@article{fdi:010082464,
  title = {'{A} caesarean section is like you've never delivered a baby' : a mixed methods study of the experience of childbirth among {F}rench women},
  author = {{S}chantz, {C}l{\'e}mence and {P}antelias, {A}.{C}. and {L}oenzien, {M}yriam de and {R}avit, {M}. and {R}ozenberg, {P}. and {L}ouis-{S}ylvestre, {C}. and {G}oyet, {S}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{T}he experience of childbirth has been technologized worldwide, leading to major social changes. {I}n {F}rance, childbirth occurs almost exclusively in hospitals. {F}ew studies have been published on the opinions of {F}rench women regarding obstetric technology and, in particular, caesarean section. {I}n 2017-2018, we used a mixed methods approach to determine {F}rench women's preferences regarding the mode of delivery, and captured their experiences and satisfaction in relation to childbirth in two maternity settings. {O}f 284 pregnant women, 277 (97.5/100) expressed a preference for vaginal birth, while seven (2.5/100) women expressed a preference for caesarean section. {V}aginal birth was also preferred among 26 women who underwent an in-depth interview. {V}aginal birth was perceived as more natural, less risky and less painful, and to favour mother-child bonding. {T}his vision was shared by caregivers. {T}he women who expressed a preference for vaginal birth tended to remain sexually active late in their pregnancy, to find sexual intercourse pleasurable, and to believe that vaginal birth would not enlarge their vagina. {A} large majority (94.5/100) of women who gave birth vaginally were satisfied with their childbirth experience, compared with 24.3/100 of those who underwent caesarean section. {T}he caring attitude of the caregivers contributed to increasing this satisfaction. {T}he notion of women's 'empowerment' emerged spontaneously in women's discourse in this research: women who gave birth vaginally felt satisfied and empowered. {T}he vision shared by caregivers and women that vaginal birth is a natural process contributes to the stability of caesarean section rates in {F}rance.},
  keywords = {{FRANCE}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{R}eproductive {B}iomedicine and {S}ociety {O}nline},
  volume = {12},
  numero = {},
  pages = {69--78},
  ISSN = {2405-6618},
  year = {2021},
  DOI = {10.1016/j.rbms.2020.10.003},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010082464},
}