{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,30]],"date-time":"2026-07-30T11:56:49Z","timestamp":1785412609398,"version":"3.56.0"},"reference-count":27,"publisher":"AOSIS","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,24]],"date-time":"2026-06-24T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1782259200000},"content-version":"unspecified","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":[],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background: Maternal satisfaction after a caesarean section (CS) is a key quality indicator, yet understudied in low-income and middle-income countries. This study used a qualitative method approach to address that gap, by exploring factors influencing maternal satisfaction in South African government hospitals, focusing on pain management, emotional support and communication, within the local context of KwaZulu-Natal.\nMethods: A qualitative descriptive study design was employed. Women who underwent CS in two government hospitals in Durban were included in the study. Data were collected using questionnaires for socio-demographic information and semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was used to identify and code themes related to maternal satisfaction.\nResults: A total of 100 women were interviewed. Three-quarters of the women (n = 77) were satisfied with their CS experience, with only one participant expressing dissatisfaction. Maternal satisfaction was likely primarily related to positive delivery outcomes. Factors that improved satisfaction included effective pain management, a supportive ward atmosphere, and interactions with peers. Despite overall positive responses, only one-third were willing to undergo CS in the future. Maternal satisfaction was reduced by issues like insufficient preoperative information, language barriers, limited autonomy, and a lack of breastfeeding or emotional support.\nConclusion: Most women reported satisfaction with their CS experience, yet expressed reluctance to undergo the procedure again. This paradoxical phenomenon highlights the complexity and multifaceted nature of maternal satisfaction. Healthcare providers should prioritise open communication, empathy, and respect for women\u2019s preferences and values to provide high-quality, patient-centred care.\nContribution: The study highlighted the need for responsive, equitable, and person-centred approaches to CS care, particularly within resource-constrained public health settings. By addressing the identified gaps and implementing targeted, theory-informed strategies, healthcare providers and policymakers can take meaningful steps towards improving maternal experiences and outcomes across South Africa\u2019s government hospitals.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.4102\/safp.v68i1.6305","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,23]],"date-time":"2026-06-23T08:23:06Z","timestamp":1782202986000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4102\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Assessing maternal satisfaction after caesarean section in government hospitals in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal: A qualitative study"],"prefix":"10.4102","volume":"68","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0000-7150-3535","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Nokuthula","family":"Mbele","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"id":[{"id":"https:\/\/ror.org\/04qzfn040","id-type":"ROR","asserted-by":"publisher"}],"name":"University of KwaZulu-Natal"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0005-1640-3191","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Zanine","family":"Moyce","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"id":[{"id":"https:\/\/ror.org\/04qzfn040","id-type":"ROR","asserted-by":"publisher"}],"name":"University of KwaZulu-Natal"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-9861-3646","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"David","family":"Bishop","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"id":[{"id":"https:\/\/ror.org\/04qzfn040","id-type":"ROR","asserted-by":"publisher"}],"name":"University of KwaZulu-Natal"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"2580","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,24]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref0","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Namujju J, Muhindo R, Mselle LT, Waiswa P, Nankumbi J, Muwanguzi P. Childbirth experiences and their derived meaning: A qualitative study among postnatal mothers in Mbale regional referral hospital, Uganda. Reprod Health. 2018;15(1):183. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12978-018-0628-y","DOI":"10.1186\/s12978-018-0628-y"},{"key":"ref1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Tabaghdehi MH, Keramat A, Kolahdozan S, Shahhosseini Z, Moosazadeh M, Motaghi Z. Positive childbirth experience: A qualitative study. Nurs Open. 2020;7(4):1233\u20131238. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/nop2.499","DOI":"10.1002\/nop2.499"},{"key":"ref2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Smarandache A, Kim TH, Bohr Y, Tamim H. Predictors of a negative labour and birth experience based on a national survey of Canadian women. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2016;16(1):114. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12884-016-0903-2","DOI":"10.1186\/s12884-016-0903-2"},{"key":"ref3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Najafi TF, Roudsari RL, Ebrahimipour H. The best encouraging persons in labor: A content analysis of Iranian mothers\u2019 experiences of labor support. PLoS One. 2017;12(7):e0179702. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1371\/journal.pone.0179702","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0179702"},{"key":"ref4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Van der Gucht N, Lewis K. Women\u2019s experiences of coping with pain during childbirth: A critical review of qualitative research. Midwifery. 2015;31(3):349\u2013358. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.midw.2014.12.005","DOI":"10.1016\/j.midw.2014.12.005"},{"key":"ref5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Rishworth A, Dixon J, Luginaah I, Mkandawire P, Prince CT. \u2018I was on the way to the hospital but delivered in the bush\u2019: Maternal health in Ghana\u2019s Upper West Region in the context of a traditional birth attendants\u2019 ban. Soc Sci Med. 2016;148:8\u201317. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.socscimed.2015.11.018","DOI":"10.1016\/j.socscimed.2015.11.018"},{"key":"ref6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Donabedian A. Evaluating the quality of medical care. Milbank Q. 2005;83(4):691\u2013729. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/j.1468-0009.2005.00397.x","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1468-0009.2005.00397.x"},{"key":"ref7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Antonovsky A. The salutogenic model as a theory to guide health promotion. Health Promot Int. 1996;11(1):11\u201318. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1093\/heapro\/11.1.11","DOI":"10.1093\/heapro\/11.1.11"},{"key":"ref8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Engel GL. The need for a new medical model: A challenge for biomedicine. Science. 1977;196(4286):129\u2013136. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1126\/science.847460","DOI":"10.1126\/science.847460"},{"key":"ref9","unstructured":"WHO. Recommendations on intrapartum care for a positive childbirth experience. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2018."},{"key":"ref10","unstructured":"Saunders M, Lewis P, Thornhill A. Research methods for business students. 8th ed. New York: Pearson Education Limited; 2019."},{"key":"ref11","unstructured":"Lincoln YS, Guba EG. Naturalistic inquiry. 1st ed. London: Sage Publications; 1985."},{"key":"ref12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Nowell LS, Norris JM, White DE, Moules NJ. Thematic analysis: Striving to meet the trustworthiness criteria. Int J Qual Methods. 2017;16(1):1609406917733847. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/1609406917733847","DOI":"10.1177\/1609406917733847"},{"key":"ref13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Shenton AK. Strategies for ensuring trustworthiness in qualitative research projects. Educ Inform. 2004;22(2):63\u201375. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3233\/EFI-2004-22201","DOI":"10.3233\/EFI-2004-22201"},{"key":"ref14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Cope DG. Methods and meanings: Credibility and trustworthiness of qualitative research. Oncol Nurs Forum. 2014;41(1):89\u201391. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1188\/14.ONF.89-91","DOI":"10.1188\/14.ONF.89-91"},{"key":"ref15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Haq ZU, Rasheed R, Rashid A, Akhter S. Criteria for assessing and ensuring the trustworthiness in qualitative research. Int J Bus Reflect. 2023;4(2):150\u2013173. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.56249\/ijbr.03.01.44","DOI":"10.56249\/ijbr.03.01.44"},{"key":"ref16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Larkin P, Begley CM, Devane D. Women\u2019s experiences of labour and birth: An evolutionary concept analysis. Midwifery. 2009;25(2):e49\u2013e59. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.midw.2007.07.010","DOI":"10.1016\/j.midw.2007.07.010"},{"key":"ref17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"O\u2019Brien BC, Harris IB, Beckman TJ, Reed DA, Cook DA. Standards for reporting qualitative research: A synthesis for recommendations. Acad Med. 2014;89(9):1245\u20131251. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1097\/ACM.0000000000000388","DOI":"10.1097\/ACM.0000000000000388"},{"key":"ref18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Benton M, Salter A, Tape N, et al. Women\u2019s psychosocial outcomes following an emergency caesarean section: A systematic literature review. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2019;19(1):535. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12884-019-2687-7","DOI":"10.1186\/s12884-019-2687-7"},{"key":"ref19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Street RL, Jr, Makoul G, Arora NK, Epstein RM. How does communication heal? Pathway linking clinician-patient communication to health outcomes. Patient Educ Couns. 2009;74(3):295\u2013301. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.pec.2008.11.015","DOI":"10.1016\/j.pec.2008.11.015"},{"key":"ref20","unstructured":"Kim E. The role of periarticular injection in pain management after total knee arthroplasty. J Pain Res. 2005;18:123\u2013130. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.2147\/JPR.S448721"},{"key":"ref21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Perfitt S, Williams H. The placebo effect and its role in pain management. Br J Anaesth Educ. 2020;20(1):15\u201322. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.bjae.2019.10.001","DOI":"10.1016\/j.bjae.2020.07.002"},{"key":"ref22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Munsaka EF, Van Dyk D, Parker R. A retrospective audit of pain assessment and management post-caesarean section at New Somerset Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa. S Afr Fam Pract. 2021;63(1):a5320. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4102\/safp.v63i1.5320","DOI":"10.4102\/safp.v63i1.5320"},{"key":"ref23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Guptor A, Sharma N, Kumar S, et al. Postoperative pain management in obstetric patients. J Obstet Anaesth Crit Care. 2018;8(2):57\u201363.","DOI":"10.4103\/joacc.JOACC_54_18"},{"key":"ref24","unstructured":"Rollin NC, Binka F, Brunken B, et al. Breastfeeding support for mothers. Lancet. 2016;387(10017):491\u2013496."},{"key":"ref25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Ffrench-O\u2019Carroll R, Saulnier L, Bhiladvala C, Albert A, Mayer U, Chau A. Quality of recovery and maternal satisfaction after caesarean delivery: A mixed-methods prospective cohort study. Int J Obstet Anesth. 2024;60:104227. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.ijoa.2024.104227","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijoa.2024.104227"},{"key":"ref26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Jikijela TP, James S, Sonti BSI. Caesarean section deliveries: Experiences of mothers of midwifery care at a public hospital in Nelson Mandela Bay. Curationis. 2018;41(1):e1\u2013e9. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4102\/curationis.v41i1","DOI":"10.4102\/curationis.v41i1.1804"}],"container-title":["South African Family Practice"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/safpj.co.za\/index.php\/safpj\/article\/view\/6305\/10564","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,23]],"date-time":"2026-06-23T08:24:09Z","timestamp":1782203049000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/safpj.co.za\/index.php\/safpj\/article\/view\/6305"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,24]]},"references-count":27,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,1]]}},"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4102\/safp.v68i1.6305","relation":{},"ISSN":["2078-6190","2078-6204"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2078-6190","type":"print"},{"value":"2078-6204","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,24]]},"article-number":"a6305"}}