Psychosocial Factors and Elective Cesarean Section Deliveries in Kenya

When I started this journey - of research and academic writing of this book, it was an inspiration of my family and social background and life experiences. It was a fulfillment of a long held believe in seeking knowledge and solutions to our life's challenges. The women of Kenya and professionals in the field of birth science have faced challenges in terms of when and how to give birth and why they would select whichever kind of mode of delivery they use. With many women increasingly undergoing cesarean section deliveries, it was imperative upon us researchers to find out why women would opt for cesarean section deliveries outside the physician's indications. This books seeks to answer why? Increasing women's autonomy and control over their reproductive health, fear of childbirth, pregnancy related anxiety, perceived social support from friends, and expectancy for undesirable birth outcomes are the key predictors of elective cesarean section deliveries, given the number of deliveries the woman has undergone and the age at first pregnancy. The book recommends ways to reduce fear and consideration of the psychosocial status of pregnant women to better manage of deliveries.