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A Comparison Between Swedish Midwives and Obstetricians & Gynecologists Opinions on Cesarean Section

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Abstract

To compare Swedish obstetricians/gynecologists and midwives’ attitudes and opinions on different aspects of cesarean section (CS). In total 330 midwives from the south east of Sweden and 1280 Swedish obstetricians/gynecologists were asked to answer a study-specific questionnaire anonymously about their opinions on different issues concerning CS. The majority of obstetricians/gynecologists and midwives had more than 10 years of experience in their professions (75.2% vs. 73.6%). The midwives thought that a reasonable CS rate would be 11.5% whereas the corresponding figures for the obstetricians/gynecologists was 13.8% (P < 0.001). There are differences in opinions and attitudes concerning both CS rates and other aspects in connection with CS. There are evident differences in attitudes towards CS and mode of delivery between midwives and obstetricians/gynecologists. These need to be explored and discussed in relation to state-of-the-art knowledge and should become a part of the curriculum for both groups of professionals both in training as well as on a regular clinical basis.

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Acknowledgments

This investigation was supported by grants from The Medical Research Council of Southeast Sweden and Futurum—the Academy of Health care, Jonkoping County Council. We thank statistician, MA, Marie Bladh for excellent statistical advice.

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None of the authors have any conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, 581 85, Linköping, Sweden

    Ann Josefsson, Christina Gunnervik, Adam Sydsjö & Gunilla Sydsjö

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Värnamo County Hospital, 331 85, Värnamo, Sweden

    Christina Gunnervik

Authors
  1. Ann Josefsson
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  2. Christina Gunnervik
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  3. Adam Sydsjö
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  4. Gunilla Sydsjö
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Correspondence to Gunilla Sydsjö.

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Josefsson, A., Gunnervik, C., Sydsjö, A. et al. A Comparison Between Swedish Midwives and Obstetricians & Gynecologists Opinions on Cesarean Section. Matern Child Health J 15, 555–560 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-010-0630-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-010-0630-7

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