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)     

Report of a Breech Cesarean Section Maternal Death

In Australia in 2007, a woman with two previous normal vaginal deliveries underwent an emergency cesarean section at full dilatation of the cervix with a breech presentation. The woman died after a severe hemorrhage. The official Coroner’s Report attributed the cause of death to postpartum hemorrhage, whereas the breech presentation was barely mentioned, suggesting that complications with breech cesarean deliveries are under‐appreciated and under‐reported. (BIRTH 38:2 June 2011)     

Cesarean Section on Maternal Request: A Societal and Professional Failure and Symptom of a Much Larger Problem

The scientific literature was silent about a relationship of pelvic floor, urinary, and fecal incontinence and sexual issues with mode of birth until 1993, when Sultan et al's impressive rectal ultrasound studies were published. They showed that perirectal fibers were damaged in many vaginal births, but not as a result of a cesarean section. These findings helped to pioneer a new area of research, ultimately leading to increasing support among health professionals and the public that maternal choice of cesarean delivery could be justified—even that maternal choice and autonomous decision‐making trump other considerations, including evidence. A growing number of birth practitioners are choosing cesarean section for themselves—usually on the basis of concerns over pelvic floor, urinary incontinence, and sexual issues. Behind this choice is a training experience that focuses on the abnormal, interprets the literature through a pathological lens, and lacks sufficient opportunity to see normal childbirth. Cesarean section on maternal request is a complex issue based on fear and misinformation that is a symptom of a system needing reform, that is, a major change in community and professional education, governmental policy making, and creation of environments emphasizing the normal. Systemic change will require the training of obstetricians mainly as consultants and the education of a much larger cadre of midwives and family physicians who will provide care for most pregnant women in settings designed to facilitate the normal. Tinkering with the system will not work—it requires a complete refit. (BIRTH 39:4 December 2012)     

A Critique of the Literature on Women’s Request for Cesarean Section

ABSTRACT: Background: The influence of women’s birth preferences on the rising cesarean section rates is uncertain and possibly changing. This review of publications relating to women’s request for cesarean delivery explores assumptions related to the social, cultural, and political‐economic contexts of maternity care and decision making. Method: A search of major databases was undertaken using the following terms: “c(a)esarean section” with “maternal request,”“decision‐making,”“patient participation,”“decision‐making‐patient,”“patient satisfaction,”“patient preference,”“maternal choice,”“on demand,” and “consumer demand.” Seventeen papers examining women’s preferred type of birth were retrieved. Results: No studies systematically examined information provided to women by health professionals to inform their decision. Some studies did not adequately acknowledge the influence of obstetric and psychological factors in relation to women’s request for a cesarean section. Other potential influences were poorly addressed, including whether or not the doctor advised a vaginal birth, women’s access to midwifery care in pregnancy, information provision, quality of care, and cultural issues. Discussion: The psychosocial context of obstetric care reveals a power imbalance in favor of physicians. Research into decision making about cesarean section that does not account for the way care is offered, observe interactions between women and practitioners, and analyze the context of care should be interpreted with caution. (BIRTH 34:4 December 2007)     

Cesarean Section: Norwegian Women Do as Obstetricians Do—Not as Obstetricians Say

ABSTRACT: Background: The worrying trend of an ever‐increasing incidence of delivery by cesarean section has been commented on repeatedly. Studies from the United Kingdom and the United States have found that many obstetricians would choose cesarean section for themselves without strict medical indication, whereas similar studies from Denmark and Norway have indicated that almost none would choose cesarean section for themselves. The purpose of this study was to report the proportion of Norwegian obstetricians who have children born by cesarean section and to compare the rate with that among other physicians and that with the general population. Methods: Questionnaires were sent to 1,500 random members of the Norwegian general public, 1,500 randomly selected physicians, and 423 random surgeons asking whether they had children born by cesarean section. All were between the ages of 40 and 65 years. Results: The response rate was 78 percent. In the general public with children, 12 percent reported that one or more of them were born by cesarean section. The average was 8 percent among those with only basic schooling compared with 16 percent (p < 0.02) among those who had been to university for more than 4 years. This figure was 19 percent among physicians in general (p < 0.001 compared with the general population), 26 percent among surgeons, and 27 percent among the 189 specialists in obstetrics and gynecology (p < 0.02 compared with the physicians in general). Conclusion: The rate of cesarean section in the general population is unlikely to fall as long as so many obstetricians have their own children delivered by cesarean section. (BIRTH 35:2 June 2008)     

Elective Cesarean Section and Decision Making: A Critical Review of the Literature

ABSTRACT: Background: The cesarean section rate continues to rise in many countries with routine access to medical services, yet this increase is not associated with improvement in perinatal mortality or morbidity. A large number of commentaries in the medical literature and media suggest that consumer demand contributes significantly to the continued rise of births by cesarean section internationally. The objective of this article was to critically review the research literature concerning women’s preference or request for elective cesarean section published since that critiqued by Gamble and Creedy in 2000. Methods: A search of key databases using a range of search terms produced over 200 articles, of which 80 were potentially relevant. Of these, 38 were research‐based articles and 40 were opinion‐based articles. A total of 17 articles fitted the criteria for review. A range of methodologies was used, with varying quality, making meta‐analysis of findings inappropriate, and simple summaries of results difficult to produce. Results: The range and quality of studies had increased since 2001, reflecting continuing concern. Women’s preference for cesarean section varied from 0.3 to 14 percent; however, only 3 studies looked directly at this preference in the absence of clinical indications. Women’s preference for a cesarean section related to psychological factors, perceptions of safety, or in some countries, was influenced by cultural or social factors. Conclusions: Research between 2000 and 2005 shows evidence of very small numbers of women requesting a cesarean section. A range of personal and societal reasons, including fear of birth and perceived inequality and inadequacy of care, underpinned these requests. (BIRTH 34:1 March 2007)     

Survey of Canadian Obstetricians Regarding the Management of Term Breech Presentation

Objective: the objective of this study was to determine current attitudes and practices of obstetricians in Canada regarding the management of breech presentation at term.Methods: a survey was sent to 307 obstetricians across Canada to determine their views on trial of labour for frank and non-frank breech presentation at term, use of external cephalic version, acquisition of skills by residents, influence of the medico-legal climate, and participation in a randomized controlled trial of Caesarean section versus planned vaginal delivery for breech presentation at term.Results: most obstetricians surveyed were from teaching hospitals and from hospitals in Ontario or the Western provinces. The response rate was 65 percent. Almost all of the respondents (96%) were supportive of a trial of labour for the frank breech, and many were supportive of a trial of labour for the non-frank breech presentation. Most (68%) performed external cephalic version, although 52 percent considered their success rate to be less than 50 percent. Most of the respondents (69%) did not feel that residents were acquiring the necessary skills to manage a trial of labour and vaginal delivery for the frank breech presentation at term. Many (46%) indicated that the medico-legal climate had a major influence on clinical decision making. Most respondents (58%) were willing to ask patients to be entered into a randomized controlled trial of Caesarean section versus planned vaginal delivery, and most (78%) indicated that they would be prepared to change their practice based on the results of such a trial.Conclusions: most obstetricians surveyed would support a trial of labour in selected pregnancies.     

Central Fetal Monitoring: Effect on Perinatal Outcomes and Cesarean Section Rate

ABSTRACT: Background: In a trend similar to continuous electronic fetal monitoring, many hospitals are incorporating central fetal monitoring into labor and delivery suites. The objective of this study was to investigate whether the use of central fetal monitoring had an effect on neonatal outcomes or cesarean section rate. Methods: This retrospective study involved patient data from deliveries occurring at Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, between the years 2000 and 2003. In the period from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2001, central fetal monitoring was available, whereas in the period from February 1, 2002, to December 31, 2003, it was unavailable. Data on deliveries at Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo were obtained using the Western New York Perinatal Data System, which is an electronic data set based on birth certificate information. The method of delivery, admission to the neonatal intensive care unit, and 5‐minute Apgar scores less than 7 were compared for deliveries occurring with and without the use of central fetal monitoring. These outcomes were further subdivided into full‐term and preterm deliveries. Results: Three thousand five hundred and twelve deliveries used central monitoring and 3,007 deliveries did not. For full‐term deliveries, in the years with central fetal monitoring compared with the years without it, no differences in the cesarean section rate (13.4 vs 14.5%, not significant [NS]), the admission rate in neonatal intensive care unit (3.3 vs 3.3%, NS), or the incidence of Apgar score less than 7 (0.6 vs 0.5%, NS) were observed. For preterm deliveries, comparing the years with central fetal monitoring with the years without, no differences in the cesarean section rate (21.3 vs 21.3%, NS), the admission rate in neonatal intensive care unit (17.7 vs 20.1%, NS), or the incidence of Apgar score less than 7 (7.0 vs 6.5%, NS) were observed. Analyses pooling all deliveries also failed to show any differences in any of the parameters. Conclusions: No statistically significant difference was demonstrated in the rates of cesarean section, admission to the neonatal intensive care unit, or incidence of Apgar scores of less than 7 associated with the use of central fetal monitoring. Therefore, we could not identify any benefit to the use of central fetal heart rate monitoring. (BIRTH 33:4 December 2006)     

Attitudes of Midwives in Sweden Toward a Woman’s Refusal of an Emergency Cesarean Section or a Cesarean Section on Request

Background: A woman’s refusal or request for a cesarean section can be a problem for midwives and obstetricians working in maternity units. The objective of this study was to describe the attitudes of midwives in Sweden toward the obstetrician’s decision making in relation to a woman’s refusal of an emergency cesarean section and to a woman’s request for a cesarean section without a medical indication. Methods: The study has a cross‐sectional multicenter design and used an anonymous, structured, and standardized questionnaire for data collection. The study group comprised midwives who had experience working at a delivery ward at 13 maternity units with neonatal intensive care units in Sweden (n = 259). Results: In the case of a woman’s refusal to undergo an emergency cesarean section for fetal reasons, most midwives (89%) thought that the obstetrician should try to persuade the woman to agree. Concerning a woman’s request for a cesarean section without any medical indications, most midwives thought that the obstetrician should agree if the woman had previous maternal or fetal complications. The reason was to support the woman’s decision out of respect for her autonomy; the midwives at six university hospitals were less willing to accept the woman’s autonomy in this situation. If the only reason was “her own choice,” 77 percent of the midwives responded that the obstetrician should not comply. Conclusions: The main focus of midwives seems to be the baby’s health, and therefore they do not always agree with respect to a woman’s refusal or request for a cesarean section. The midwives prefer to continue to explain the situation and persuade the woman to agree with the recommendation of the obstetrician. (BIRTH 38:1 March 2011)     

Cesarean Section Rates and Maternal and Neonatal Mortality in Low‐, Medium‐, and High‐Income Countries: An Ecological Study

ABSTRACT: Background: Cesarean section rates show a wide variation among countries in the world, ranging from 0.4 to 40 percent, and a continuous rise in the trend has been observed in the past 30 years. Our aim was to explore the association of cesarean section rates of different countries with their maternal and neonatal mortality and to test the hypothesis that in low‐income countries, increasing cesarean section rates were associated with reductions in both outcomes, whereas in high‐income countries, such association did not exist. Methods: We performed a cross‐sectional multigroup ecological study using data from 119 countries from 1991 to 2003. These countries were classified into 3 categories: low‐income (59 countries), medium‐income (31 countries), and high‐income (29 countries) countries according to an international classification. We assessed the ecological association between national cesarean section rates and maternal and neonatal mortality by fitting multiple linear regression models. Results: Median cesarean section rates were lower in low‐income than in medium‐ and high‐income countries. Seventy‐six percent of the low‐income countries, 16 percent of the medium‐income countries, and 3 percent of high‐income countries showed cesarean section rates between 0 and 10 percent. Three percent of low‐income countries, 36 percent of medium‐income countries, and 31 percent of high‐income countries showed cesarean section rates above 20 percent. In low‐income countries, a negative and statistically significant linear correlation was observed between cesarean section rates and neonatal mortality and between cesarean section rates and maternal mortality. No association was observed in medium‐ and high‐income countries for either neonatal mortality or maternal mortality. Conclusions: No association between cesarean section rates and maternal or neonatal mortality was shown in medium‐ and high‐income countries. Thus, it becomes relevant for future good‐quality research to assess the effect of the high figures of cesarean section rates on maternal and neonatal morbidity. For low‐income countries, and on confirmation by further research, making cesarean section available for high‐risk pregnancies could contribute to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes, whereas a system of care with cesarean section rates below 10 percent would be unlikely to cover their needs. (BIRTH 33:4 December 2006)     

Maternal Request for Cesarean Section due to Fear of Birth: Can It Be Changed Through Crisis‐Oriented Counseling?

ABSTRACT: Background: A psychosocial team was established to meet the needs of an increasing number of pregnant women referred for fear of birth who wished a planned cesarean. This study describes the intervention, the women’s psychosocial problems in relation to degree of fear of birth, changes in their wishes for mode of birth and birth outcome, women’s satisfaction with the intervention, and their wishes for future births. Methods: The study sample comprised 86 pregnant women with fear of birth and a request for planned cesarean, who were referred for counseling by a psychosocial team at the University Hospital of North Norway in the period 2000–2002. Data were gathered from referral letters, from antenatal and intrapartum care records, and from a follow‐up survey conducted 2 to 4 years after the birth in question. Results: Fear of birth was accompanied by extensive psychosocial problems in most women. Ninety percent had experienced anxiety or depression, 43 percent had eating disturbances, and 63 percent had been subjected to abuse. Twenty‐four percent of those with psychiatric conditions had previously been in treatment. After the intervention, 86 percent changed their original request for cesarean section and were prepared to give birth vaginally. The follow‐up survey confirmed long‐term satisfaction with having changed their request for a cesarean delivery. Of these, 69 percent gave birth vaginally and 31 percent were delivered by cesarean for obstetrical indications. Conclusions: Impending birth activates previous traumatic experiences, abuse, and psychiatric disorders that may give rise to fear of vaginal birth. When women were referred to a specialist service for fear of birth and request for cesarean, they became conscious of, and to some degree worked through, the causes of their fear, and most preferred vaginal birth. They remained pleased with their choice later. (BIRTH 33:3 September 2006)     

我国部分地区剖宫产率影响因素和指征分析

目的:分析我国目前高剖宫产率的现状,以及不同地区剖宫产术的影响因素。方法:回顾性分析2005～2006年全国24家城市医院产科分娩的4281例产妇各分娩方式(顺产、助产、有指征剖宫产及无指征剖宫产)的影响因素和常见剖宫产手术指征构成比,并比较近期母婴预后。结果:①总剖宫产率为57.84%,其中无医学指征者36.23%;顺产率39.99%,阴道助产率2.17%。②各地区分娩方式构成比差异有高度统计学意义(P<0.01),以华南地区剖宫产率最高,西南地区剖宫产率最低;职业劳动量小、文化教育水平高的人群剖宫产率高(P<0.01);≥35岁的高龄产妇有医学指征剖宫产率高于<35岁者(P<0.01)。③有医学指征的剖宫产因素主要为头盆不称(11.51%)、胎儿窘迫(11.31%)、胎位异常(臀位或横位)(6.99%)、巨大儿(5.25%)、妊娠并发症(6.06%)、骨产道狭窄(3.51%)等。结论:剖宫产率的升高由多种因素导致。对手术指征的把握依地区医疗水平、群众生活背景、产妇职业、年龄、围生期发病率的不同而不同。不必要的剖宫产术并未减少产后出血率、新生儿发病率。医护人员应提高助产技术水平,合理掌握手术指征,加强医患沟...     

二次剖宫产行子宫瘢痕切除术预防剖宫产切口瘢痕憩室效果的临床研究

目的:比较二次剖宫产术中原子宫切口瘢痕切除与否对剖宫产切口瘢痕憩室(PCSD)形成的影响,为临床PCSD的预防提供依据。方法:选取择期二次剖宫产的产妇共360例,其中采用先行原子宫切口瘢痕切除,再双层连续缝合子宫的产妇为研究组,直接行双层连续缝合子宫的产妇为对照组。统计两组手术时间、术中出血量、术后血性恶露持续时间、肛门排气时间、住院天数。术后6月至1年进行随访,评估是否出现异常阴道流血,并在术后1年应用阴道三维超声评估子宫切口愈合情况,分别统计两组产妇形成PCSD的例数,憩室残余子宫肌层厚度及憩室的大小。结果:两组的手术时间、术中出血量、术后血性恶露持续时间、肛门排气时间、住院天数差异均无统计学意义(P0.05);研究组与对照组形成PCSD的例数分别为4例(2.2%)、15例(8.3%);憩室残余子宫肌层厚度均值分别为7.35±1.89 mm、4.98±2.03 mm;憩室容积分别为0.36±0.17 ml、0.53±0.13 ml(P0.01)。结论:二次剖宫产术中切除原子宫切口瘢痕更利于切口愈合,减少PCSD的形成,减轻所形成的PCSD的程度。     

Mothers’ Reports of Postpartum Pain Associated with Vaginal and Cesarean Deliveries: Results of a National Survey

ABSTRACT: Background: As cesarean rates increase worldwide, a debate has arisen over the relationship of method of delivery to maternal postpartum physical health. This study examines mothers’ reports of their postpartum experiences with pain stratified by method of delivery. Methods: Listening to Mothers II was a survey of a total of 1,573 (200 telephone and 1,373 online) mothers aged 18 to 45 years, who had a singleton, hospital birth in 2005. They were interviewed by the survey research firm, Harris Interactive, in early 2006. Online respondents were drawn from an existing Harris panel. Telephone respondents were identified through a national telephone listing of new mothers. Results were weighted to reflect a United States national birthing population. Mothers were asked if they experienced any of eight postpartum conditions and the extent and the duration of the problem. Responses were compared by method of delivery. Results: The most frequently cited postpartum difficulty was among mothers with a cesarean section, 79 percent of whom reported experiencing pain at the incision in the first 2 months after birth, with 33 percent describing it as a major problem and 18 percent reporting persistence of the pain into the sixth month postpartum. Mothers with planned cesareans without labor were as likely as those with cesareans with labor to report problems with postpartum pain. Almost half (48%) of mothers with vaginal births (68% among those with instrumental delivery, 63% with episiotomy, 43% spontaneous vaginal birth with no episiotomy) reported experiencing a painful perineum, with 2 percent reporting the pain persisting for at least 6 months. Conclusions: Substantial proportions of mothers reported problems with postpartum pain. Women experiencing a cesarean section or an assisted vaginal delivery were most likely to report that the pain persisted for an extended period. (BIRTH 35:1 March 2008)     

Population‐Based Study of Cesarean Section After In Vitro Fertilization in Australia

Abstract: Background: Decisions about method of birth should be evidence based. In Australia, the rising rate of cesarean section has not been limited to births after spontaneous conception. This study aimed to investigate cesarean section among women giving birth after in vitro fertilization (IVF). Methods: Retrospective population‐based study was conducted using national registry data on IVF treatment. The study included 17,019 women who underwent IVF treatment during 2003 to 2005 and a national comparison population of women who gave birth in Australia. The outcome measure was cesarean section. Results: Crude rate of cesarean section was 50.1 percent versus 28.9 percent for all other births. Single embryo transfer was associated with the lowest (40.7%) rate of cesarean section. Donor status and twin gestation were associated with significantly higher rates of cesarean section (autologous, 49.0% vs donor, 74.9%; AOR: 2.20, 95% CI: 1.80, 2.69) and (singleton, 45.0% vs twin gestations, 75.7%; AOR: 3.81, 95% CI: 3.46, 4.20). The gestation‐specific rate (60.1%) of cesarean section peaked at 38 weeks for singleton term pregnancies. Compared with other women, cesarean section rates for assisted reproductive technology term singletons (27.8% vs 43.8%, OR: 2.02 [95% CI: 1.95–2.10]) and twins (62.0% vs 75.7%, OR: 1.92 [95% CI: 1.74–2.11]) were significantly higher. Conclusions: Rates for cesarean section appear to be disproportionately high in term singleton births after assisted reproductive technology. Vaginal birth should be supported and the indications for cesarean section evidence based. (BIRTH 37:3 September 2010)     

剖宫产后阴道试产的产时及产后评估

目的:探讨剖宫产后阴道试产(TOLAC)患者自然临产时及产后的评估及监测。方法:选择四川大学华西第二医院产科就诊的成功剖宫产后阴道分娩的患者42例(VBAC组),及同期就诊的瘢痕子宫急诊剖宫产患者50例(CS组)和阴道分娩的初产妇50例(正常分娩组)为研究对象,对3组患者的母儿相关情况进行比较。结果:3组患者的年龄、孕周、孕前体质量指数(BMI)及妊娠合并症情况比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05),VBAC组胎儿双顶径(BPD)小于其他两组(P0.05),宫颈Bishop评分高于其他两组(P0.05)。与正常分娩组比较,VBAC组产后2小时内出血量多(P0.05),但产后2~24小时内出血量和新生儿5分钟Apgar评分差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。与CS组比较,VBAC组患者24小时出血量少且住院天数短(P0.05),而新生儿5分钟Apgar评分差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:自然临产后,胎儿双顶径较小且宫颈成熟度较高的瘢痕子宫患者可以进行阴道试产,与再次剖宫产相比可以减少产后出血量及住院天数。在TOLAC过程中需要动态观察,严密监护,尤其要注意预防产时和产后2小时出血。