Elsevier, Patient Education and Counseling, 2(72), p. 305-310
DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2008.04.008
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OBJECTIVE: To assess patients' preferences and trade-offs for mode of delivery in case of breech presentation at term. METHODS: Eighty women (40 with a foetus in breech presentation and 40 with a foetus in cephalic presentation) with a gestational age from 36 weeks onwards were offered scenarios of vaginal and caesarean breech delivery in which 1-month and 2-year neonatal and maternal complication rates were varied; expectant fathers (when present) were interviewed separately. Thresholds for complication rates where patients switch preferences were visualised graphically in trade-off curves. Differences in preference thresholds were tested using the Wilcoxon signed ranks test. RESULTS: Caesarean delivery was the preferred mode of delivery for breech presentation in 65% of the patients interviewed. The trade-off questions showed that the 2-year neonatal outcome after breech delivery was the most important outcome for the mothers, whereas the fathers were more influenced by the maternal outcome. CONCLUSION: When realistic assumptions for complications are made, most women prefer a caesarean delivery over vaginal delivery for at term breech presentation. In the balance of pros and cons, 2-year neonatal outcome is the most important factor in the decision between caesarean and vaginal delivery. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The results of this study can be used by the clinician to help patients weigh risk, benefit, and potential harm with regard to breech delivery. ; Marjolein Kok, Lonneke Gravendeel, Brent C. Opmeer, Joris A.M. van der Post, Ben W.J. Mol