Variables
The main outcome variables were preference and actual mode of delivery.
To find out about the preference the question was the following: “In a
normal gestation, with 39 weeks of evolving, a single fetus with
cephalic presentation with 3.5 kg weight or less, which mode of delivery
you would choose for yourself or for your wife/partner?” The options of
answers were “vaginal - with analgesia if necessary” or “caesarean”.
To find out about the actual mode of delivery, we asked those who
reported that they had genetic children, which was the mode of delivery
of each birth; the options of answers were “vaginal”, “vaginal with
analgesia” or “caesarean”.
Main co-variables were sex, age, reasons for preferring and for choosing
C-section or vaginal delivery.
The questionnaire was similar to at least another one that had been used
in a similar study in England.11 The first draft of
our questionnaire was initially examined by two obstetricians and then
piloted in a group of five obstetricians working in a state hospital in
Rio de Janeiro, in February 2017. We changed a few questions after this
first round of field testing following their feedback. In March 2017 we
piloted the new version in another group of five obstetrics trainees and
one experienced consultant obstetrician, who worked in the Pedro Ernesto
Hospital, at the University of the State of Rio de Janeiro. After this
round we incorporated new suggestions. In April 2017 the questionnaire
was examined by an experienced obstetrician who holds a degree in
Epidemiology and she suggested a few changes. Still in April 2017, after
the new modifications, we applied the questionnaire in a new group of
five obstetricians in a state hospital in Rio de Janeiro, who did not
make any new suggestions for changes.