PREFERENCE OF PATIENT TO GENERAL OR SPINAL ANESTHESIA DURING CAESAREAN SECTION

Background: Anesthesia selection for an elective cesarean section should be determined by a careful evaluation of the potential benefits and risks, taking into account the expectant woman's personal choices, concerns, and the knowledge of medical professionals. Aim of study: To assess patient’s perception about their preference to general anesthesia or spinal anesthesia during caesarian section and factors associated with their choice. Patients and methods: This is an analytic cross sectional study that was conducted at Medical City and Al-Yarmouk Teaching Hospital in Baghdad, Iraq during the period from the 1st June 2022 to 1st October 2023. A total number of 200 pregnant women were included. A questionnaire-based interview was chosen as a method for data collection. The questionnaire consisted of basic sociodemographic and obstetric information, the method of choice (spinal vs. general anesthesia), and the reasons for preferring a method over the other. Results: Regarding the choice of anesthesia; 145 (72.5%) preferred general anesthesia, while 55 (27.5%) preferred spinal anesthesia. A statistically significant association was detected between the choice of anesthesia and previous mode of deliveries, as women who had previous caesarian sections were more likely to prefer general anesthesia. Conclusion: Among pregnant women opting for elective caesarian section, there is a predominance to prefer general anesthesia. Fear of surgical environment was the most common reason to prefer general anesthesia, while the fear of not waking up was the most common reason to prefer spinal anesthesia. Undergoing previous caesarian section was significantly associated with choosing general anesthesia.