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THURSDAY, Jan. 15 (HealthDayNews) -- Women whose first child is delivered by Caesarian section are much less likely to have a subsequent vaginal delivery, says new research.

The study, published online Jan. 14 by the British Medical Journal, included 283 women who were surveyed three years after they had vaginal delivery (with use of ventouse or forceps) or Caesarian section. Of those women, 140 had become pregnant again during the intervening three years.

Women who had an instrumental vaginal delivery were less likely to report difficulty conceiving and were more likely to have achieved a further pregnancy than those who had a Caesarian section. Women who had a previous instrumental delivery were also more likely to desire a vaginal delivery and more likely to have a vaginal delivery.

Women in both groups (51 percent after vaginal delivery and 42 percent after Caesarian section) cited fear of childbirth as a reason for avoiding another pregnancy.

The study authors conclude that vaginal delivery offers advantages for future pregnancies over Caesarian section. They say the increasing use of Caesarian section instead of vaginal delivery when there are difficulties during labor may have far-reaching consequences.

They suggest more work is necessary to address the psychological impact on women in these circumstances.

More information

Here's where you can learn more about birth and labor.

(SOURCE: British Medical Association, news release, Jan. 14, 2004)

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