Research Article: Association between the stage of labour during caesarean delivery with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes among referred mothers to tertiary centres in resource-limited settings
Abstract:
Objective Although the caesarean delivery (CD) rate has substantially increased, little is known about its impacts when performed in the first and second stages of labour on fetomaternal outcomes, especially among referred mothers. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the association between CDs performed during the first and second stages of labour and poor maternal and neonatal outcomes among mothers referred to tertiary centres. Setting This retrospective cohort study analysed medical records of mother–infant pairs from September 2020 to May 2023 in Southern Ethiopia. Participants We retrospectively collected data from 848 participants who underwent emergency CD on a referral basis during the study period. Primary outcome measure The primary outcomes of interest were adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results Of the 848 CDs, 722 (85.2%) and 126 (14.8%) were performed at the first and second stages of labour, respectively. Caesarean sections performed at the second stage were higher with nulliparity, increased maternal age, and birth weight. Compared with the first-stage CD, the second-stage CD was associated with a significantly increased risk of adverse maternal (OR 3.7, 95%?CI 2.4 to 5.7) and neonatal outcomes (OR 2.0; 95%?CI 1.3 to 2.9), including neonatal death. Conclusion Second-stage CDs have an increased risk of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Strengthening and improving obstetric emergency surgical services and intensive neonatal care for those populations would help decrease the maternal and fetal negative consequences.
Introduction:
The caesarean delivery (CD) rate has significantly increased globally, representing one-third of total institutional deliveries in Ethiopia. 1 2 Although CD is generally a life-saving procedure, it may lead to increased maternal and neonatal complications and healthcare expenses. 3 4 In many low-income countries where equitable access to obstetric surgical services is limited, the patient frequently gets referred to nearby tertiary centres and receives delayed treatment, resulting in compromised maternal and…
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