IMR Press / CEOG / Volume 43 / Issue 6 / DOI: 10.12891/ceog3404.2016

Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology (CEOG) is published by IMR Press from Volume 47 Issue 1 (2020). Previous articles were published by another publisher on a subscription basis, and they are hosted by IMR Press on imrpress.com as a courtesy and upon agreement with S.O.G.

Original Research
Flemish obstetricians’ personal preference regarding induction of labor and mode of delivery in term births
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1 Jan Palfijn Hospital, Antwerp
2 Antwerp University Hospital UZA, Edegem (Belgium)
Clin. Exp. Obstet. Gynecol. 2016, 43(6), 792–794; https://doi.org/10.12891/ceog3404.2016
Published: 10 December 2016
Abstract

Introduction: In a 2002 survey, 2% of Flemish gynecologists preferred elective cesarean section for themselves or their partner. This study aims to determine actual preference regarding induction of labor and mode of delivery in term cephalic or breech births for gynecologists or their partners. Materials and Methods: An anonymous postal questionnaire was sent to all gynecologists and trainees in Flanders. Results: Response rate was 28.2 % (241/852). In case of an uncomplicated cephalic singleton pregnancy, 39 gynecologists (16.2%) preferred cesarean section. Most (n=134, 66.5%) chose induction at 41 weeks, 26 (13%) at 40 weeks, 37 (18%) at 42 weeks, 26 (13%) at 40 weeks, three (1.5%) preferred induction before 40 weeks and two (1%) would wait until after 42 weeks. Concerning term breech, 30% (n=72) opted for vaginal delivery and 70% (n = 169) for planned cesarean section. Ninety-nine (41%) gynecologists preferred to attempt external version first. Only 115 (47.7 %) gynecologists felt professionally capable to assist vaginal breech delivery themselves; about one-third (n=96; 38%) had performed less than ten vaginal breech deliveries in their career. Conclusions: Flemish gynecologists are still in favor of vaginal delivery for themselves in terms of cephalic position, but an increasing number favor planned cesarean section. Most Flemish gynecologists opt for cesarean section for themselves or their partners in case of term breech and state that they do not feel capable in assisting vaginal breech delivery for their patients.
Keywords
Cesarean
Induction of labor
Breech
Gynecologist
Obstetrics
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