Comparison of maternal and infant outcomes from primary cesarean delivery during the second compared with first stage of labor.
OBJECTIVE
To compare maternal and neonatal outcomes when primary cesarean delivery is performed in the second stage of labor compared with the first stage.


METHODS
Between January 1, 1999, and December 31, 2000, a prospective observational study of primary cesarean deliveries was conducted at 13 university centers comprising the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network. The primary outcomes of interest included a maternal composite (composed of at least one of the following: endometritis, intraoperative surgical complication, blood transfusion, or wound complication) and neonatal composite (which included at least one of the following: Apgar score of 3 or less at 5 minutes, neonatal death, neonatal intensive care unit admission, seizure, delivery room intubation in the absence of meconium, or fetal injury).


RESULTS
A total of 11,981 cesarean deliveries were available for analysis: 9,265 were performed in the first stage and 2,716 in the second stage. Cesarean deliveries performed in the second stage were associated with longer operative times, epidural analgesia, chorioamnionitis, and higher birth weight (all P<.001). The maternal composite index was slightly increased in women undergoing cesarean delivery in the second stage of labor, primarily due to uterine atony, uterine incision extension, and incidental cystotomy. This difference was significant after multivariable analysis (odds ratio 1.21, 95% confidence interval 1.07-1.37). After multivariable analysis, the neonatal composite did not differ significantly between groups (odds ratio 0.96, 95% confidence interval 0.84-1.08).


CONCLUSIONS
Cesarean delivery in the second stage of labor is associated with slightly increased maternal but not neonatal composite morbidity.


METHODS
II.
Alexander
James M
JM
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75235-9032, USA. james.alexander@utsouthwestern.edu
Leveno
Kenneth J
KJ
Rouse
Dwight J
DJ
Landon
Mark B
MB
Gilbert
Sharon
S
Spong
Catherine Y
CY
Varner
Michael W
MW
Moawad
Atef H
AH
Caritis
Steve N
SN
Harper
Margaret
M
Wapner
Ronald J
RJ
Sorokin
Yoram
Y
Miodovnik
Menachem
M
O'Sullivan
Mary J
MJ
Sibai
Baha M
BM
Langer
Oded
O
Gabbe
Steven G
SG
D000328:Adult; D001034:Apgar Score; D001720:Birth Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D007440:Intubation; D007747:Labor Stage, First; D007748:Labor Stage, Second; D009017:Morbidity; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012640:Seizures / Q000453:epidemiology