Variables
The main outcome variables were preference and actual mode of delivery. To find out about the preference the question was the following: “In a normal gestation, with 39 weeks of evolving, a single fetus with cephalic presentation with 3.5 kg weight or less, which mode of delivery you would choose for yourself or for your wife/partner?” The options of answers were “vaginal - with analgesia if necessary” or “caesarean”. To find out about the actual mode of delivery, we asked those who reported that they had genetic children, which was the mode of delivery of each birth; the options of answers were “vaginal”, “vaginal with analgesia” or “caesarean”.
Main co-variables were sex, age, reasons for preferring and for choosing C-section or vaginal delivery.
The questionnaire was similar to at least another one that had been used in a similar study in England.11 The first draft of our questionnaire was initially examined by two obstetricians and then piloted in a group of five obstetricians working in a state hospital in Rio de Janeiro, in February 2017. We changed a few questions after this first round of field testing following their feedback. In March 2017 we piloted the new version in another group of five obstetrics trainees and one experienced consultant obstetrician, who worked in the Pedro Ernesto Hospital, at the University of the State of Rio de Janeiro. After this round we incorporated new suggestions. In April 2017 the questionnaire was examined by an experienced obstetrician who holds a degree in Epidemiology and she suggested a few changes. Still in April 2017, after the new modifications, we applied the questionnaire in a new group of five obstetricians in a state hospital in Rio de Janeiro, who did not make any new suggestions for changes.