Exploring the Lived Experience of Women with Vaginal Delivery after Cesarean (VBAC): A Phenomenological Study

M. Abdel-Rahman, Walaa; Mansour Ibrahim, Sahar; M. Nabil Aboushady, Reda

doi:10.21608/ejhc.2023.313534

Exploring the Lived Experience of Women with Vaginal Delivery after Cesarean (VBAC): A Phenomenological Study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Lecturer of Maternal and Newborn Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Cairo University, Egypt.

² Assistant professor of Maternal and Newborn Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Cairo University, Egypt.

10.21608/ejhc.2023.313534

Abstract

Background: Increase cesarean birth rate is accompanied by a high incidence of maternal morbidity and mortality. Vaginal delivery after caesarean section (VBAC) is a tool aimed at reducing the frequency of caesarean section. VBAC is a safe and satisfying delivery method for women who already had a caesarean section. Despite expert recommendations in the favor of VBACs and their high success rates, VBACs remain controversial and there is a lack of reliable data which help physicians and women to choose the best method of delivery among subsequent pregnancies. The aim of the current study was to explore the lived experience of women with vaginal delivery after cesarean section. A Phenomenological Research design was used for the current study. The study was conducted at the Outpatient Clinic and Casualty Department at El Kasr Al-Ainy University Hospitals affiliated to Cairo University Hospitals. A purposeful sample of 12 participants was used in the current study. Tool: three tools were utilized for data collection. Structured Interviewing Questionnaire; Unstructured Interviewing Questionnaire; and Audio tape recording. Result: age of the participant ranged from 20-36 years old with a mean age of 28.08 ± 5.23 years old; almost all the participants were living in rural areas. One-third of the participants received preparatory education. While 50% of the participants delivered CS according to their doctors’ opinion without any maternal or fetal indications, and 25% of the participant had a previous in vitro fertilization or repeat abortion, so this pregnancy was considered worthwhile. Other causes included post-pregnancy fetal discomfort and twin pregnancies. The findings of the current study concluded into a five main themes in exploring the lived experiences of women with vaginal delivery after cesarean section including: Meaning of VBAC as perceived by the mother; Wellness and impairment; Mother experience; Encouraging factors and Obstacles. Recommendations: increase awareness of health care providers as well as the pregnant women regarding VBAC, and its benefits and adverse outcomes.

Keywords