Abstract:

Background: The opportunity to select the method of birth is an important component of modern obstetrics' compassionate and respectful care since it supports the wellness of both the mother and the new born. However, several researches in African countries such as Ghana and Nigeria showed poor or inadequate knowledge of mothers about the modes of delivery. While a caesarean section can be an essential and lifesaving surgery, it can put women and babies at unnecessary risk of short- and long-term health problems if performed when there is not medical need. And many African women also find themselves insisting on vaginal delivery even when the medical indication require them to not do so. This study aimed at determining the knowledge and perceptions of pregnant women in Antenatal wards at BMC

Methodology: The study area was BMC Antenatal Ward. This study was a cross-sectional study involving all consented pregnant women attending antenatal wards with a sample size of 372 women which was done through questionnaires in both Swahili and English language and its data was analysed and results was documented.

Results: in a study of a total of 372 women, 71% had poor knowledge on modes of delivery and 29% had good knowledge while only 29.6% of the participants had good perception on these modes of delivery.

Conclusion: Pregnant attending antenatal clinic have poor knowledge on the modes of delivery. Furthermore, majority of participants had a poor perception on vaginal mode to caesarean delivery.