Readmission more likely after cesarean than vaginal birth Source: Obstetrics & Gynecology 2005; 105: 836-42
Investigating the risk of maternal postpartum readmission associated with different modes of delivery.
The risk of maternal readmission after delivery is higher for cesarean and operative deliveries than it is for vaginal birth, research shows.
Noting that "cesarean delivery is usually considered a safe, low-risk procedure," a team of researchers led by Shiliang Liu from the Public Health Agency of Canada investigated how maternal rehospitalization, one indicator of postpartum morbidity, differed following operative and vaginal deliveries.
They studied a population-based cohort of 900,108 women with live singleton births using entries in the Canadian Institute for Health Information's Discharge Abstract Database for 1997/98 until 2001/02.
Overall, 1.8 percent of women were readmitted within 60 days of discharge. Compared with vaginal delivery, the likelihood of such readmission was significantly higher after cesarean delivery (odds ratio [OR] = 1.9), delivery by forceps (OR = 1.4), and delivery by vacuum (OR = 1.2). This increased risk is due to a higher rate of readmission for several serious complications, including pelvic injury, wound infection, obstetric complications, and major puerperal infection.
"These results add a further dimension of information that should help obstetricians and women when discussing the benefits and risks associated with spontaneous vaginal delivery, operative vaginal delivery, and cesarean delivery," concludes the team.
Posted: 21 April 2005
Leanne Wynne Midwife in charge of "Women's Business" Mildura Aboriginal Health Service Mob 0418 371862
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