor after cesarean remains the preferred mode of delivery among women. The desire to have more children and concern about medical expenses increased the likelihood of having a vaginal birth preference. Women with body image concerns and being employed increased the likelihood of a cesarean section preference. It is recommended to consider a trial of labor after cesarean section for all women with nonrecurring indications for cesarean section. Empowering women through health education on the risks and benefits of cesarean section helps them make an informed choice.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-025-07263-2Cesarean sectionTrial of laborPreferred mode of deliveryPrevious scar
spellingShingle Brenda Nabawanuka
Tom Ngabirano
Joyce Nankumbi
Preference and determinants of delivery mode in pregnant women with one cesarean scar: a cross-sectional study in two urban Ugandan public hospitals
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
Cesarean section
Trial of labor
Preferred mode of delivery
Previous scar
title Preference and determinants of delivery mode in pregnant women with one cesarean scar: a cross-sectional study in two urban Ugandan public hospitals
title_full Preference and determinants of delivery mode in pregnant women with one cesarean scar: a cross-sectional study in two urban Ugandan public hospitals
title_fullStr Preference and determinants of delivery mode in pregnant women with one cesarean scar: a cross-sectional study in two urban Ugandan public hospitals
title_full_unstemmed Preference and determinants of delivery mode in pregnant women with one cesarean scar: a cross-sectional study in two urban Ugandan public hospitals
title_short Preference and determinants of delivery mode in pregnant women with one cesarean scar: a cross-sectional study in two urban Ugandan public hospitals
title_sort preference and determinants of delivery mode in pregnant women with one cesarean scar a cross sectional study in two urban ugandan public hospitals
topic Cesarean section
Trial of labor
Preferred mode of delivery
Previous scar
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-025-07263-2
work_keys_str_mv AT brendanabawanuka preferenceanddeterminantsofdeliverymodeinpregnantwomenwithonecesareanscaracrosssectionalstudyintwourbanugandanpublichospitals
AT tomngabirano preferenceanddeterminantsofdeliverymodeinpregnantwomenwithonecesareanscaracrosssectionalstudyintwourbanugandanpublichospitals
AT joycenankumbi preferenceanddeterminantsofdeliverymodeinpregnantwomenwithonecesareanscaracrosssectionalstudyintwourbanugandanpublichospitals