Understanding women's knowledge and perceived benefits of vaginal birth and caesarean section: A multi-country survey from the QUALI-DEC project
A cross-sectional survey of 3,127 postpartum women in 32 hospitals across Argentina, Burkina Faso, Thailand and Viet Nam analyzed open-ended views of birth modes. Vaginal birth was most often valued for faster recovery and shorter stay (85.7%) and better mobility (55.7%). Caesarean section was commonly framed as avoiding labor pain (49.2%), emergency caesarean (26%) or instrumental birth (22.4%), rather than for intrinsic benefits.