Risk of cesarean delivery in ongoing pregnancies of nulliparous women after 37 weeks of gestation: a prospective cohort study

Objective: To study the risk of CD for each gestational week among ongoing pregnancies of nulliparous women at term. Design: A retrospective, population-based cohort study from January 1, 2016, through December 31, 2017 Setting: a French perinatal network of the Yvelines district, France Population: 11 308 nulliparous women with a singleton fetus in a cephalic presentation and delivered at term (≥37-week +0 day) Methods: for each week of gestation at term, we defined ongoing pregnancies as all pregnancies undelivered at the start of each week. Regression models adjusted by maternal characteristics and hospital status were used to compare the CD risk between ongoing pregnancies and the pregnancies delivered the preceding week. The same methods were applied to subgroups defined by the mode of labor onset. Main outcome measure: The caesarean delivery rate (CD) Results: Ongoing pregnancies > 40 weeks+0 days were associated with a higher risk of CD compared with pregnancies delivered the previous week: 24.3% in ongoing pregnancies ≥ 40 weeks +0 days versus 19.9% in deliveries between 39 weeks +0 days and 39 weeks+6 days (Odd ratio adjusted of 1.28, 95%CI [1.15-1.44]; 30.4% in ongoing pregnancies ≥ 41 weeks +0 days versus 19.6% in deliveries between 40 weeks +0 days and 40 weeks+6 days (OR 1.73, 95%CI [1.51-1.96]). This was also shown for all modes of labor onset and in every maternity unit. Conclusions: CD rates increased starting at 40 weeks +0 days in ongoing pregnancies, regardless of the mode of labor onset.

Association between epidural analgesia and indications for intrapartum caesarean delivery in group 1 of the 10-group classification system at a tertiary maternity hospital, Shanghai, China: a retrospective cohort study

Background In this study, we aimed to determine whether epidural analgesia affects the indications for intrapartum caesarean delivery, such as foetal distress, dystocia, or maternal request, in nulliparous term women with spontaneous labour (Group 1 in the 10-Group Classification System). Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study and collected data from the electronic medical records of deliveries performed in our institution between 1 January 2017 and 30 June 2017. Women conforming to the criterion of Group 1 according to the 10-Group Classification System were enrolled. We compared labour outcomes between women with and without epidural analgesia and analysed the association between epidural analgesia and indications for caesarean by using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results A total of 3212 women met the inclusion criteria, and 2876 were enrolled in the final analyses. Women who received epidural analgesia had a significantly lower intrapartum caesarean delivery rate (16.0% vs. 26.7%, P < 0.001), higher rates of amniotomy (53.4% vs. 42.3%, P < 0.001) and oxytocin augmentation (79.5% vs. 67.0%, P < 0.001), and a higher incidence of intrapartum fever (≥38 °C) (23.3% vs. 8.5%, P < 0.001) than those who did not receive epidural analgesia. There were no significant differences between the groups for most indications, except a lower probability of maternal request for caesarean delivery (3.9% vs. 10.5%, P < 0.001) observed in women who received epidural analgesia than in those who did not. Epidural analgesia was revealed to be associated with a decreased risk of maternal request for caesarean delivery (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.22–0.42; P < 0.001); however, oxytocin augmentation was related to an increased risk of maternal request (aOR, 2.34; 95%CI, 1.47–3.75; P < 0.001). Regarding the reasons for the maternal request for caesarean delivery, significantly fewer women complained of pain (0.5% vs. 4.6%, P < 0.001) or had no labour progress (1.3% vs. 3.6%, P < 0.001) among those who received analgesia. Conclusions Among the women in Group 1, epidural analgesia was associated with a lower intrapartum caesarean delivery rate, which may be explained by a reduction in the risk of maternal request for an intrapartum caesarean delivery.

Caesarean delivery rate and indications at a secondary healthcare facility in Ibadan, South Western Nigeria: a five-year review

Background: Caesarean delivery is an essential surgical skill within the primary care setting aimed at reducing maternal morbidity and mortality. Objectives: To determine the rate and indications for caesarean deliveries with a view to improving on the service delivery in the study area. Methods: A retrospective review of all caesarean deliveries over a five-year period, January 1st, 2012 to December 31st, 2016. Results: A total of 2321 deliveries were recorded during the study duration and 481 of them were through caesarean sec- tion (CS) giving a caesarean section rate of 20.4%. The rate was higher in the multigravida 255 (53.1%). The commonest indication for caesarean section was previous caesarean section 131 (27.2%). Emergency caesarean delivery accounted for 278 (57.8%). Only 16 (3.3%) stayed more than five days postoperatively while the rest, 465 (96.7%), stayed less than five days. There was a gradual yearly increase in rate from 12.1% in 2012 to 19.5% in 2016. Conclusion: The rate of CS in this study has shown a gradual yearly increase with emergency CS having a higher percentage. Early diagnosis and referral of high-risk pregnancies from peripheral hospitals could reduce emergency CS among the study population. Keywords: Caesarean section; rate; secondary healthcare; Nigeria.

Impact of gestational diabetes mellitus diagnosed during the third trimester on pregnancy outcomes: a case-control study

Background In 2010, the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Group (IADPSG) proposed new criteria indicating that gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) can be diagnosed if the fasting threshold of ≤92 mg/dL, 1-h threshold of ≤180 mg/dL, or 2-h threshold of ≤153 mg/dL are exceeded during the 75-g 2-h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) performed at 24–28 weeks of gestation. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends using the proposed diagnostic threshold values of the IADPSG to diagnose GDM; however, it does not limit the timing of the 75-g OGTT. Since 2010 in Japan, GDM has been diagnosed using the same criteria as that proposed by the WHO. However, neither the JSOG nor the WHO has provided any evidence that it is appropriate to use a threshold beyond the range recommended by the IADPSG. Methods This was a single-centre retrospective study based on the medical records and delivery registry database of our centre. We included women who underwent a 50-g glucose challenge test (GCT) with results < 140 mg/dL at 24–28 weeks of gestation and subsequently underwent a 75-g OGTT after 29 weeks of gestation with abnormal glucose tolerance suspected based on clinical findings. The reference values for the 75-g OGTT followed the IADPSG criteria. Subjects were classified into the normal glucose tolerance (NGT) group and the GDM group. The type of delivery and neonatal outcomes of the two groups were compared. A multivariable analysis was performed to match the backgrounds of both groups. Results In total, the NGT and GDM group comprised 189 and 49 women, respectively. Emergency caesarean delivery rates were similar in the GDM and NGT groups (10.6 and 12.2%, respectively; adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.43–3.64; p = 0.74); however, the elective caesarean delivery rate was higher in the GDM group than in the NGT group (16.3 and 5.3%, respectively, adjusted OR, 3.60; 95% CI, 1.27–10.19; p = 0.01). No significant differences were observed in other maternal and neonatal outcomes between both groups. Conclusion Although a diagnosis of GDM during the third trimester does not improve pregnancy outcomes, it increases the elective caesarean delivery rate.

Attributable factors for the rising caesarean delivery rate over three decades: an observational cohort study

Objective: Caesarean delivery rates continue to rise globally the reasons for which are poorly understood. We aimed to characterize attributable factors for increasing caesarean delivery rates over a 30-year period within our health network. Design: Observational cohort study. Setting: Two hospitals (large tertiary referral hospital and metropolitan hospital) in Sydney, Australia, across two time periods: 1989-1999 and 2009-2016, between which the caesarean delivery rate increased from 19% to 30%. Participants: All women who had a caesarean delivery after 24 weeks gestation Methods: Data were analysed using multiple imputation and robust Poisson regression to estimate the changes in the caesarean delivery rate attributable to maternal and clinical factors. Main outcome measures: Caesarean delivery. Results: Fifty-six percent of the increase in the rate of caesarean delivery was attributed to changes in the distribution of maternal factors including maternal age, body mass index, parity and history of previous caesarean delivery. When changes in the obstetric management of multiple gestation, malpresentation and preterm singleton birth were considered, 66% of the increase in caesarean rate was explained. When pre-labour caesarean deliveries for maternal choice, suspected fetal compromise, previous pregnancy issues and suspected large fetus were excluded, 78% of the increase was explained. Conclusions: Most of the steep rise in the caesarean delivery rate from 19% to 30% is attributable to changes in maternal demographic and clinical factors.

A sonographic assessment of previous caesarean section scar: is a reliable safeguard for trial of labour?

Background: Over the time the caesarean delivery rate has significantly increase worldwide from 18.2% in 2002 to 30.3% in 2012. In parous women, previous caesarean section has been found to be the most common indication for caesarean delivery in as high as 67% cases. Unsecure prediction of the integrity of the scarred LUS during labor appears to be one of the reasons for high repeat caesarean rates. The purpose of this study was to assess the usefulness of sonographic measurement of the lower uterine segment scar before labour for deciding whether it is a reliable safeguard for trial of labour or not in a woman having previous one caesarean delivery.Methods: This study was a prospective observational study, carried out on 108 pregnant women having previous one CS, gestational age >37, singleton pregnancy, cephalic presentation. Trans-abdominal USG was done to measure scar thickness. Trial of labour was given to each patient irrespective of scar thickness. Pregnancy outcome were noted in terms of successful VBAC or emergency LSCS and compared with scar thickness. Correlation between sonographic and intra-operative finding of scar were noted.Results: Result shows strong correlation between scar thickness and successful trial of labour. Scar thickness increases chances of successful vaginal deliveries.Conclusions: Sonographic assessment of previous scar has a practical application to predict the thickness and thinness of previous scar and can be taken as a reliable safeguard for trial of labour after previous cesarean but cut off value above which vaginal delivery could be considered safe is yet to be identified.

A case series on conservative management in pregnancies with abnormal placentation in obstetrics: placenta accrete, increta and percreta

Adherent placenta is one of the important causes of post- partum hemorrhage. Placenta accreta-related pathologies are an increasing contributor to maternal death from hemorrhage. With the rising caesarean delivery rate the incidence of placenta accreta has significantly increased. Morbidly adherent placenta (MAP) occurs when there is a defect in the decidua basalis, resulting in an abnormal invasion of the placenta into the substance of the uterus. A multidisciplinary approach is relevant in managing these patients in order to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with morbidly adherent placenta. A non-surgical conservative method is to leave the placenta in situ to reabsorb and institute treatment with chemotherapeutic agents, such as methotrexate. With improvement in the medical services conservative management for adherent placenta has gained significance.