Defensive caesarean section: A reality and a recommended health care improvement for Romanian obstetrics.

RATIONALE: Defensive caesarean section (CS) has become one of the most common medical procedure worldwide. Additionally, performing CS in accordance with the patient's choice is an appropriate professional practice.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: This paper reports a prospective, observational, multicenter study to quantify the use of this type of practice that is performed by obstetricians to avoid medico-legal complaints and decrease the frequency of malpractice litigations.

METHODS: We interviewed 73 obstetricians from three distinct units of obstetrics and gynaecology, to assess their opinion regarding defensive caesarean delivery and caesarean delivery performed upon maternal request. We conducted an opinion-based survey using questionnaires based on nine, close-ended questions.

RESULTS: Out of 73 respondents, 51 (69.9%) stated that they perform defensive CS; 63 (86.3%) declared that their choice of birth delivery is influenced by the risk of being accused of malpractice; 60 (82.2%) indicated that it is normal for the patient to be able to decide on the type of delivery; and 63 (86.3%) declared that they consult their patients regarding their delivery preferences. We found statistically significant differences between the respondents who declare that they perform defensive CS (69.9%) and those who said that they are influenced by the risk of malpractice when they choose the method of delivery for their patients (86.3%) (P < .001; McNemar Test).

CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study indicate that defensive caesarean section is a widespread practice among obstetrics practitioners in Romania.