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Pregnancy & children
Making decisions about birth after caesarean
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About the interviews and the DiAMOND trial
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Previous pregnancy and caesarean birth :
After caesarean birth
Recovery & complications after previous caesarean
Bonding, feeding and support after previous CS
Women's feelings about their previous caesarean
Experiences of previous pregnancy & caesarean
Women's expectations for their previous births
Information needs/sources in previous pregnancies
Women's experiences of their previous CS
Next pregnancy and birth after caesarean :
Decisions about how to give birth after caesarean
Reasons for wanting a planned caesarean
Reasons for wanting vaginal birth after caesarean
Women's experiences of making the decision
Roles of health professionals in decision-making
Roles of partners & others in decision-making
Experience of next birth after caesarean
Women's experiences of their next caesarean
Women's experiences of vaginal birth after CS
Preparing for next birth after caesarean
Women's expectations for their next birth
Information needs & attitudes in next pregnancy
Views on information from health professionals
Views on information from other sources
Taking stock of birthing experiences :
Comparing birth experiences and recovery
Women's views on choice about birth
Advice to other women facing decisions about birth
Messages to health professionals
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Making decisions about birth after caesarean
Subject index
Clip
Pregnancy & children
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Making decisions about birth after caesarean
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Aged 36-39
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Interview 25
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She found her antenatal classes the most useful source of information. They included a visit to the local hospital and information on birth assists an
Wanted intervention-free birth, but was induced when 14 days overdue. Laboured for 19 hours, accepted CS when baby became distressed. Felt involved in decision-making, but disappointed afterwards. Keen to experience vaginal birth with 2nd child.
Pregnancy & children
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Making decisions about birth after caesarean
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Aged 30 and under
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Susan - Interview 01
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She would have liked to be more involved in decisions about her care, but once she experienced strong labour pains the right point in time had been mi
First child born by emergency CS. She felt disappointed with the process and keen to give birth to her 2nd child vaginally, but discovered at her 20 week scan that her placenta covered her cervix (placenta previa) so she would need another CS.
Pregnancy & children
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Making decisions about birth after caesarean
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Aged 30 and under
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Susan - Interview 01
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She felt left alone during the first stage of labour, then received several unwanted interventions. She thinks a caesarean could have been avoided if
First child born by emergency CS. She felt disappointed with the process and keen to give birth to her 2nd child vaginally, but discovered at her 20 week scan that her placenta covered her cervix (placenta previa) so she would need another CS.
Pregnancy & children
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Making decisions about birth after caesarean
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Aged 36-39
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Interview 15
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Her baby would not feed for the first 24 hours. She thinks this was due to the effects of the painkillers she was given to cope with the pain of being
Went overdue with 1st child and was induced at 42 weeks, but drugs had no effect. Delivered 3 days later by epidural CS. Determined to have planned CS with 2nd child, as felt unlikely she would go into labour. Planned CS was a wonderful experience, far less tiring.
Pregnancy & children
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Making decisions about birth after caesarean
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Aged 31-35
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Interview 11
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She would have liked to attend antenatal classes to refresh her knowledge of labour and pain relief. Women in the parentcraft classes had other intere
Rushed to have CS after baby passed meconium and stopped moving. Had quick recovery. Keen to experience vaginal birth with 2nd child, laboured for 66 hours. Some complications afterwards but glad to have experienced giving birth both ways.
Pregnancy & children
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Making decisions about birth after caesarean
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Aged 31-35
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Interview 28
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With hindsight, it would have been helpful to know more about the different kinds of pain relief available during labour before a caesarean.
Difficult pregnancy, laboured for 2 days, then found baby was double-breech and had emergency CS. Had trouble breastfeeding and felt very low for 6 months. Uncertain about how to deliver 2nd child, leaned towards planned CS but went into labour early and had VBAC as operating theatre was busy.
Pregnancy & children
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Making decisions about birth after caesarean
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Aged 36-39
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Interview 06
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She had a lengthy and painful labour and was glad to have all the pain relief that was available. The thought of having another caesarean spurred her
Had planned CS with 1st child due to his expected size. Felt CS was unnecessary, but stress-free way of having baby. Difficult decision with 2nd child, felt both anxious and curious about labour. Now pleased to have had vaginal birth with ventouse.
Pregnancy & children
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Making decisions about birth after caesarean
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Aged 31-35
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Interview 11
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Her experience was very different from expected. She spent 3 days in hospital with painful contractions but not dilating. After the birth she had to h
Rushed to have CS after baby passed meconium and stopped moving. Had quick recovery. Keen to experience vaginal birth with 2nd child, laboured for 66 hours. Some complications afterwards but glad to have experienced giving birth both ways.
Pregnancy & children
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Making decisions about birth after caesarean
>>
Aged 31-35
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Interview 11
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Compared to her caesarean, vaginal birth felt lengthy and drawn-out. She had a lot more pain before the birth and found she was not offered the same l
Rushed to have CS after baby passed meconium and stopped moving. Had quick recovery. Keen to experience vaginal birth with 2nd child, laboured for 66 hours. Some complications afterwards but glad to have experienced giving birth both ways.
Pregnancy & children
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Making decisions about birth after caesarean
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Aged 31-35
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Interview 20
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She found recovery after her forceps delivery more painful than after her caesarean. It took 10 days before she could sit down without thinking about
Went 8 days overdue with 1st child, laboured for 48 hours. Had epidural and then emergency CS when child became distressed. Easy recovery but felt wrong about having planned CS with 2nd child. Considered it during labour but persevered and had vaginal birth assisted by forceps.
Pregnancy & children
>>
Making decisions about birth after caesarean
>>
Aged 31-35
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Interview 11
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Health professionals need to be aware that women who have had a caesarean without labour may need more information about labour and pain relief than o
Rushed to have CS after baby passed meconium and stopped moving. Had quick recovery. Keen to experience vaginal birth with 2nd child, laboured for 66 hours. Some complications afterwards but glad to have experienced giving birth both ways.
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