Does oocyte donation equal cesarean delivery?

Abstract

Cesarean delivery (CD) rates have been reported as rising constantly in the last decade. Cesarean deliveries continue to be the most common major surgical procedure for women in the United States. We looked at a subgroup of eight oocyte donation pregnancies in 2007 examining obstetric outcomes and modes of delivery vs. deliveries in the general population. Data were collected from the computerized perinatal database of deliveries occurring in the year 2007 at the Soroka University Medical Center. Statistical analysis was performed using the Fisher exact test for categorical variables. During 2007, there were eight pregnancies following oocyte donation and these were compared with 12,611 total deliveries. Pregnancies with oocyte donation were significantly associated with CD, with an odds ration of 29.1 (95% CI 3.6–629.8; P < 0.001; 87.5% versus 19.4%). The obstetric outcomes were generally favorable in terms of Apgar scores, birthweight, and gestational age. Pregnancies following infertility treatments are managed as high risk throughout the pregnancy. Pregnant women and physicians should be aware of potential risks when planning an elective CD. With an increasing body of research on the harms and benefits of medically elective cesarean versus vaginal delivery, decision making in this regard will be evidence based.