Trends of normal delivery versus caesarian section, its common types & indications in a tertiary care hospital of Peshawar, Pakistan

Abstract

create likelihood of negative impact on mother and fetal health. In some countries, C-section procedures are done more regularly than is medically required.
Objectives: To document trends in Cesarean Section versus Normal Deliveries, its common indications, and to determine the frequency of females opting for a C-section procedure.
Materials & Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of Rehman Medical Institute (RMI) Peshawar, from January to June 2016 based on retrospective data (January 2011 to December 2015) collected through systematic sampling on women admitted for normal and caesarean deliveries to RMI. Data were collected through a structured Performa and analyzed in SPSS 21 for descriptive statistics.
Results: In total 5142, live births, 2579(50.1%) were delivered by C-section at Rehman Medical Institute from January 2011 to December 2015. Primary cesarean deliveries accounted for 56.7% of the increase in the cesarean delivery rate from 2011-15. Based on 300 samples collected through systematic sampling, among the top five indications were dystocia 131(43.6%), cord around the neck 53(18.9%), fetal distress 30(10.7%), malpresentation 26(9.3%), and maternal comorbidities 20(6.6%). Only 2.7% of the C-sections were performed on maternal request.
Conclusion: Primary cesarean deliveries contribute to increasing C-section rates in a tertiary care hospital setup, in relation to specifically identifiable maternal and fetal indications.