An Evaluation of Cesarean Delivery Rates According to Robson Classification in the Black Sea Region of Turkey

Abstract

To analyse cesarean deliveries (CD) using the Ten Group Classification System (TGCS) for reducing cesarean rates. Cross-sectional study. Ordu University Medical Faculty Training and Research Hospital, Ordu, Turkey, from 1st January 2008 to 31st December 2020. A total of 29,885 deliveries during the 13-year study period were analysed. Group sizes and annual, overall, absolute, and relative CD rates were calculated to analyse the effect of the Robson groups (RGs)/TGCS. The data were analysed using the two-way Chi-square test and two-proportion Z-test with Bonferroni correction. The overall CD rate was 59.22% (17,697). The principal contributors to the overall CD rate were RG5 (54.48%), RG1 (12.52%), and RG2 (10.06%). The relative CD rate in preterm pregnancies (RG10) increased approximately five-fold over the 13-year study period due to the increase in both group size and absolute CD rate (p<0.001). TGCS shows the cesarean delivery trends in terms of cesarean rates and identifies those groups requiring special precautions. The target groups (RG5, RG1, RG2 and RG10) need more in-depth research to reduce CD rates. Various approaches need to be implemented including individualised cesarean indication, encouragement of vaginal delivery after cesarean delivery, expectant management in nulliparous women, and spontaneous labor for preterms labor. Cesarean section, Elective cesarean section, Induction of labor, Vaginal birth after cesarean section, Robson classification, Preterm deliveries.