Abstract
Background: The complications associated with vaginal delivery have led some women to prefer caesarean delivery (CD). This study was carried out to assess the prevalence, causes, and complications of CD and vaginal deliveries in women in Madinah.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2018 to November 2019 in Madinah city. Data were collected through questionnaires from 704 women at Madinah who gave birth to 3,505 offspring.
Results: The prevalence of CD was higher than vaginal delivery (61.8% vs. 38.2%). Emergency CD was carried out in 12.6% versus 87.4% elective procedures. Women preferred CD as advised by social media, friends, and family members rather than doctors (35.6%, 28.4%, and 13.9%, respectively vs. 22.1%). The level of maternal education did not differ between CD and vaginal delivery (p-value = 0.574). More postdelivery blood transfusion was required with CD (1.43% vs. 0.6%), while postdelivery maternal depression was more prevalent with vaginal delivery (17.4% vs. 5.5%). Considering fetal complications, respiratory problems were more common with CD (26.5% vs. 21.4%), whereas hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy was more associated with vaginal delivery (0.9% vs. 0.27%).
Conclusion: The prevalence of CD was higher than vaginal delivery. Social media, friends, and family affected the mother’s decision regarding the mode of delivery toward CD. For maternal complications, postdelivery blood transfusion was more common with CD, while postpartum depression was more prevalent with vaginal delivery. Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy was more common with vaginal delivery, while fetal respiratory problems were more often seen with CD.

Key words: Vaginal delivery, cesarean delivery, Madinah, prevalence, complication