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Caesarean section dissected, 1978–1983
Author(s) -
YUDKIN P. L.,
REDMAN C. W. G.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
bjog: an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.157
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1471-0528
pISSN - 1470-0328
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1986.tb07878.x
Subject(s) - caesarean section , obstetrics , singleton , breech presentation , medicine , gestation , population , fetal distress , section (typography) , pregnancy , fetus , genetics , environmental health , biology , advertising , business
Summary. Of 32 735 singleton births in Oxford in the 6 years 1978–1983, 10% were by caesarean section. In contrast to the national data, no trend in this rate was observed. Repeat caesarean sections accounted for 30% of all sections and the proportion of women who had had a previous caesarean section rose gradually in the hospital population. The other main indications for section were dystocia, fetal distress in labour and breech presentation, which together accounted for a further 45% of all sections. Comparison with caesarean section rates reported from North America shows that repeat sections and sections for dystocia were less frequent in Oxford but the rates for other indications were similar. Dystocia is likely to be a key factor in determining future section rates. Dystocia occurred mainly in primiparae, and was more common with short stature and with increasing gestation and maternal age. For all height, age and gestation groups dystocia was more than twice as frequent in induced as in non‐induced labour. This association does not imply a causal relationship, but neither is one excluded.