Cesarean Delivery Rate Research Articles

Perinatal Care Changes During COVID-19: A Population-Based Analysis by Race/Ethnicity

The COVID-19 public health emergency created unprecedented disruptions in the use of healthcare services, which could have affected long-standing racial‒ethnic disparities in maternal care use and outcomes. This study evaluates population-level changes in perinatal health services associated with the COVID-19 pandemic overall and by maternal race‒ethnicity. In this analysis of all U.S. live births from 2016 to 2020, interrupted time-series analysis was used to estimate the change in the mean number of prenatal care visits and rates of hospital birth, labor induction, and cesarean delivery associated with the start of the pandemic (March 2020) overall and by maternal race‒ethnicity. Analyses were conducted in 2022. The start of the pandemic was associated with overall decreases in the mean number of prenatal care visits, decreases in hospital birth rates, and increases in labor induction rates. The mean number of prenatal care visits decreased similarly for all racial‒ethnic groups, whereas reductions in hospital births were largest for non-Hispanic White individuals, and increases in labor induction were largest for non-Hispanic White and non-Hispanic Asian or Pacific Islander individuals. Among all U.S. live births, the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with modest overall changes in perinatal care, with differential changes by maternal race‒ethnicity. Differential changes in perinatal services may have implications for racial-ethnic maternal health disparities.

Effectiveness of antepartum breathing exercises on the outcome of labour: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract Background Childbirth is a life-transforming intense event to a woman and her family. Even though a variety of non-pharmacological techniques are readily available to alleviate the distress of women in labour, the majority of women are unaware of its benefits. The objective of the study was to explore the impact of a simple non-pharmacological technique i.e., antepartum breathing exercises on maternal outcomes of labour among primigravid women. Methods A single centre prospective, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial was conducted at the antenatal outpatient clinic of a secondary healthcare institution. Eligible primigravid women were randomized into intervention and standard care groups. Both groups received standard obstetrical care. In addition, the intervention group were taught antepartum breathing exercises and were advised to practise daily and also during the active stage of labour. The primary outcome of the trial was the maternal outcome of labour measured in terms of onset of labour, nature of delivery, duration of labour, and need for augmentation of labour. Data was collected using World Health Organization (WHO) partograph, structured observational record on the outcome of labour. Results A total of 98 (70%) primigravid women who practised antepartum breathing exercises had spontaneous onset of labour. The odds of spontaneous onset of labour after randomization in the intervention group was 2.192 times more when compared to standard care at a (95% confidence interval 1.31–3.36, p<.001). Also, the requirement for augmentation of labour was minimal and there was a reduction in the rate of caesarean deliveries (p <.05) based on the χ2 test. The overall mean duration of labour was less compared to standard care group F(1)= 133.800, p <.001. Conclusion Antepartum breathing exercises during labour can facilitate spontaneous vaginal birth, shorten the duration of labour, and reduce the need for operative interference.

Effect of the length of the second stage of labor on pelvic floor dysfunction

Pelvic floor dysfunction refers to any combination of incontinence, overactive bladder, pelvic organ prolapse, and sexual dysfunction. Pelvic floor dysfunction affects approximately 25% to 30% of women and is linked to parity and age. Some obstetrical risk factors have been highlighted, though the second stage of labor has not been as thoroughly investigated. Allowing a longer second stage has been suggested as a method of reducing the rates of cesarean delivery in nulliparous women, though it has also been linked to pelvic floor injuries. This study aimed to determine the effect of the length of the second stage of labor on self-reported pelvic floor dysfunction. This was a single-center prospective cohort study in a tertiary referral obstetrical unit. Nulliparous women attending routine antenatal clinics were recruited to complete the Australian Pelvic Floor Questionnaire during pregnancy and again 3 months after delivery. The primary outcome in this study was the effect of the length of the second stage of labor on total pelvic floor scores when analyzed using multiple regression. The models were adjusted for the mother's age, mother's body mass index, length of the second stage of labor, fetal birthweight, mode of delivery, and perineal trauma. The secondary outcomes included the comparison of maternal, obstetrical, and functional pelvic floor outcomes based on the mode of delivery and the length of the second stage of labor. Among the 295 women who were recruited, the length of the second stage of labor and body mass index were associated with self-reported bladder dysfunction on multiple regression, whereas maternal age was protective. Compared with those with 60 to 120 minutes or <60 minutes of second stage of labor, women with that longer than 120 minutes had higher rates of stress incontinence (85.7% [>120 minutes] vs 41.7% [60-120 minutes] or 52.5% [<60 minutes], P=.001), urinary urgency (89.3% [>120 minutes] vs 39.6% [60-120 minutes] or 53.8% [<60 minutes], P<.001), and fecal incontinence (10.7% [>120 minutes] vs 0% [60-120 minutes] or 1.2% [<60 minutes], P=.027). There were no differences in the rates of sexual activity or dyspareunia. Women delivering vaginally had higher rates of stress incontinence (57.6% vs 38.0%, P=.006) than those undergoing cesarean delivery, though there were no differences in other pelvic floor symptoms or pelvic floor scores. A prolonged second stage of labor is associated with more self-reported bladder dysfunction at 3 months postnatal in primiparous women. Women with a longer second stage of labor should be informed about the risk of short-term bladder dysfunction, though the prevalence of long-term sequelae is unknown.

Balloon catheters versus vaginal prostaglandins for labour induction (CPI Collaborative): an individual participant data meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Induction of labour is one of the most common obstetric interventions globally. Balloon catheters and vaginal prostaglandins are widely used to ripen the cervix in labour induction. We aimed to compare the effectiveness and safety profiles of these two induction methods. We did an individual participant data meta-analysis comparing balloon catheters and vaginal prostaglandins for cervical ripening before labour induction. We systematically identified published and unpublished randomised controlled trials that completed data collection between March 19, 2019, and May 1, 2021, by searching the Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and PubMed. Further trials done before March 19, 2019, were identified through a recent Cochrane review. Data relating to the combined use of the two methods were not included, only data from women with a viable, singleton pregnancy were analysed, and no exclusion was made based on parity or membrane status. We contacted authors of individuals trials and participant-level data were harmonised and recoded according to predefined definitions of variables. Risk of bias was assessed with the ROB2 tool. The primary outcomes were caesarean delivery, indication for caesarean delivery, a composite adverse perinatal outcome, and a composite adverse maternal outcome. We followed the intention-to-treat principle for the main analysis. The primary meta-analysis used two-stage random-effects models and the sensitivity analysis used one-stage mixed models. All models were adjusted for maternal age and parity. This meta-analysis is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020179924). Individual participant data were available from 12 studies with a total of 5460 participants. Balloon catheters, compared with vaginal prostaglandins, did not lead to a significantly different rate of caesarean delivery (12 trials, 5414 women; crude incidence 27·0%; adjusted OR [aOR] 1·09, 95% CI 0·95-1·24; I2=0%), caesarean delivery for failure to progress (11 trials, 4601 women; aOR 1·20, 95% CI 0·91-1·58; I2=39%), or caesarean delivery for fetal distress (10 trials, 4441 women; aOR 0·86, 95% CI 0·71-1·04; I2=0%). The composite adverse perinatal outcome was lower in women who were allocated to balloon catheters than in those allocated to vaginal prostaglandins (ten trials, 4452 neonates, crude incidence 13·6%; aOR 0·80, 95% CI 0·70-0·92; I2=0%). There was no significant difference in the composite adverse maternal outcome (ten trials, 4326 women, crude incidence 22·7%; aOR 1·02, 95% CI 0·89-1·18; I2=0%). In induction of labour, balloon catheters and vaginal prostaglandins have comparable caesarean delivery rates and maternal safety profiles, but balloon catheters lead to fewer adverse perinatal events. Australian National Health and Medical Research Council and Monash Health Emerging Researcher Fellowship.

Impacted Fetal Head During Second Stage Caesarean Birth: A Prospective Observational Study

(Abstracted from Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2022;272:77–81) The rate of cesarean delivery (CD) at full cervical dilation in the second stage of labor is rising. During this stage, the risk of maternal and neonatal complications is greater because the baby's head may be engaged deeply in the pelvis, a condition known as impacted fetal head.

High Primary Cesarean Section Rates: Strategies for Improvement.

Approximately one in three women giving birth in the United States will undergo cesarean delivery.1 Certain high-risk pregnancy conditions, such as placenta previa, may warrant a cesarean delivery, but most low-risk pregnancies are candidates for a vaginal birth. Low risk can be defined as nulliparous, term, singleton, and vertex (NTSV). As of 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ranked Florida, Mississippi, and Louisiana as the three states with the highest overall cesarean delivery rate, at 35.9%, 38.2%, and 36.8%, respectively.2 (See Figure 1.) According to the Maternal Safety Foundation, Florida’s 2017 NTSV cesarean section rate was 31%, the highest in the nation.3 Rising health care costs, increasing placenta accreta spectrum cases, factors affecting breastfeeding and bonding, and the current opioid use crisis all indicate a need to address these high rates. Compared to a vaginal delivery, cesarean delivery poses greater maternal and neonatal risks. These include a higher risk of maternal mortality, hemorrhage, infection, thromboembolism, amniotic fluid embolism, neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, and other long-term sequalae such as chronic pelvic pain and abnormal placentation.4 This commentary will provide an update on evidence-based approaches to lowering cesarean rates among NTSV births. It will also discuss the influence of provider and hospital unit culture, as well as the potential application of perinatal collaborative best practices across state lines. The goal is to provide recommendations to help lower NTSV cesarean births.

Strategies to Minimize Blood Loss during Laparoscopic Hysterectomy for Management of Cesarean Scar Ectopic Pregnancy

<h3>Study Objective</h3> Demonstrate techniques to minimize blood loss during laparoscopic hysterectomy for management of cesarean scar ectopic pregnancy. <h3>Design</h3> Stepwise demonstration using narrated video footage. <h3>Setting</h3> An academic tertiary care hospital. <h3>Patients or Participants</h3> 33-year-old G5P4004 with one prior cesarean delivery presented to the ER with abdominal pain and vaginal spotting in early pregnancy. Her vital signs were normal with a Hemoglobin of 8.9. Ultrasound revealed a ∼6-week cesarean scar ectopic pregnancy. She was counseled on management options including laparoscopic resection of the ectopic with repair of uterine defect or laparoscopic hysterectomy. The patient was satisfied with her parity and opted for hysterectomy. <h3>Interventions</h3> The patient underwent total laparoscopic hysterectomy, bilateral pelvic wall dissection, bilateral salpingectomy, and cystoscopy. Various considerations and techniques were used intraoperatively to minimize blood loss. 1. Major vasculature (uterine and utero-ovarian arteries) was interrupted before placement of uterine manipulator 2. Uterine manipulator was placed under laparoscopic guidance in a retroverted fashion to avoid disruption of pregnancy 3. The correct plane was identified during dissection between the bladder and pregnancy to avoid injury or bleeding 4. Additional bleeding was anticipated and encountered even after major blood supply was interrupted, likely related to collateral vasculature to the pregnancy <h3>Measurements and Main Results</h3> Successful management of cesarean scar ectopic pregnancy was performed via laparoscopic hysterectomy. Estimated blood loss was 100cc and the surgery was uncomplicated. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Cesarean scar ectopic pregnancy is more common with the rising rate of cesarean deliveries. Risk of hemorrhage in this scenario is higher due to possible trophoblastic involvement up to level of uterine arteries. However, various techniques may be used to decrease blood loss during definitive surgical treatment.

DINAMIKA IMPLEMENTASI GOOD HOSPITAL GOVERNANCE DAN PRINSIP ETIKA AUTONOMI, BENEFICIENCE, NON-MALEFICENE &amp; JUSTICE PADA KEPUTUSAN PELAYANAN PASIEN RUMAH SAKIT

According to Riskesdas data in 2010 in Indonesia, the rate of cesarean delivery was 15.3%, the lowest was in Southeast Sulawesi 5.5% and the highest was in DKI Jakarta 27.2%. However, the trend in private hospitals in Surabaya reported that the number of CS deliveries continued to increase, in 2000 it was 47.2% and in 2005 it was 51.6%. Research conducted at the Lebak Hospital in 2011 reported that SC had a percentage of 63.4%. The high incidence of CS is not all based on medical indications but is now at the request of the patients themselves such as beautiful selection and related to social, economic, race, and health status. SC deliveries have higher costs compared to normal deliveries, resulting in high profitability for the hospital. Although according to the Healthcare Organization that the main goal of the hospital is profit. According to the Indonesian Medical Obstetrics and Gynecology Association, the asymptomatic patient is not to be blamed for a cesarean delivery, however, according to the Indonesian medical code of ethics, a doctor needs to consider all risks and complications that will occur to both the mother and the baby. This is in accordance with the principles of biomedical ethics which consist of four principles, including the principle of autonomy, the principle of beneficence, the principle of non-maleficence and the principle of justice. All principles and rules relating to the fulfillment of rules on hospital management have been very clearly regulated in Good Hospital Governance as guidelines for good hospital governance as well as a form of implementation in improving and providing health services to achieve national health goals

Coexisting fibroid in pregnancy and its labour outcome in Nigeria

The management of coexisting uterine fibroid in pregnancy is controversial. There is the need to know the labour outcome of women with coexisting fibroid in pregnancy in our environment. Objective: To ascertain the labour outcome of coexisting fibroid in pregnancy and the prevalence. Materials and Method: The study is a retrospective one that reviewed 48 women with coexisting fibroid in pregnancy over a 30 month period. Result: Out of 612 women that had antenatal care and delivery in our area of study, 48 of them had coexisting fibroid in pregnancy giving a prevalence of 7.8%. The mean age of the parturients was 32.38 ± 5.22 years and most of the parturients were primiparous (56.3%). Up to 89.5% of them delivered at term and 89.6% of their babies had normal birth weight with good APGAR score in 79.2% of them. Their caesarean delivery rate was 79.2% and 2 successful caesarean myomectomies were done. Conclusion: Fibroid can coexist with pregnancy with good outcome but they are prone to high caesarean delivery rate and at risk of uterine rupture. A low prevalence was recorded in our study and caesarean myomectomy is feasible in selected cases.

Laparoscopic versus laparotomic myomectomy in infertility management and its pregnancy outcome in Nigeria

Uterine leiomyoma is common among black women of reproductive age in Africa and is associated with infertility. Its definitive means of treatment is myomectomy which can be approached by laparoscopy or laparotomy. There is a need to know if any of these two modes of treatment affects the chances of achieving pregnancy or its outcome in women with background infertility. Objective: To assess the proportion of women who achieved pregnancy after laparoscopic and laparotomic myomectomy with background infertility, their pregnancy outcome and a comparison of the two groups. Materials and Method: The study retrospectively reviewed 36 out of 188 women that had either laparoscopic (n=86) or laparotomic myomectomy (n=102) and achieved pregnancy over a period of 30 months. Result: There was pregnancy in 21 out of 86 women that had laparoscopy and 15 among the 102 women that had laparotomic myomectomy. This gave the pregnancy rates of 24.4% and 14.7% respectively. The pregnancy outcome was favourable and similar between the two groups with the laparoscopic group having a lower caesarean delivery rate of 76.2% compared to100% in the laparotomy group. The duration of hospital stay was significantly lower in the laparoscopy group. Conclusion: Laparoscopic or laparotomic myomectomy improves the chances of pregnancy in women with background infertility below 35 years. The laparoscopic group had a significantly lower caesarean section rate and a shorter duration of hospital stay than the laparotomic group, however, both groups had a similar and favourable pregnancy outcome.

Differences in Surgery Classification and Indications for Peripartum Hysterectomy at a Major Academic Institution.

Peripartum hysterectomy is associated with increased morbidity and mortality relative to elective gynecologic hysterectomy and its incidence has grown with the rising cesarean delivery rate. We sought to understand indications and perioperative outcomes for peripartum hysterectomy at our academic institution and to evaluate differences among racial/ethnic groups. We performed a retrospective chart review of women at a tertiary care center who underwent delivery of a newborn and had a peripartum hysterectomy during the same admission between 2008 and 2018. Demographic, clinical, and socioeconomic characteristics of patients were compared with respect to patient's race/ethnic group. A total of 112 hysterectomies were included in our study. White women undergoing peripartum hysterectomy were more likely to have had an elective/anticipated peripartum hysterectomy (vs. a nonelective/emergent peripartum hysterectomy) than Black women. There were racial differences detected in the indication for peripartum hysterectomy; White women were more likely to have abnormal placentation (75 vs. 54% in Black women, p = 0.036), whereas Black women were more likely to present with postpartum hemorrhage (27 vs. 2%, p = 0.002). Black women were also more likely to undergo reoperation after peripartum hysterectomy (15 vs. 2% in White women, p = 0.048). There were no differences in any other perioperative outcomes including blood transfusion, accidental laceration, and 30-day readmission. Differences exist among elective versus nonelective peripartum hysterectomy by race/ethnicity and in indications for peripartum hysterectomy by race/ethnicity. Further investigation should be performed to determine whether the differences identified are due to disparate management of atony/postpartum hemorrhage or inequitable referral patterns for suspected abnormal placentation by race/ethnicity. · White patients were more likely to have an elective hysterectomy when compared with Black women.. · Abnormal placentation was the indication more often for White patients; hemorrhage for Black ones.. · Black patients were likely to be nulliparous or at greater gestational age at the time of hysterectomy..

Physician cesarean delivery rates and severe perinatal morbidity among low-risk nulliparas.

To estimate the individual physician cesarean delivery rate associated with serious perinatal morbidity. Study of nulliparous, term, singleton, vertex deliveries with maternal-neonatal dyad data (2015-2017) in the MarketScan Research Database. An individual cesarean delivery rate was calculated for all delivering physicians. The primary maternal outcome included transfusion of ≥4 units of blood, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, venous thromboembolism, or hysterectomy. The primary neonatal outcome included hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, seizure, cardiopulmonary resuscitation or ventilator use (within 24 h), or ICU admission. Multivariable modeling of the association between physician cesarean delivery rate and each outcome was performed. Among 77,058 maternal-neonatal dyads, the maternal composite occurred in 1.3% of deliveries and neonatal composite in 3.6% of deliveries. The likelihood of the maternal (aOR 1.03 for each 3% increase in physician cesarean delivery rate, 95% CI 1.021-1.043) and neonatal (aOR 1.02 for each 3% increase, 95% CI 1.014-1.027) composite outcome increased linearly with increasing physician cesarean delivery rate. Severe perinatal morbidity was associated with increasing individual physician cesarean delivery rates.

Infants Born Following SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Pregnancy.

To evaluate outcomes of neonates born to mothers with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection during pregnancy, the dynamics of placental transfer of maternal antibodies, and its persistence during infancy. Cohort study enrolling neonates born to mothers with SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy. All infants were evaluated at birth. Those born to women with infection onset within 2 weeks before delivery were excluded from further analyses. Remaining infants underwent cerebral and abdominal ultrasound, fundoscopy evaluation, and were enrolled in a 12 month follow-up. Qualitative immunoglobulin G (IgG)/immunoglobulin M and quantitative IgG to S1/S2 subunits of spike protein were assessed in mother-neonate dyads within 48 hours postdelivery and during follow-up. Between April 2020 and April 2021, 130 of 2745 (4.7%) neonates were born to mothers with SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy, with 106 of 130 infections diagnosed before 2 weeks before delivery. Rates of preterm and cesarean delivery were comparable between women with and without infection (6% vs 8%, P = .57; 22% vs 32%, P = .06). No clinical or instrumental abnormalities were detected at birth or during follow-up. There was a positive correlation between maternal and neonatal SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels (r = 0.81, P &lt; .001). Transplacental transfer ratio was higher after second-trimester maternal infections as compared with first and third trimester (P = .03). SARS-CoV-2 IgG level progressively decreased in all infants, with 89 of 92 (97%) infants seronegative at 6 months of age. Clinical outcomes were favorable in all infants. Matching peak IgG level after infection and higher IgG transplacental transfer might result in the most durable neonatal passive immunity.

Achieving more with less: lessons from country-level analyses of caesarean delivery and perinatal outcomes in Europe

Abstract Background There is consensus that caesarean delivery (CD) is a lifesaving procedure for both mother and child in emergency situations and that CD without medical indication should be avoided. However, the rate that optimally balances the risks and benefits of CD is unresolved. In 1985, the World Health Organization concluded that the CD rate should be no more than 10-15%; subsequent reviews relating CD rates to infant mortality show no benefits at the country-level for rates higher than 15-19%. However, stillbirth has not been investigated because comparable international stillbirth data are not readily available. Methods We conducted an ecological study in 25 European countries from 2015 to 2019 utilizing data from routine birth data sources aggregated using the Euro-Peristat PHIRI federated data analysis protocol. We assessed country-level associations between CD rates and perinatal outcomes (singleton preterm birth, stillbirth at ≤ 24 weeks’ gestational age, neonatal death) for all years using Pearson correlations, adjusted for clustering of years within country. Correlations were also estimated between linear trends over time in the indicators. Results The median [range] of CD rates was 23.1% [16.2 to 56.9] in 21 participating countries, while these were 6.9% [5.3 to 11.9] for preterm birth, 3.3 per 1000 total births [1.8 to 7.6] for stillbirth and 1.9 per 1000 live births [0.7 to 6.1] for neonatal mortality. The CD rate was not associated with the stillbirth rate (cluster-adjusted rho: -.01, P=.94) or with the neonatal mortality rate (rho:.27, P=.27). However, there was a strong positive correlation with the preterm birth rate (rho:.81, P&amp;lt;.001). Results were similar in time trend analyses. Conclusions Higher CD rates were not associated with lower stillbirth or neonatal mortality rates, but were strongly correlated with higher preterm birth rates. This study suggests no benefits and indicates potential harms for higher CD rates in Europe.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on perinatal health and perinatal health inequalities in Europe

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns may adversely affect pregnancy outcomes due to disrupted healthcare provision and increased stress, anxiety and economic hardship. We assessed changes in perinatal outcomes in 2020 using population birth data in Europe. Methods 25 Countries in the Euro-Peristat Network implemented a federated analysis using routine national data. Countries generated anonymised aggregate data files using R scripts from individual-level data formatted to a common data model with 22 variables. We compared preterm birth, stillbirth, neonatal death and caesarean delivery rates in 2020 to 2015-2019 for 2 periods: full-year (FY) and pandemic (March-September [MS]). Data from October onward were not included in the MS period because potentially declining pandemic-related fertility may affect perinatal indicators. Country-specific relative risks (RR) for the periods, adjusted for linear trends, overall and by socio-economic (SES) group, were calculated and pooled using random effects meta-analysis. Results Preterm birth rates decreased slightly (pooled RR: 0.97FY [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.95-0.99]; 0.98MS [0.96-1.00]) in 2020. Heterogeneity was high (I2FY=85%; I2MS=70%), with 5 countries experiencing significant declines. Neonatal mortality rates were unchanged (0.97FY [0.92-1.01]) while stillbirth rates were higher (1.05FY [1.01; 1.09]; 1.10MS [1.02; 1.19]). Caesarean rates were slightly raised (1.02FY [1.00-1.03]; 1.02MS [0.99-1.04], 5 countries had significant increases). Increases for stillbirth were more pronounced in the lowest (1.08FY [0.99-1.16]) versus highest SES group (1.05 FY [0.93-1.17]). Conclusions In 2020, there was an unexpected decline in preterm birth in some countries, while increases in stillbirths and caesarean occurred in others. High country-level heterogeneity suggests that some government policies to mitigate the pandemic might have been more protective of pregnant women and newborns than others.

Socioeconomic differences in perinatal health outcomes: perinatal health surveillance through a health-equity prism

Abstract Background Socioeconomic status (SES) is strongly associated with perinatal health outcomes, perpetuating intergenerational health inequalities. Our aim was to assess the utility of population data in Europe to monitor social inequalities in key perinatal health indicators. Methods Using the PHIRI federated analysis protocol to aggregate routine birth data from across Europe, we collected data on selected perinatal health indicators by SES from 2015 to 2020. Mothers’ education level (primary/lower secondary; upper secondary; postsecondary) was the preferred SES indicator; if unavailable, parents’ occupation or area-based deprivation scores were provided. The International Standard Classification of Occupations was used to group parents’ occupations into 4 categories, while area-based deprivation scores were measured in quintiles. For each country, we calculated risk ratios (RR) for preterm birth, stillbirth, neonatal death and caesarean delivery (CD) comparing the most with the least disadvantaged group Results 17 countries provided data on maternal education, 5 on area-based deprivation, 1 on parents’ occupation and 2 could not provide data. For preterm birth, stillbirth and neonatal death, lower SES was associated with worse outcomes with most RR between lowest and highest groups in the range of 1.5 to 3.0. In contrast, in some countries, such as Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania and Spain, CD rates were higher for socially advantaged groups whereas the gradient was reversed in others (Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Italy). Conclusions European countries can provide perinatal health indicators by SES, revealing marked socioeconomic inequalities in perinatal health. The differing SES gradient between countries for CD raise questions about care organization and clinical practice. Further exploration of the harmonization of differing SES measure across countries is required, while countries that do not monitor SES data should aim to improve existing systems.

The “Quiet Revolution” and the cesarean section in the United States

This paper estimates how changes in family structure and women’s labor market attachment during the last fifty years have affected the incidence of cesarean delivery in the United States. Both sets of factors are strongly related to cesarean utilization, and have generally changed so as to increase the rate of cesarean delivery over time. Altogether, changes in these factors, complemented by demographic changes, raised the U.S. cesarean section rate by eleven percentage points since the late 1970s, nearly two-thirds of the increase over that period. Today’s elevated cesarean section rate is in part a social phenomenon.

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Infection during Pregnancy and Perinatal Outcome: Findings from Private Hospitals at Dhaka, Bangladesh

Introduction: The pandemic novel corona virus (SARS-CoV- 2) infects pregnant women and affects pregnancy outcome. The perinatal outcome of COVID positive pregnancies attended at private hospitals during the last epidemic peak at Dhaka is unknown. The purpose of the study was to evaluate perinatal outcome among COVID positive and COVID negative pregnant women who delivered in the 2 study hospitals at Dhaka during the last epidemic wave. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in 2 eminent private medical college&amp; hospitals in Dhaka,namely Popular medical college &amp;hospital (PMCH) and Greenlife medical college hospital (GLMC) over a period of 3 months from July 2021 to September 2021. COVID positive and COVID negative pregnant women who delivered in the study hospitals during the study period were included in this study. Outcome variables were COVID related maternal morbidity mortality, rate of caesarean delivery, stillbirth, preterm birth, low birth weight, neonatal COVID-19 positivity, neonatal death. Results: This study included 60 COVID positive and 60 COVID negative pregnant cases. COVID positive pregnant women delivered at earlier gestational age (weeks) than COVID negative cases(34.46±3.58 vs 36.50±3.20; p=0.001) Among COVID infected pregnancies,severe disease was observed in 15%; O2 support was needed in 68.3% and ICU admission required in 16.7% cases.The caesarean delivery rate ((93.3% vs 80%; p-.032) and preterm delivery rate (63.3% vs 35%; p-.002) were significantly higher among COVID positive cases. About 8.3% COVID affected pregnancies ended up with stillbirth.Maternal death rate due to COVID related complications was 5%.Proportion of low birth weight (LBW) was significantly more in infected pregnancies (65% vs 35%; p 0.001).No newborn from COVID positive mother was tested positive by RT-PCR at 24 hours of age. Conclusion: SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy cancause moderate to severe disease requiring ICU admission and maternal death in 5% among COVID positive cases .It gives rise to more still birth, preterm birth, increasing number of LUCSand LBW. However maternal to neonatal transmission is not evident at 24-hour RT-PCR testing. J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2022; 40: 270-278

Trend in neuraxial morphine use and postoperative analgesia after cesarean delivery in Japan from 2005 to 2020

The increasing rate of cesarean deliveries warrants obstetric anesthesiologists to deliver high-quality post-cesarean delivery analgesia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the temporal trends in the use of neuraxial morphine for cesarean deliveries and to describe the current postoperative analgesia practices. A retrospective cohort study using nationwide health insurance claims databases was conducted from 2005 to 2020 in Japan. Pregnant women who had undergone cesarean deliveries were included. The annual rate of neuraxial morphine use was extracted and analyzed. Additionally, we explored the patient- and facility-level factors associated with neuraxial morphine use through a multilevel logistic regression analysis. The cohort included 65,208 cesarean delivery cases from 2275 institutions. The prevalence of neuraxial morphine use was 16.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 15.8–16.3) in the overall cohort. Intrathecal morphine was used in 20.6% (95% CI, 20.2–21.0) of spinal anesthesia cases. The trend in neuraxial morphine use steadily increased from 2005 to 2020. The significant predictors of neuraxial morphine use included spinal anesthesia, recent surgery, large medical facilities, and academic hospitals. Variations in the utilization of postoperative analgesia were observed. Our study described the current trend of neuraxial morphine use and the variation in postoperative analgesia practice in Japan.

Previous caesarean delivery and the presence of caesarean scar defects could affect pregnancy outcomes after in vitro fertilization frozen-thawed embryo transfer: a retrospective cohort study

BackgroundDue to various iatrogenic and social factors, the global caesarean delivery (CD) rate has risen sharply in the past 30 years. It is more complicated and dangerous for women with a scarred uterus to experience pregnancy again than for women with a previous vaginal delivery (VD). In this study we investigated the impact of previous caesarean delivery (CD) and caesarean scar defects (CSDs) on pregnancy outcomes after in vitro fertilization frozen-thawed embryo transfer (IVF-FET).MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study that included 1122 women aged < 40 years who had a history of only one parturition (after 28 weeks of pregnancy) and who underwent their first FET cycle between January 2014 and January 2020. Patients were divided into the CD group, VD group, and CSD group. Thereafter, according to the number of transferred embryos, the CD, VD, and CSD groups were divided into the single embryo transfer (SET) group and the double embryo transfer (DET) group. Outcome measures in this study were live birth, clinical pregnancy, multiple pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy, pregnancy loss, pregnancy complications, preterm birth, and neonatal birth weight. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to evaluate the relationship between pregnancy outcomes and CD.ResultsIn SET patients, the clinical pregnancy and live birth rates were decreased in the CSD group compared with the VD and CD groups. In DET patients, the clinical pregnancy and live birth rates were significantly lower in theCSD group than in the CD and VD groups. After adjustment for confounders, previous CD and CSD were associated with a significantly lower clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate than previous VD in the total sample. This effect was observed in DET patients, but not in SET patients. Additionally, DET patients with previous CD had a significantly higher multiple pregnancy rate (AOR = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.29, 0.75, P = 0.002) than those with previous VD, but no significant associations were observed in CSD and multiple pregnancies (AOR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.23, 1.34, P = 0.192) between DET patients with CD and those with VD after adjusting for potential confounders.ConclusionsOur study showed that during an FET cycle, previous CD and the presence of a CSD could negatively affect pregnancy outcomes especially in DET patients.