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Psychosocial sequelae of cesarean delivery: Review and analysis of their causes and implications

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  • Lobel, Marci
  • DeLuca, Robyn Stein

Abstract

A growing number of children around the world are being born by surgical delivery, or cesarean section. Concerns over rising rates of cesareans have focused on the risk of death and medical complications associated with surgical delivery but have largely neglected psychosocial and behavioral factors that affect and are affected by cesarean delivery. We summarize research which indicates that women who deliver by cesarean section have more negative perceptions of their birth experience, their selves, and their infants, exhibit poorer parenting behaviors, and may be at higher risk for postpartum mood disturbance compared to women delivering infants vaginally. We also review evidence that suggests that cesareans adversely influence women's moods and perceptions by restricting the control that they can exercise over birth and by violating expectations about childbirth. Based on these findings, we recommend ways to reduce the aversiveness of cesareans, offer recommendations for future research, and discuss implications of escalating rates of cesareans, including medically non-indicated cesareans by request.

Suggested Citation

  • Lobel, Marci & DeLuca, Robyn Stein, 2007. "Psychosocial sequelae of cesarean delivery: Review and analysis of their causes and implications," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 64(11), pages 2272-2284, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:64:y:2007:i:11:p:2272-2284
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mohammad Rifat Haider & Mohammad Masudur Rahman & Md Moinuddin & Ahmed Ehsanur Rahman & Shakil Ahmed & M Mahmud Khan, 2018. "Ever-increasing Caesarean section and its economic burden in Bangladesh," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(12), pages 1-13, December.
    2. Rosenthal, Lisa & Lobel, Marci, 2011. "Explaining racial disparities in adverse birth outcomes: Unique sources of stress for Black American women," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 72(6), pages 977-983, March.
    3. Tonei, Valentina, 2019. "Mother’s mental health after childbirth: Does the delivery method matter?," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 182-196.
    4. Shen, Menghan & Li, Linyan, 2020. "Differences in Cesarean section rates by fetal sex among Chinese women in the United States: Does Chinese culture play a role?," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 36(C).
    5. Nagle, Amanda & Samari, Goleen, 2021. "State-level structural sexism and cesarean sections in the United States," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 289(C).
    6. Judith Aris-Meijer & Claudi Bockting & Ronald Stolk & Tjitte Verbeek & Chantal Beijers & Mariëlle van Pampus & Huibert Burger, 2019. "What If Pregnancy Is Not Seventh Heaven? The Influence of Specific Life Events during Pregnancy and Delivery on the Transition of Antenatal into Postpartum Anxiety and Depression," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-11, August.
    7. Chen, Chin-Shyan & Liu, Tsai-Ching & Chen, Bradley & Lin, Chung-Liang, 2014. "The failure of financial incentive? The seemingly inexorable rise of cesarean section," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 47-51.
    8. Leone, Tiziana & Padmadas, Sabu S. & Matthews, Zoë, 2008. "Community factors affecting rising caesarean section rates in developing countries: An analysis of six countries," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 67(8), pages 1236-1246, October.
    9. Annika Karlström & Regina Engström‐Olofsson & Astrid Nystedt & Mats Sjöling & Ingegerd Hildingsson, 2010. "Women’s postoperative experiences before and after the introduction of spinal opioids in anaesthesia for caesarean section," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 19(9‐10), pages 1326-1334, May.
    10. Grant, Darren, 2022. "The “Quiet Revolution” and the cesarean section in the United States," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 47(C).
    11. Surana, Mitul & Dongre, Ambrish, 2018. "Too much care? Private health care sector and surgical interventions during childbirth in India," IIMA Working Papers WP 2018-11-01, Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, Research and Publication Department.

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