Women’s Autonomy and Scheduled Cesarean Sections in Brazil: A Cautionary Tale

ABSTRACT: Background: In Brazil, one‐fourth of all women deliver in the private sector, where the rate of cesarean deliveries is extremely high (70%). Most (64%) private sector cesareans are scheduled, although many women would have preferred a vaginal delivery. The question this study addresses is whether childbearing women were induced to accept the procedure by their physicians, and if so, how? Methods: Three face‐to‐face structured interviews were conducted with 1,612 women (519 private sector and 1,093 public sector) early in pregnancy, approximately 1 month before their due date, and approximately 1 month postpartum. For all private sector patients having a scheduled cesarean section, women’s self‐reported reasons given for programming surgical delivery were classified into three groups according to obstetrical justification. Results: After loss to follow‐up (19.2% of private sector and 34.4% of public sector), our final sample included 1,136 women (419 private sector and 717 public sector). Compared with public sector participants in the final sample, on average, private sector participants were older by 3.4 years (28.7 vs 25.3 yr), had 0.4 fewer previous deliveries (0.6 vs 1.0), and had 3.4 more years of education (11.0 vs 7.6 yr). The final samples also differed slightly with respect to preference for vaginal delivery: 72.3 percent among those in the private sector and 79.6 percent in public sector. The cesarean section rate was 72 percent in the private sector and 31 percent in the public sector. Of the women with reports about the timing of the cesarean decision, 64.4 percent had a scheduled cesarean delivery in the private sector compared with 23.7 percent in the public sector. Many cesarean sections were scheduled for an “unjustified” medical reason, especially among women who, during pregnancy, had declared a preference for a vaginal delivery. Among 96 women in this latter group, the reason reported for the procedure was unjustified in 33 cases. On the other hand, more cesarean deliveries were scheduled for “no medical justification,” including physician’s or the woman’s convenience, among women who preferred to deliver by cesarean (35/65). The incidence of real medical reasons for a scheduled cesarean section diagnosed before the onset of labor among private sector patients who had no previous cesarean birth and who wanted a vaginal delivery was 13 percent (31/243). Conclusions: The data suggest that doctors frequently persuaded their patients to accept a scheduled cesarean section for conditions that either did not exist or did not justify this procedure. The problem identified in this paper may extend well beyond Brazil and should be of concern to those with responsibility for ethical behavior in obstetrics. (BIRTH 35:1 March 2008)     

Mode of Delivery after Epidural Analgesia in a Cohort of Low‐Risk Nulliparas

Abstract: Background: Although epidural analgesia is widespread and very effective for alleviating labor pain, its use is still controversial, as the literature is inconsistent about the risk of adverse birth outcome after administration of epidural analgesia. The aim of this study was to explore associations between epidural analgesia and mode of delivery. Methods: Data were obtained from a prospective cohort from nine Danish labor wards and comprised 2,721 term nulliparous women with spontaneous onset of labor and a singleton fetus in cephalic presentation. Information about epidural analgesia, mode of delivery, and birth complications was obtained by the staff attending labor. Additional information was provided from self‐administered questionnaires in gestational week 37. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the association between epidural analgesia and birth outcomes. Results are presented as crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR [95% CI]). Results: Of the total cohort, 21.6 percent required epidural analgesia, 8.7 percent had emergency cesarean section, and 14.9 percent had vacuum extraction. Women with epidural analgesia had a higher risk of emergency cesarean section (adjusted OR: 5.8; 95% CI: 4.1–8.1), and vacuum extraction (adjusted OR: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.3–2.2). In a subgroup of the cohort with a very low overall risk of cesarean section, 3.4 percent had emergency cesarean section and an increased risk of emergency cesarean section was also found in this group (adjusted OR: 3.5; 95% CI: 1.5–8.2). Conclusions: In nulliparous women of a very low‐risk population, use of epidural analgesia for labor pain was associated with higher risks of emergency cesarean section and vacuum extraction. (BIRTH 38:4 December 2011)     

Single indication of labor induction with prostaglandins: is advanced maternal age a risk factor for cesarean section? A matched retrospective cohort study

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate if advance maternal age is an independent risk factor for cesarean section in women induced with prostaglandins. Only patients with a single indication for induction of labor were considered.

Methods: A matched retrospective cohort study was conducted. A study group of 112 women aged 35 or older was enrolled. The control group included 216 women aged 34 or younger. Multivariate logistical regression models were fitted for the prediction of the cesarean section.

Results: There were no statistically significant differences in characteristics of the patients in the study and control groups. However, a higher prevalence of nulliparous women was found in control group (p?=?0.002). The indications of labor induction were homogeneous in the two groups. No significant differences were found in the route of delivery. The median time of labor was significantly shorter in the study group (p?=?0.002), and the birth weight and the placental weight were significantly lower in the study group. Advanced maternal age and newborn weight were directly related, whereas time of labor, Bishop score and parity were inversely related to a higher cesarean rate.

Conclusions: When single indication of induction of labor with prostaglandins is considered, advanced maternal age represents a significant independent risk factor for cesarean delivery.     

Maternal age and primary cesarean section rates: a multivariate analysis

To study the effect of maternal age on primary cesarean section rates, 3458 consecutive deliveries were analyzed. The cesarean section rates in primiparous women less than 25, 25 to 34, and over 34 years of age were 13.1%, 18.5%, and 28.2%, respectively. A similarly dramatic rise with advancing maternal age was seen in multiparous women with rates of 3.4%, 4.7%, and 10.1%, respectively, in the three age groups. The strong association between cesarean section and maternal age persisted after multivariate adjustment for induction of labor, epidural anesthesia, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, and fetal distress, and thus these factors do not explain the relationship.     

Continuity of Nursing Care and Its Link to Cesarean Birth Rate

ABSTRACT: Background: High cesarean birth rates are an international concern. The role of patterns of nursing care responsibility in preventing or contributing to cesarean births has been understudied. Our study sought to identify and describe indicators of continuity of nursing care responsibility during labor and to explore whether any association between these indicators and risk of cesarean birth could be identified empirically using an existing data set. Methods: We obtained a representative sample of low‐risk women giving birth in an intrapartum unit at a university hospital in Quebec, Canada, with approximately 3,700 births per year. To be considered for inclusion, women needed to have been primiparous, carrying singletons in vertex position, and at 37 weeks’ gestation or more. All women giving birth over a 13‐month period were assessed for eligibility using the hospital’s birth log. Data were extracted from the medical records of every second eligible birth, including information related to patterns of nursing care responsibility, maternal and infant characteristics, obstetric procedures, non–health‐related risk factors, and type of birth. Results: Data on all variables of interest were available for 467 women. These women were cared for by 1–17 nurses, care responsibility changed hands for them from 1 to 28 times, and the mean length of labor for which the same nurse was responsible for a woman ranged from 10 to 1,045 minutes. After controlling for length of labor, maternal age, maternal height, infant weight, gestational age, induction, type of rupture, and epidural analgesia, the odds ratio for cesarean birth due to number of nurses was 1.17 (95% CI 1.04, 1.32); 1 or more nurses switch per 2 hours (i.e., number of times care responsibilities changed hands), 1.04 (95% CI 0.62, 1.74); and 33 percent or more of the labor attended by the same nurse, 0.74 (95% CI 0.42, 1.30). Conclusions: An association was observed between number of nurses caring for a laboring woman and risk of cesarean delivery. Estimates of the association of other patterns of nursing care responsibility on cesarean birth were not sufficiently precise to draw conclusions. (BIRTH 34:1 March 2007)     

Operative Deliveries in Low‐Risk Pregnancies in The Netherlands: Primary versus Secondary Care

ABSTRACT: Background: In The Netherlands, 35 percent of births take place in “primary care” to women considered at low risk and during labor, approximately 30 percent are referred to “secondary care.” High‐risk women and some low‐risk women deliver in secondary care. This study sought to compare planned place of birth and incidence of operative delivery among women at low risk of complications at the time of onset of labor. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of data about births in The Netherlands during 2003 that were recorded routinely in the Netherlands Perinatal Registry. Mode of delivery was analyzed for women classified as low risk at labor onset according to their planned place of birth (intention‐to‐treat analysis). The primary outcome was the rate of operative deliveries (vacuum or forceps extraction or cesarean section). Results: Women at low risk who planned to give birth, and therefore labored and delivered in secondary care, had a significantly higher rate of operative deliveries than women who began labor in primary care where they intended to give birth (18% [3,558/19,850] vs 9% [7,803/87,187]) (OR 2.25, 95% CI 2.00–2.52). For cesarean section, the rates were 12 percent (2,419/19,850) versus 3 percent (2,990/87,817) (OR 3.97, 95% CI 3.15–5.01), irrespective of parity. Conclusions: The rate of operative deliveries was significantly lower for low‐risk pregnant women who gave birth in a primary care setting compared with similar women who planned birth in secondary care. As with any retrospective analysis, it was not possible to eliminate bias, such as possible differences between primary and secondary care in assignment of risk status. In addition, known risk factors for interventions, technologies such as induction of labor and fetal monitoring, are only available in secondary care. These findings clearly demonstrate the need for a prospective study to examine the relationship between planned place of birth and mode of delivery and neonatal and maternal outcomes. (BIRTH 35:4 December 2008)     

Attitudes of the New Generation of Canadian Obstetricians: How Do They Differ from Their Predecessors?

Background: Attitudes drive practice, perhaps more than evidence . The objective of this study was to determine if the new generation of Canadian obstetricians has attitudes differing from those of their predecessors. Methods: Employing a cross‐sectional, Internet, and paper‐based survey, we conducted an in‐depth study of obstetricians responding to the Canadian National Maternity Care Attitudes Survey. Results: Of the 800 Canadian obstetricians providing intrapartum care, 549 (68.6%) responded. Participants were stratified by age less than or equal to 40 years compared with those over 40 years; 81 percent of those 40 years or younger were women versus 40 percent over 40 years of age. Younger obstetricians were significantly more likely to favor use of routine epidural analgesia and believed that it did not interfere with labor or lead to instrumentation; were more concerned and feared the perineal and pelvic floor consequences of vaginal birth compared with cesarean section; and were significantly less supportive of vaginal birth after prior cesarean section, home birth, birth plans, routine episiotomy, and routine electronic fetal monitoring as providing maternal or fetal benefits. They were less positive than the older generation about a range of approaches to reducing the cesarean section rate, the importance of maternal choice and role in their own birth, and peer review, and they were more likely to believe that women having a cesarean section were not missing an important experience. No significant generational differences were found for ambivalent attitudes to vaginal breech birth. Conclusions: Younger obstetricians were more evidence‐based for some issues and less for others. In general younger obstetricians were more supportive of the role of birth technology in normal birth, including routine epidural analgesia, and they were less appreciative of the role of women in their own birth. They saw cesarean section as a solution to many perceived labor and birth problems. Results suggest a need to examine how obstetricians acquire their favorable attitudes to birth technology in normal birth. (BIRTH 38:2 June 2011)     

Mothers’ Level of Education and Childbirth Interventions: A Population‐based Study in Flanders,Northern Belgium

Abstract: Background: Interventions to influence the time and way to be born have been a global concern for decades. Yet, limited information is available on what drives these interventions and their variation in frequency among countries, institutions, and practitioners. The objective of this study was to examine to what extent first‐time mothers’ educational achievement contributes to the frequency of childbirth interventions. Methods: Childbirth interventions, including induction of labor, cesarean section, instrumental delivery, and epidural analgesia, registered by the Flemish Study Center for Perinatal Epidemiology for Belgian‐born nulliparous women from 1999 to 2006, were linked to the level of maternal education, recorded by the Belgian civil birth registration. Education was divided into four levels based on the highest diploma attained and adjusted for marital and occupational status. Results: Frequencies of all interventions were inversely related to the level of maternal education. The effect remained after adjustment for birth year, maternal age, marital status, occupation, infant birthweight, gestational age, assisted conception, and type of hospital. Effect sizes between highest and lowest levels of education were relatively small for operative (31% vs 36%) and instrumental vaginal birth (20.7% vs 22.3%) compared with “initiated delivery” (defined as labor induction and prelabor cesarean section; 30.2% vs 40.3%) and epidural analgesia (66.8% vs 78.0%). The educational gradient in initiated delivery occurred at all gestational ages, contributing to lower gestational age and lower birthweight of term infants with decreasing levels of education. Conclusions: In an affluent society with universal and equitable access to maternity care, the more educated women are, the more likely they are to have a spontaneous labor and spontaneous birth without intervention. (BIRTH 38:3 September 2011)     

The indication for induction of labor impacts the risk of cesarean delivery

Objective: The risk of cesarean delivery following labor induction has been clearly established. While numerous factors are known to impact this risk, the indication for induction has rarely been examined as a risk factor. This study aimed to examine the relationship between indication for induction and ultimate mode of delivery after labor induction.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted examining all cases of labor induction in a tertiary center university teaching hospital over a one-year period. The primary outcome measure was mode of delivery (vaginal delivery versus cesarean delivery) and its relationship to the indication for induction. Secondary outcome measures were: parity, maternal age, birth week, cervical maturity, use of epidural anesthesia, fetal birth weight and fetal sex.

Results: Seven hundred and ninety-six women met inclusion criteria, of which 17.1% ultimately underwent cesarean delivery. Using multivariate analysis, fetal indications for induction (including intra-uterine growth restriction, oligohydramnios, placental abruption, macrosomia and post-term pregnancy) were found to significantly increase the risk of cesarean delivery in nulliparous women. The other significant factor was birth after week 40?+?0.

Conclusions: The indication for labor induction impacts the risk of cesarean delivery. Specifically, induction of labor for fetal indications significantly increases the risk of cesarean delivery in nulliparous women.     

Risk of cesarean delivery with elective induction of labor at term in nulliparous women.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the risk of cesarean delivery associated with elective induction of labor in nulliparous women at term. METHODS: We performed a cohort study on a major urban obstetric service that serves predominantly private obstetric practices. All term, nulliparous women with vertex, singleton gestations who labored during an 8-month period (n = 1561) were divided into three groups: spontaneous labor, elective induction, and medical induction. The risk of cesarean delivery in the induction groups was determined using stepwise logistic regression to control for potential confounding factors. RESULTS: Women experiencing spontaneous labor had a 7.8% cesarean delivery rate, whereas women undergoing elective labor induction had a 17.5% cesarean delivery rate (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.89; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12, 3.18) and women undergoing medically indicated labor induction had a 17.7% cesarean delivery rate (OR 1.69; 95% CI 1.13, 2.54). Other variables that remained significant risk factors for cesarean delivery in the model included: epidural placement at less than 4 cm dilatation (OR 4.66; 95% CI 2.25, 9.66), epidural placement after 4 cm dilatation (OR 2.18; 95% CI 1.06, 4.48), chorioamnionitis (OR 4.61; 95% CI 2.89, 7.35), birth weight greater than 4000 g (OR 2.59; 95% CI 1.69, 3.97), maternal body mass index greater than 26 kg/m2 (OR 2.36; 95% CI 1.61, 3.47), Asian race (OR 2.35; 95% CI 1.04, 5.34), and magnesium sulfate use (OR 2.18; 95% CI 1.04, 4.55). CONCLUSION: Elective induction of labor is associated with a significantly increased risk of cesarean delivery in nulliparous women. Avoiding labor induction in settings of unproved benefit may aid efforts to reduce the primary cesarean delivery rate.     

Factors that are associated with cesarean delivery in a large private practice: the importance of prepregnancy body mass index and weight gain

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine body mass index and pregnancy weight gain as risk factors for primary cesarean delivery in nulliparous women in a middle-class private practice. STUDY DESIGN: Primiparous women who delivered in a private practice setting between February 1993 and July 13, 2001, were included. CIs along with Z statistics for paired count data were used to assess the statistical significance and relative importance of the relationships of body mass index and maternal weight gain to cesarean delivery. The effect of body mass index was examined as related to known confounders such as gestational age, birth weight, maternal age, and maternal height. RESULTS: The overall cesarean delivery rate for primiparous women was 21.76%. Risk of cesarean delivery increased consistently and significantly (P <.0001) with increasing body mass index. This effect was primarily mediated through an increase in cesarean delivery carried out for cephalopelvic disproportion/failure to progress. In our practice, the primiparous woman whose body mass index is >30 kg/m(2) is six times more likely to have a cesarean delivery for the diagnosis of cephalopelvic disproportion/failure to progress than the primiparous woman whose body mass index is <20 kg/m(2). This differential in cesarean delivery rate persisted when controlled for birth weight and gestational age and continues to persist when maternal age and height are also controlled. Excessive pregnancy weight gain exerted a statistically significant effect on cesarean delivery rate. This increase was primarily related to cephalopelvic disproportion/failure to progress among the nonobese women. CONCLUSION: Maternal body mass index is related strongly to the ability of primiparous women to be delivered vaginally without great difficulty. In fact, lean patients are excellent labor performers, particularly in contrast with obese patients. The relationship of increased body mass index to increased cesarean delivery is due to an increased rate of cephalopelvic disproportion/failure to progress. Excessive pregnancy weight gain is associated with a doubling of cephalopelvic disproportion/failure to progress rate in nonobese patients.     

The effect of continuous epidural analgesia on cesarean section for dystocia in nulliparous women

Epidural analgesia in labor is generally accepted as safe and effective and therefore has become increasingly popular. However, little is known regarding the effect of epidural analgesia on the incidence of cesarean section for dystocia in nulliparous women. During the first 6 months of 1987 we studied 711 consecutive nulliparous women at term, with cephalic fetal presentations and spontaneous onset of labor. Comparison of 447 patients who received epidural analgesia in labor with 264 patients who received either narcotics or no analgesia was performed. The incidence of cesarean section for dystocia was significantly greater (p less than 0.005) in the epidural group (10.3%) than in the nonepidural group (3.8%). There remained a significantly increased incidence (p less than 0.005) of cesarean section for dystocia in the epidural group after selection bias was corrected and the following confounding variables were controlled by multivariate analysis: maternal age, race, gestational age, cervical dilatation on admission, use of oxytocin, duration of oxytocin use, maximum infusion rate of oxytocin, duration of labor, presence of meconium, and birth weight. The incidence of cesarean section for fetal distress was similar (p greater than 0.20) in both groups. There were no clinically significant differences in frequency of low Apgar scores at 5 minutes or cord arterial and venous blood gas parameters between the two groups. This study suggests that epidural analgesia in labor may increase the incidence of cesarean section for dystocia in nulliparous women.     

Elective induction vs. spontaneous labor associations and outcomes

OBJECTIVE: To determine factors and outcomes associated with elective medical induction of labor as compared with spontaneous labor in low-risk women. STUDY DESIGN: Using a birth certificate database including 11,849 low-risk, laboring women, univariate and multiple logistic regression was used to evaluate demographic and obstetric factors associated with elective labor induction. Low risk was defined as singleton, vertex, 37-41 weeks' gestation, no prior cesarean section, and no presenting medical/obstetric diagnoses considered indications for cesarean or induction. Adverse neonatal outcome was defined as 1- or 5-minute Apgar score < 7, neonatal intensive care unit admission or respiratory distress. Spontaneously laboring women (n = 10,608) were compared with women who underwent induced labor for no apparent medical/obstetric reason (n = 1,241). Interventions and outcomes during and after labor induction were adjusted for relevant associated variables. RESULTS: Odds ratios for epidural anesthesia, cesarean delivery and diagnoses of nonreassuring fetal heart rate patterns were independently increased following elective induction; odds ratios for cephalopelvic disproportion, instrumental delivery and adverse neonatal outcome were not. Maternal length of stay was 0.34 days longer with induction than with spontaneous labor (p < 0.0001). Slightly more induced labors ended before midnight. CONCLUSION: As compared with spontaneous labor, elective labor induction is independently associated with more intrapartum interventions, more cesarean deliveries and longer maternal length of stay. Neonatal outcome is unaffected.     

CESAREAN SECTION RATES IN LOW-RISK PRIVATE PATIENTS MANAGED BY CERTIFIED NURSE-MIDWIVES AND OBSTETRICIANS

This study was designed to assess the impact of selected medical interventions during labor upon cesarean section rates by comparing the maternal and neonatal outcomes of obstetrician- and nurse-midwife-managed low-risk private patients. All patients who delivered at Prentice Women's Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, from January 1, 1987 through December 31, 1990 were evaluated for low-risk criteria to be included in the study. During that time, the nurse-midwives delivered 573 patients and the obstetricians delivered 12,077 patients. Patients with fetal and maternal complications known to increase the cesarean section rate were eliminated from both groups. Eight percent of the nurse-midwife patients and 32% of the physician patients were eliminated, leaving 529 nurse-midwife patients and 8,266 physician patients. These patients were compared for race, parity, age, and birth weight. Information was collected from a perinatal data base and hospital computerized statistics. The rates of cesarean section, administration of oxytocin, analgesia, anesthesia, and infant outcome data were compared by chi-square analysis. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to assess factors that predicted cesarean section. Nurse-midwife-managed patients had a significantly lower rate of cesarean section (8.5% versus 12.9%; P < .005) and operative vaginal delivery (5.3% versus 17%, P = .0001) than the physician-managed patients. Epidural anesthesia and oxytocin for induction and augmentation were used significantly more frequently in the physician-managed patients. Both interventions were associated with an increased rate of cesarean section. Fetal outcomes in the two groups were not statistically different. Women cared for by nurse-midwives had a lower cesarean section rate, fewer interventions, and equally good maternal and infant outcomes when compared with those cared for by physicians.     

Repeat Cesarean Delivery: What Indications Are Recorded in the Medical Chart?

Abstract: Background: National surveillance estimates reported a troubling 63 percent decline in the rate of vaginal birth after cesarean delivery (VBAC) from 1996 (28.3%) to 2003 (10.6%), with subsequent rising rates of repeat cesarean delivery. The study objective was to examine patterns of documented indications for repeat cesarean delivery in women with and without labor. Methods: We conducted a population‐based validation study of 19 nonfederal short‐stay hospitals in Washington state. Of the 4,541 women who had live births in 2000, 11 percent (n = 493) had repeat cesarean without labor and 3 percent (n = 138) had repeat cesarean with labor. Incidence of medical conditions and pregnancy complications, patterns of documented indications for repeat cesarean delivery, and perioperative complications in relation to repeat cesarean delivery with and without labor were calculated. Results: Of the 493 women who underwent a repeat cesarean delivery without labor, “elective”(36%) and “maternal request”(18%) were the most common indications. Indications for maternal medical conditions (3.0%) were uncommon. Among the 138 women with repeat cesarean delivery with labor, 60.1 percent had failure to progress, 24.6 percent a non‐reassuring fetal heart rate, 8.0 percent cephalopelvic disproportion, and 7.2 percent maternal request during labor. Fetal indications were less common (5.8%). Breech, failed vacuum, abruptio placentae, maternal complications, and failed forceps were all indicated less than 5.0 percent. Women's perioperative complications did not vary significantly between women without and with labor. Regardless of a woman's labor status, nearly 10 percent of women with repeat cesarean delivery had no documented indication as to why a cesarean delivery was performed. Conclusions: “Elective” and “maternal request” were common indications among women undergoing repeat cesarean delivery without labor, and nearly 10 percent of women had undocumented indications for repeat cesarean delivery in their medical record. Improvements in standardization of indication nomenclature and documentation of indication are especially important for understanding falling VBAC rates. Future research should examine how clinicians and women anticipate, discuss, and make decisions about childbirth after a previous cesarean delivery within the context of actual antepartum care. (BIRTH 33:1 March 2006)     

Are There “Unnecessary” Cesarean Sections? Perceptions of Women and Obstetricians About Cesarean Sections for Nonclinical Indications

ABSTRACT: Background: The belief that many women demand cesarean sections in the absence of clinical indications appears to be pervasive. The aim of this study was to examine whether, and in what context, maternal requests for cesarean section are made. Methods: Quantitative and qualitative methods were used. The overall study comprised 4 substudies: 23 multiparous and 41 primiparous pregnant women were asked to complete diaries recording events related to birth planning and expectations; 44 women who had considered, or been asked to consider, cesarean section during pregnancy were interviewed postnatally; 24 consultants and registrars in 3 district hospitals and 1 city hospital were interviewed; 5 consultants with known strong views about cesarean section were also interviewed; and 785 consultants from the United Kingdom and Eire completed postal questionnaires. Results: No woman requested cesarean section in the absence of, what she considered, clinical or psychological indications. Fear for themselves or their baby appeared to be major factors behind women’s requests for cesarean section, coupled with the belief that cesarean section was safest for the baby. Most obstetricians reported few requests for cesarean section, but nevertheless, cited maternal request as the most important factor affecting the national rising cesarean section rate. Several obstetricians discussed the significance of women’s fears and the importance of taking the time to talk to women about these fears. Conclusions: Existing evidence for large numbers of women requesting cesarean sections in the absence of clinical indications is weak. This study supports the thesis that these women comprise a small minority. Psychological issues and maternal perceptions of risk appear to be significant factors in many maternal requests. Despite this finding, maternal request is perceived by obstetricians to be a major factor in driving the cesarean section rate upward. (BIRTH 34:1 March 2007)     

Impact of First Childbirth on Changes in Women’s Preference for Mode of Delivery: Follow‐up of a Longitudinal Observational Study

ABSTRACT: Background: A woman’s childbirth experience has an influence on her future preferred mode of delivery. This study aimed to identify determinants for women who changed from preferring a planned vaginal birth to an elective cesarean section after their first childbirth. Methods: This prospective longitudinal observational study involved two units that provide obstetric care in Hong Kong. A mail survey was sent to 259 women 6 months after their first childbirth. These women had participated in a longitudinal cohort study that examined their preference for elective cesarean section in the antenatal period of their first pregnancies. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify determinants for women who changed from preferring vaginal birth to elective cesarean section. Results: Twenty‐four percent (23.8%, 95% CI 18.4–29.3) of women changed from preferring vaginal birth to elective cesarean section after their first childbirth. Determinants found to be positively associated with this change included actual delivery by elective cesarean section (OR 106.3, 95% CI 14.7–767.4) intrauterine growth restriction (OR 19.5, 95% CI 1.1–353.6), actual delivery by emergency cesarean section (OR 8.4, 95% CI 3.4–20.6), higher family income (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.1–8.8), use of epidural analgesia (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.0–6.8), and higher trait anxiety score (OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.0–1.3). The most important reason for women who changed from preferring vaginal birth to elective cesarean section was fear of vaginal birth (24.4%). Conclusions: A significant proportion of women changed their preferred mode of delivery after their first childbirth. Apart from reducing the number of cesarean sections in nulliparous women, prompt provision of education to women who had complications and investigations into fear factors during vaginal birth might help in reducing women’s wish to change to elective cesarean section. (BIRTH 35:2 June 2008)     

Admission of Term Infants to Neonatal Intensive Care: A Population‐Based Study

ABSTRACT: Background: Neonatal intensive care and special care nurseries provide a level of care that is both high in cost and low in volume. The aim of our study was to determine the rate of admission of term babies to neonatal intensive care in association with each method of giving birth among low‐risk women. Methods: We examined the records of 1,001,249 women who gave birth in Australia during 1999 to 2002 using data from the National Perinatal Data Collection. Among low‐risk women, we calculated the adjusted odds of admission to neonatal intensive care at term separated for each week of gestational age between 37 and 41 completed weeks. We also calculated the odds of admission to neonatal intensive care in association with cesarean section before or after the onset of labor, and vacuum or instrumental birth compared with unassisted vaginal birth at 40 weeks’ gestation. Results: The overall rate of admission to neonatal intensive care of term babies was 8.9 percent for primiparas and 6.3 percent for multiparas. After a cesarean section before the onset of labor, the adjusted odds of admission among low‐risk primiparas at 37 weeks’ gestation were 12.08 (99% CI 8.64–16.89); at 38 weeks, 7.49 (99% CI 5.54–10.11); and at 39 weeks, 2.80 (99% CI 2.02–3.88). At 41 weeks, the adjusted odds were not significantly higher than those at 40 weeks’ gestation. Among low‐risk multiparas who had a cesarean section before the onset of labor, the adjusted odds of admission to neonatal intensive care at 37 weeks’ gestation were 15.40 (99% CI 12.87–18.43); at 38 weeks, 12.13 (99% CI 10.37–14.19); and at 39 weeks, 5.09 (99% CI 4.31–6.00). At 41 weeks’ gestation, the adjusted odds of admission were significantly lower than those at 40 weeks (AOR 0.64, 99% CI 0.47–0.88). Babies born after any operative method of birth were at increased odds of being admitted to neonatal intensive care compared with those born after unassisted vaginal birth at 40 weeks’ gestation. Conclusions: The adjusted odds of admission to neonatal intensive care for babies of low‐risk women were increased after birth at 37 weeks’ gestation. In a climate of rising cesarean sections, this information is important to women who may be considering elective procedures. (BIRTH 34:4 December 2007)     

Cesarean section rate: much room for reduction

OBJECTIVE: To examine the indications and rate of cesarean section in referral hospitals. METHODS: Between January 2003 and December 2005, a total of 11,506 women delivered at King Hussein Medical Center, of which 2,075 cesarean sections (CS) were performed. Patients who underwent cesarean section were divided into three age subgroups: < 25 yr (n = 3,118), 25-35 (n = 6,147), and > 35 yr (n = 2,241), and two parity subgroups - primiparous (n = 3,326) and multiparous (n = 8,180). Information abstracted included maternal characteristics and indications for CS. Statistical analyses were performed using the Pearson chi-square test and Fisher's exact test to evaluate differences between the various subgroups. RESULTS: From a total of 11,506 deliveries that took place, 2,075 cesarean sections were performed with an incidence of 18%. According to age, the CS rate was 11.85%, 20.5% and 19.9%, respectively, in the three age subgroups. According to parity, the CS rate was 16.3% and 18.7% in the primiparous and multiparous women, respectively. When matched to age, the indications for CS showed no significant difference among the three age subgroups. When matched to parity, the indications also showed no significant difference between the two parity subgroups except for dystocia which was significantly higher in the primiparous compared to multiparous women (p < 0.01), and for repeated CS which was significantly higher in the multiparous compared to primiparous women (p < 0.0001) CONCLUSION: Some indications for cesarean section such as dystocia and fetal distress were over-utilized resulting in a high CS rate. Proper management of labor and precise interpretation of fetal heart tracing might be effective in reducing the cesarean section rate.