Incidence of second‐stage (fully dilated) cesarean sections and how best to represent it: A multicenter analysis
Asad Rahim, Gareth Lock, Christina Cotzias
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To gather multicenter data on the incidence of second-stage cesarean sections and suggest alternative methods by which the data can be represented. METHODS: Retrospective, observational study over a 12-month study period. Numbers of term, singleton live births were collated from each of six maternity units. Data were separated by mode of delivery-unassisted vaginal birth, assisted (instrumental) vaginal delivery and elective, first-stage, and second-stage cesarean sections. Second-stage cesarean sections were expressed as a proportion of all deliveries, of all laboring women (i.e. excluding elective cesarean sections), and all women who reach full dilatation (i.e. excluding elective and first-stage cesarean sections). RESULTS: Of the 28 867 deliveries included in the analysis, 493 of these were second-stage cesarean sections. This represented an incidence of 1.7% of all deliveries, 2.0% of all women in labor, and 2.5% of all women who reach full dilatation. CONCLUSION: Second-stage cesarean sections continue to be common. Safe delivery of a deeply impacted fetal vertex is essential in modern obstetric practice.