ANALYSIS OF THE PROFILE OF PREGNANT PATIENTS WHO OPTED FOR ELECTIVE CESAREAN SECTION THROUGH SISTEMA ÚNICO DE SAÚDE IN A MATERNITY HOSPITAL IN CASCAVEL, PARANÁ

Abstract

Elective cesarean sections can be associated with higher risks for both the mother, such as postpartum infection and postpartum hemorrhage, as well as perinatal risks, such as late prematurity, resulting in a higher likelihood of respiratory complications and low birth weight in these newborns, which raises concerns among healthcare professionals. With the exponential increase in the number of cesarean sections performed in Brazil, this present study aims to analyze the profile of pregnant women who chose to undergo elective cesarean delivery based on maternal preference in a maternity ward at Hospital São Lucas in the city of Cascavel. This study takes the form of a cross-sectional study with questionnaires administered to these patients, as elective cesareans based on maternal preference may be associated with greater risks for the mother. It is an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted at a maternity ward in the municipality of Cascavel, Paraná, using data collected through a questionnaire administered to a group of pregnant women who opted for elective cesarean sections. The final sample included 30 pregnant women, whose profile consisted of women with an average age of 26 years, predominantly of white ethnicity, with completed high school education, and married marital status. It is worth noting that 81.3% of the pregnant women in the sample had previously undergone a cesarean section, suggesting a significant influence on the choice of elective cesarean delivery. It is important to highlight that 25% of the pregnant women with a history of previous vaginal delivery reported having experienced a traumatic childbirth, a finding that deserves attention and intervention to improve the childbirth experience for these women.