Does allocation of low risk parturient women to a separate maternity unit decrease the risk of emergency cesarean section?
OBJECTIVE
To study whether the selection of low risk parturient women into a separate maternity unit leads to a lower risk of emergency cesarean section, compared to giving birth in a unit with mixed cases.


METHODS
Hospital based registry study.


METHODS
Maternity units in two university hospitals in Oslo, Norway.


METHODS
All low risk parturient women with attempted vaginal deliveries in the years 2001-2003, a total number of 11,686 deliveries.


METHODS
Data were obtained from standardized patient records and risks of cesarean section were estimated as odds ratios.


METHODS
Emergency cesarean section risk.


RESULTS
Compared with women giving birth in a unit with mixed cases, women giving birth in a maternity unit with low risk cases only had a higher risk of emergency cesarean section (OR 1.4; 95% CI 1.2-1.6).


CONCLUSIONS
Giving birth in a low risk maternity unit is associated with a higher risk of cesarean section for low risk parturient women compared with giving birth in a maternity unit with mixed cases.
Nesheim
Britt-Ingjerd
BI
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oslo University Hospital Ulleval, Oslo, Norway. b.i.nesheim@medisin.uio.no
Eskild
Anne
A
Gjessing
Leif
L
D000328:Adult; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003696:Delivery Rooms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006757:Hospital Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D009664:Norway; D018579:Patient Selection; D011247:Pregnancy; D012042:Registries; D012307:Risk Factors