A survey of trainee obstetricians preferences for childbirth

Objective: To determine trainee obstetricians personal preferences regardin g mode and place of delivery given various scenarios. Study Design: An anon ymous nationwide postal survey of 365 specialist registrars. Results: The r esponse rate was 76%. About 2.5% preferred a home birth. And 16% of men and 15% of women opted for elective cesarean section (CS). When faced with a p roposed trial of instrumental delivery in theatre, 60% accepted and a furth er 12% accepted only if they could choose the obstetrician performing the d elivery. Regarding a breech presentation at term, 78% would accept external cephalic version (ECV). Conclusions: The percentage of obstetricians who p referred vaginal delivery and ECV were considerably higher than previously reported, and there were no significant gender differences. This study show s a more balanced attitude from obstetricians and refutes the previously he ld view that they necessarily advocate high levels of intervention for them selves. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.