A Spanish study, conducted on 250 participants of varied nationalities, shows that 24% of pregnant women feel poorly informed by their gynecologists and that nearly half do not take any pre-natal course.
Considering the medical, social and emotional importance of pregnancy and childbirth, it is especially vital for pregnant patients to be informed and in control of their health care during gestation and birth.
From the article:
The Head of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department at the Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Miguel Ángel Herráiz, who presented the results of the survey…explained that the aim of the study is to find out pregnant women’s preferences during birth, with there currently being a tendency in administrations and the media in favour of a more natural birth. With regard to the high number of women who believe their gynaecologist does not inform them properly, the expert recognises that “we need to provide a birth plan and explain well and at all times how the process is going to be”.
The survey asked about questions that have become more pressing in recent years, such as whether or not Cesarean sections and other medical interventions ought to be done as commonly as they are at present.