Publication:

Delivery by repeat caesarean section today: an overview

Background To find out the maternal and neonatal outcome and background characteristics of women delivering by repeat caesarean section in a tertiary care centre in Chennai, South India.

Methods Parturition records for the year 2017, were accessed and case records, for the calculated sample size were selected. Demographic features, obstetric history, gestational age and antenatal complications were recorded. Maternal outcome and baby details including sex of the baby, birth weight, APGAR and admission to New born Intensive Care Unit (NICU) data and acceptance of postpartum contraception was noted.

Results In the study group, 156 women delivered by repeat caesarean section.  The age group of women ranged from 20 years to 38 years.  Majority of 83.4% of women were Para one.  Threatening rupture was recorded in 2.6% of women. The risk of previous two CS scars was noted in 3.2% of women. More than 41% of women had other complications. Most often observed complications were Gestational hypertension, Gestational diabetes, preeclampsia and eclampsia. Pregnancy complications of oligohydramnios, twins, breech and abnormal presentation, were significant. 1% of women had associated medical complications of anaemia and hypothyroidism.  Maternal and Fetal causes were the most important indication for caesarean section in 74% of women. There were no maternal deaths in present study group. Postpartum contraception was accepted by 55 % of women.

Conclusions Majority of repeat caesarean section was observed most commonly in para one women in the age group of 26-30 years More than 41% of women had associated medical and obstetric complications. There were no maternal deaths in this study. Neonatal deaths were 2.5%.