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Abstract
This was a cross sectional study surveying a total of 451 physicians. A questionnaire was constructed and distributed electronically to the participants. The main outcome measure was evaluation of physicians’ knowledge, attitude, and practice towards VBAC in Egypt. Although 76.3% of the physicians agreed to present VBAC as an option, 38.1% disagreed with encouraging it. Also, a large proportion of them advised against the induction of labour and refused it if post-term (69.4% and 76.1%, respectively). The physicians’ attitude towards VBAC was to allow vaginal birth if the patient went into spontaneous labour (72.3%) and perform repeat CS if not in labour (86.7%). Fear of complications (78.71%) was the most common cause of not conducting VBAC. The consensus of practice was to present VBAC as an option for women with a single Caesarean scar; however, one-third of them did not encourage VBAC. They strongly refused the induction of labour.
What is already known on this subject? This is the first study to evaluate physicians’ knowledge, attitude, and practice towards VBAC in Egypt and the Arab world.
What do the results of this study add? From the current survey of the practice of the obstetricians in Egypt, the consensus of practice was to present VBAC as an option for women with a single Caesarean scar; however, one-third of them did not encourage VBAC. They strongly refused the induction of labour. The presence of labour pain is the strongest determinant to allow VBAC, while the vast majority of obstetricians were willing to conduct ERCS in the absence of labour pain. This contributed significantly to the rising rates of CS in Egypt.
What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Physicians’ attitude towards VBAC should be evaluated in countries with higher rates of CS deliveries. Women's perspectives and attitude towards VBAC should be evaluated.
Impact Statement
Disclosure statement
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.