Temporal and geographical variation in UK obstetricians' personal preference regarding mode of delivery

Objective: To assess UK obstetricians' preferences about mode of delivery for themselves or their partners and determine whether these changed since 1995. Study Design: All 313 registered obstetricians in London and one in five (279) sample of those outside London were sent a structured anonymous postal questionnaire. Results: The response rate was 54%. In a hypothetical uncomplicated first singleton pregnancy with a cephalic presentation at term, 15% chose elective caesarean section (CS) (17% in London versus 13% outside London). The overall rate for London has not changed since 1995 (17 versus 17%), although the difference between women and men was less (31 versus 8% in 1995 and 21 versus 14% in 1999, respectively). The number choosing elective CS increased with estimated foetal weight >4.0 kg (40%) and >4.5 kg (65%) and with breech presentation both in a first pregnancy (69%) and after a previous vaginal delivery (49%). Conclusion: The overall attitude of London obstetricians to mode of delivery for themselves or their partners has not changed since 1995 and is similar to those of UK obstetricians elsewhere. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.