Abstract
Objective: To establish whether failure to progress during labor poses a risk factor for another non-progressive labor (NPL) during the subsequent delivery.
Methods: A retrospective cohort study including singleton pregnancies that failed to progress during the previous labor and resulted in a cesarean section (CS) was conducted. Parturients were classified into three groups for both previous and subsequent labors: CS due to NPL stage I, stage II and an elective CS as a comparison group.
Results: Of 202 462 deliveries, 10 654 women met the inclusion criteria: 3068 women were operated due to NPL stage I and 1218 due to NPL stage II. The comparison group included 6368 women. Using a multivariable logistic regression models, NPL stage I during the previous delivery was found as an independent risk factor for another NPL stage I in the subsequent labor (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 2.9; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.4–3.7; p < 0.001). Similarly, NPL at stage I or II was found to be an independent risk factor for a NPL stage II during the subsequent labor (adjusted OR = 1.4; 95% CI = 1.1–2.1; p = 0.033; adjusted OR = 5.3; 95% CI = 3.7–7.5; p < 0.001; respectively).
Conclusion: A previous CS due to a NPL is an independent risk factor for another NPL in the subsequent pregnancy and for recurrent cesarean delivery.
Declaration of interest
The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.