Multiple repeat caesarean deliveries: do they increase maternal and neonatal morbidity?

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effects of the increased number of caesarean deliveries (CDs) in cases of multiple repeat caesarean deliveries (MRCDs) on maternal and neonatal morbidity.

Methods: MRCDs admitted to our hospital between January 2013 and September 2014 were analysed retrospectively. A total number of 1133 women were included in the study and were divided into 4 groups. Group 1: second CDs (n = 329); Group 2: third CDs (n = 225); Group 3: fourth CDs (n = 447); Group 4: fifth CDs (n = 132). The clinical, demographic, intraoperative and postoperative data of the patients were registered upon the review of patient files.

Results: The differences among the groups were found to be statistically significant in terms of mean maternal age, gravida, APGAR (Activity, Pulse, Grimace, Appearance, Respiration) scores, hospital stay and operation time. In addition, the difference was also statistically significant for severe adhesion, bladder injury and premature birth. No statistically significant difference was observed among the groups with respect to placenta previa, placenta accreta, caesarean hysterectomy, uterine scar rupture.

Conclusions: According to our findings, MRCDs seem to increasing the maternal and neonatal morbidity even though they are not life-threatening.

Keywords:

• Caesarean delivery
• maternal morbidity
• neonatal morbidity

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dicle University School of Medicine. In addition, we thank Professor S. Serdar Koca for statistical support.

Declaration of interest

The authors declare that no conflict of interest or financial disclosure exists for this manuscript.