Characteristics of deliveries at a maternity hospital

Abstract

Introduction: The planning of the birthplace is considered as important as the pregnancy period. To be aware of the factors that have a strong effect on the preference of maternity hospitals plays an important role in this planning. The aim of this study is to define the socio-demographic traits, birth forms and the prenatal-antenatal care rates of women who preferred Zubeyde Hanim Maternity Hospital.Methods: This study focuses on 500 pregnant women who applied to Zubeyde Hanim Maternity Hospital between July 2005-September 2005. The data has been obtained by the investigators who filled out survey forms, which were prepared by a research group, by way of face to face interview. For the statistical measurements SPSS 9.01 program was used.Results: The average age of the study group was defined as 25.5 +/- 5.2. 80.4% of women were from the town centre of Bursa, 18.4% were from small towns of Bursa and the other 1.2% were from other neighboring cities. When the women in the study group were examined according to their education, it became clear that 65.1% were primary school graduates, 22.2% high school graduates, 7% uneducated and 5.6% higher educated. Whilst 87.8% of women were housewives, just 12.2% were working (p<0.001). The birth form was in 58.4% normal spontaneous birth and in 41.6% caesarean operation. Although 56.3% of women who had a caesarean operation were primary school graduates, 60.7% of higher educated women preferred caesarean operation. It was observed that the caesarean operation rates, age of first birth and prenatal-antenatal care rates increased and the number of children decreased concerning the augmentation of the education level.Discussion: Pregnancy and birth are periods during which women require a health centre most. Women's age, education level and socio-economic factors play an important role in preference of these health centres. The primary care physician is the most important person who can examine the socio-demographic traits and preferences of the woman and can assist with the planning of the consultations during the pregnancy period and birth.