Cross sectional study of mode of delivery and maternal and perinatal outcomes in mainland China

Incidence, risk factors and maternal outcomes of unsuspected placenta accreta spectrum disorders: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

To identify incidence and underlying risk factors for unsuspected placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) and compare the maternal outcomes between suspected and unsuspected cases in three large academic referral centers.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted in three university-based tertiary referral centers from Jan 1st, 2013, to Dec 31st, 2022. All cases of PAS confirmed by pathology were included in the study. Unsuspected PAS cases were diagnosed at the time of delivery, while suspected cases served as the control group. Potential risk factors were compared between the two groups. Multivariable regression model was also performed to identify risk factors. Maternal outcomes were also evaluated.

RESULTS

A total of 339 pathology-confirmed PAS cases were included in the study out of 415,470 deliveries, of which 35.4% (n = 120) were unsuspected cases. Unsuspected PAS cases were 7.9 times more likely to have a history of intrauterine adhesions (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 7.93; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.35-26.81), 7.0 times more likely to have a history of clinically confirmed PAS (aOR, 6.99; 95% CI 2.85-17.18), 6.3 times more likely to have a posterior placenta (aOR, 6.30; 95% CI 3.48-11.40), and 3.4 times more likely to have a history of placenta previa (aOR, 3.41; 95% CI 1.18-9.82). On the other hand, cases with gravidity > 3, placenta previa, and/or a history of previous cesarean delivery were more likely to be diagnosed antenatally (aOR 0.40, 0.19, 0.36; 95% CI 0.22-0.74, 0.09-0.40, 0.19-0.70). Although the suspected PAS group had a higher proportion of invasive cases and abdominal and pelvic organ injuries (74.4% vs. 25.8%, p < 0.001; 6.8% vs. 1.7%, p = 0.037), the maternal outcomes were more favorable in the sPAS group, with a lower median volume of 24-hour blood loss and blood product transfusion (estimated blood loss in 24 h, 1000 [800-2000] vs. 2000 [1400-2400], p < 0.001; RBC unit transfusion, 0 [0-800] vs. 800 [600-1000], p < 0.001; fresh-frozen plasma transfusion, 0 [0-450] vs. 600 [400-800], p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that 35% of patients with PAS were unsuspected prior to delivery. Factors associated with PAS being unsuspected prior to delivery include a history of intrauterine adhesions, a history of clinically confirmed PAS, a posterior placenta, and a history of placenta previa. Additionally, gravidity > 3, a history of previous cesarean delivery, and placenta previa increase the likelihood of antenatal diagnosis.

Discharge readiness and its associated factors among first-time mothers undergoing cesarean section in China

BACKGROUND

Helping first-time mothers who have just undergone cesarean section and transitioning from hospital to home with their infant is a complex process. Therefore, understanding what contributes to discharge readiness is necessary.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine discharge readiness level and its associated factors among first-time mothers who have undergone cesarean section.

METHODS

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 233 first-time mothers who had undergone cesarean sections selected using quota sampling from the two largest referral centers in China. Data were collected from March to June 2021 using a demographic characteristics form, Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale-New Mother Form (RHDS-NMF), and Quality Discharge Teaching Scale-New Mother Form (QDTS-NMF). Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis.

RESULTS

The discharge readiness of the respondents was at a moderate level. Age (r = -0.129, p = 0.049) and complications after cesarean section (r = -0.136, p = 0.038) had a negative correlation with discharge readiness. In contrast, the subscales of QDTS-NMF, particularly the content (r = 0.519, p = 0.000) and delivery (r = 0.643, p = 0.000), had a positive correlation with discharge readiness.

CONCLUSION

The findings enable nurses, midwives, and other healthcare professionals to understand discharge readiness and its related factors among first-time mothers undergoing cesarean section. It is also suggested that the quality of discharge teaching with a comprehensive assessment of first-time mothers preparing for discharge from the hospital and following the guideline to prevent post-cesarean section complications should be reinforced.

A systematic review of individual and ecological determinants of maternal mortality in the world based on the income level of countries

BACKGROUND

This systematic review was conducted to map the literature on all the existing evidence regarding individual and ecological determinants of maternal mortality in the world and to classify them based on the income level of countries. Such a systematic review had not been conducted before.

METHODS

We conducted an electronic search for primary and review articles using "Maternal Mortality" and "Determinant" as keywords or MeSH terms in their Title or Abstract, indexed in Scopus, PubMed, and Google with no time or geographical limitation and also hand searching was performed for most relevant journals. STROBE and Glasgow university critical appraisal checklists were used for quality assessment of the included studies. Data of the determinants were extracted and classified into individual or ecological categories based on income level of the countries according to World Bank classification.

RESULTS

In this review, 109 original studies and 12 review articles from 33 countries or at global level met the inclusion criteria. Most studies were published after 2013. Most literature studied determinants of low and lower-middle-income countries. The most important individual determinants in low and lower-middle-income countries were location of birth, maternal education, any delays in health services seeking, prenatal care and skilled birth attendance. Household-related determinants in low-income countries included improved water source and sanitation system, region of residence, house condition, wealth of household, and husband education. Additionally, ecological determinants including human resources, access to medical equipment and facilities, total fertility rate, health financing system, country income, poverty rate, governance, education, employment, social protection, gender inequality, and human development index were found to be important contributors in maternal mortality. A few factors were more important in higher-income countries than lower-income countries including parity, IVF births, older mothers, and type of delivery.

CONCLUSION

A comprehensive list of factors associated with maternal death was gathered through this systematic review, most of which were related to lower-income countries. It seems that the income level of the countries makes a significant difference in determinants of maternal mortality in the world.

A Participant-assigned Interventional Research of Precesarean Internal Iliac Artery Balloon Catheterization for Managing Intraoperative Hemorrhage of Placenta Previa and Placenta Accreta Spectrum Disorders After Cesarean Section

Placenta accreta spectrum disorder (PASD) and placenta previa (PP) are two of the most hideous obstetric complications which are usually associated with a history of cesarean section (CS). Moreover, women with PASD, PP and/or a cesarean scarred uterus are more likely to have adverse pregnancy outcomes, including blood transfusion, hysterectomy, pelvic organs damage, postpartum hemorrhage, disseminated intravascular coagulation, multi-organ dysfunction syndrome and even maternal or fetal death. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of precesarean internal iliac artery balloon catheterization (BC) for managing severe hemorrhage caused by PASD and PP with a history of CS. This participant-assigned interventional study was conducted in Tongji Hospital. We recruited 128 women with suspected PASD, PP and a history of CS. Women in the BC group accepted precesarean BC of bilateral internal iliac arteries before the scheduled cesarean delivery. Women in the control group underwent a conventional cesarean delivery. Intraoperative hemorrhage, transfusion volume, radiation dose, exposure time, complications and neonatal outcomes were discussed. There were significant differences in calculated blood loss (CBL) between BC group and control group (1015.0±144.9 vs. 1467.0±171.0 mL, P=0.04). Precesarean BC could reduce intraoperative red blood cell (RBC) transfusion as compared with control group (799.5±136.1 vs. 1286.0±161.6 mL, P=0.02) and lessen the rate of using blood products (57.1% vs. 76.4%, P=0.02). The incidence of hysterectomy was also lower in BC group than in control group. Postpartum outcomes showed no significant differences between the two groups, except that postoperation hospitalization was longer in BC group than in control group (6.7±0.4 vs. 5.8±0.2 days, P=0.03). Precesarean BC of internal iliac artery is an effective method for managing severe hemorrhage caused by PASD and PP with a cesarean scarred uterus, as it could reduce intraoperative blood loss, lessen intraoperative RBC transfusions and potentially decrease hysterectomies.

Cesarean section and pregnancy outcomes of preterm premature rupture of membranes under different fertility policies in China

BACKGROUND

The aim of the present study was to compare the outcomes of pregnancies complicated by preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) in China.

METHODS

The present study was a single-center retrospective study of women admitted to Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital in 2012, 2014, and 2017. Deliveries at <24 and >37 weeks, fatal deformities, stillbirths, and multiple pregnancies were excluded. Pregnancies were divided into 24-27⁺⁶, 28-33⁺⁶, and 34-36⁺⁶ weeks according to weeks of gestation in each year. In total, 1,178 pregnancies complicated by PPROM were analyzed in terms of incidence rate, risk factors, delivery mode, and neonatal outcomes.

RESULTS

The rate of PPROM was 3.11% in 2012, 2.35% in 2014, and 2.4% in 2017; the difference was significant (P<0.001). Age [odds ratio (OR): 1.046, P<0.001], intrauterine infection (OR: 2.087, P=0.007), and vaginitis (OR: 1.812, P=0.039) were risk factors for PPROM. In all 3 years, patients with PPROM tended to choose vaginal delivery rather than cesarean section (CS) delivery (68.9% in 2012, P<0.001; 76.5% in 2014, P<0.001; 69.3% in 2017, P<0.001), and the rate of vaginal deliveries in 2014 was higher than that in 2012 and 2017 (P=0.027). Indications for PPROM at 34-36⁺⁶ weeks varied significantly among the 3 years (P<0.001). No significant difference was found in body weight, body length, and Apgar score at 1, 5, and 10 min; however, there was a significant difference in Apgar score after 1 min at 28-33⁺⁶ weeks (P=0.012).

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence rate of PPROM at our single center varied between 2012, 2014, and 2017. Risk factors for pregnancies complicated by PPROM include age, intrauterine infection, and vaginitis. The rate of CS delivery varied, and breech/transverse presentation was the major indication for patients with PPROM at 34-36⁺⁶ weeks.

Rationale of indications for caesarean delivery and associated factors among primigravidae in Tanzania

Objective

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of modes of delivery and associated maternal and newborn outcomes among singleton primigravidae in the Iringa region of Tanzania.

Methods

A cross-sectional, analytical hospital-based study was conducted in the Iringa region among 356 singleton primigravidae between April and August 2018. Convenience sampling and consecutive collection of data using a face-to-face interviewer-administered questionnaire was done.

Results

A total of 356 singleton primigravid women with a mean age of 22.0 years (range: 15–49) participated in the study. The majority of the participants (73.0%, n = 250) were in the 20–35 age group. Caesarean and vaginal delivery were performed in 41.3% (n = 147) and 58.7% (n = 209) of the cases, respectively. The maternal height and weight of the newborn were significantly associated with caesarean delivery; (p = 0.001) and (p = 0.029), respectively. After adjusting for all variables, birth asphyxia (AOR = 3.25, 95% CI: 1.867–5.646, p = 0.000) and low birth weight (AOR = 0.03, 95% CI: 0.003–0.211, p = 0.001) were associated with caesarean delivery.

Conclusions

The findings of our study indicated the prevalence of caesarean section to be three times more than that recommended by the World Health Organization. Pregnant women with a height of less than 150 cm should be considered for caesarean section. Therefore, it is necessary for stakeholders in the health sector to formulate guidelines for absolute indications for caesarean section.

Differences in the prevalence of cesarean section and associated factors in private and public healthcare systems in Peru

BACKGROUND

Cesarean section rates have been steadily increasing worldwide. Private health facilities are reported as being a major contributor to this rising rate in Latin America.

AIM

To assess the prevalence and determinants of cesarean section rates among public and private health facilities in Peru.

METHODS

We performed a cross-sectional analytical study pooling the data of 52,215 women between 15 and 49 years of age from the 2015-2017 Peruvian Demographic and Family Health Survey (ENDES) database. Sociodemographic and pregnancy-related variables were used to construct adjusted logistic regression models for the indication of cesarean section.

FINDINGS

The prevalence of cesarean births was 73.0% (95%CI: 71.1-74.9) and 30.3% (95% CI: 29.6-31.0) in private and public health facilities, respectively. In private facilities, living in an urban area, having a higher educational level, being in the age group of 35-49 years, and having multiple pregnancies increased the probability of a cesarean section. In public health facilities, living in an urban area, having a higher wealth quintile, higher education level, older maternal age, birth order, newborn size and gender, type of pregnancy, language, and maternal height were all factors associated with cesarean section.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of cesarean section found in the present study was above the value recommended by the WHO (10%) for both public and private facilities. It is necessary to address the indiscriminate rise in the use of cesarean sections, developing strategies according to the type of health facility.

The effect of initiating neuraxial analgesia service on the rate of cesarean delivery in Hubei, China: a 16-month retrospective study

BACKGROUND

No Pain Labor &Delivery (NPLD) is a nongovernmental project to increase access to safe neuraxial analgesia through specialized training. This study explores the change in overall cesarean delivery (CD) rate and maternal request CD(MRCD) rate in our hospital after the initiation of neuraxial analgesia service (NA).

METHODS

NA was initiated in May 1st 2015 by the help of NPLD. Since then, the application of NA became a routine operation in our hospital, and every parturient can choose to use NA or not. The monthly rates of NA, CD, MRCD, multiparous women, intrapartum CD, episiotomy, postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), operative vaginal delivery and neonatal asphyxia were analyzed from January 2015 to April 2016.

RESULTS

The rate of NA in our hospital was getting increasingly higher from 26.1% in May 2015 to 44.6% in April 2016 (p < 0.001); the rate of CD was 48.1% (3577/7360) and stable from January to May 2015 (p>0.05), then decreased from 50.4% in May 2015 to 36.3% in April 2016 (p < 0.001); the rate of MRCD was 11.4% (406/3577) and also stable from January to May 2015 (p>0.05), then decreased from 10.8% in May 2015 to 5.7% in April 2016 (p < 0.001). At the same time, the rate of multiparous women remained unchanged during the 16 month of observation (p>0.05). There was a negative correlation between the rate of NA and rate of overall CD, r = - 0.782 (95%CI [- 0.948, - 0.534], p<0.001), and between the utilization rate of NA and rate of MRCD, r = - 0.914 (95%CI [- 0.989, - 0.766], p<0.001). The rates of episiotomy, PPH, operative vaginal delivery and neonatal asphyxia in women who underwent vaginal delivery as well as the rates of intrapartum CD, neonatal asphyxia, and PPH in women who underwent CD remained unchanged, and there was no correlation between the rate of NA and anyone of those rates from January 1st 2015 to April 30th 2016 (p>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study shows that the rates of CD and MRCD in our department were significantly decreased from May 1st 2015 to April 30th 2016, which may be due to the increasing use of NA during vaginal delivery with the help of NPLD.

Cesarean section does not affect neonatal outcomes of pregnancies complicated with preterm premature rupture of membranes

BACKGROUND

Preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) is associated with high neonatal morbidity and mortality. However, the influences of cesarean section (CS) on neonatal outcomes in preterm pregnancies complicated with PPROM are not well elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of delivery modes on neonatal outcomes among pregnant women with PPROM.

METHODS

A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in 39 public hospitals in 14 cities in the mainland of China from January 1st, 2011 to December 31st, 2011. A total of 2756 singleton pregnancies complicated with PPROM were included. Adverse neonatal outcomes including early neonatal death, birth asphyxia, respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), pneumonia, infection, birth trauma, and 5-min/10-min Apgar scores were obtained from the hospital records. Binary variables and ordinal variables were respectively calculated by binary logistic regressions and ordinal regression. Numerical variables were compared by multiple linear regressions.

RESULTS

In total, 2756 newborns were involved in the analysis. Among them, 1166 newborns (42.31%) were delivered by CS and 1590 newborns belonged to vaginal delivery (VD) group. The CS proportion of PPROM obviously increased with the increase of gestational age (χ = 5.014, P = 0.025). Compared with CS group, VD was associated with a higher risk of total newborns mortality (odds ratio [OR], 2.38; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.102-5.118; P = 0.027), and a lower level of pneumonia (OR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.126-0.811; P = 0.016). However, after multivariable adjustment and stratification for gestational age, only pneumonia was significantly related with CS in 28 to 34 weeks group (OR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.120-0.940; P = 0.038). There were no differences regarding to other adverse outcomes in the two groups, including neonatal mortality, birth asphyxia, Apgar scores, RDS, pneumonia, and sepsis.

CONCLUSIONS

The proportion of CS of pregnant women with PPROM was very high in China. The mode of delivery does not affect neonatal outcomes of pregnancies complicated with PPROM.

Associated factors and their individual contributions to caesarean delivery among married women in Bangladesh: analysis of Bangladesh demographic and health survey data

Background

Caesarean section (CS) delivery has a significant effect on maternal and neonatal health especially in a developing country like Bangladesh. The aim of the study was to determine the risk factors and their individual contribution to CS delivery among Bangladeshi married women in reproductive age.

Methods

The cross sectional secondary data was used in this study. Data was extracted from Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS), 2014 dataset. BDHS-2014 collected data from all over Bangladesh. Stepwise logistic regression analysis and population attributable fractions (PAF) were utilized in this study.

Results

A total number of 4422 married Bangladeshi women having at least one child (age ≤ 5 years) were considered in this study. The prevalence of CS delivery among Bangladeshi women was 23.94%. The stepwise logistic regression model showed that location (division), type of residence, education of respondent and her husband, working status, age at first birth, number of children, wealth index and baby’s birth weight were most important predictors of CS delivery among Bangladeshi mothers. PAF demonstrated that overweight or obese women had highest contribution (23.36%) among the risk factors of CS delivery, followed by age at first birth (age >  20 years) (18.97%), highest wealth quintile (17.39%), higher education (15.93%), living in urban environment (14.39%), having lower number of ever born children (1–2 children) (13.58%), living in Dhaka division (12.11%), delivering large size of child at birth (11.13%) and housewife (6.55%).

Conclusions

In the present study, we have identified the important risk factors and their individual contribution to CS delivery in Bangladesh. Consequently, these factors can be considered for reducing the rate of CS delivery in Bangladesh.

Building a predictive model for successful vaginal delivery in nulliparas with term cephalic singleton pregnancies using decision tree analysis

AIM

To establish a model predicting successful vaginal delivery (VD) in nulliparas with term cephalic singleton pregnancies.

METHODS

We retrospectively identified 6799 term nulliparas with cephalic singletons (6416 VD and 383 cesarean section [CS] due to dystocia) who entered labor (cervical dilation ≥2 cm) between September 2014 and August 2015. Using VD as the dependent variable and age, maternal body height, educational attainment, gravidity, gestational age, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), BMI upon admission for delivery, gestational weight gain, gestational hypertension and gestational diabetes as the independent variables, predictors of VD success were identified using a multivariate binary logistic regression and then ranked with decision-tree analysis.

RESULTS

While multiple factors are associated with improved VD success, we found body height, gestational age, and intrapartum BMI to be the best predictors of successful VD. Our predictive model has a classification accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of 76.6%, 96.7% and 16.4%, respectively, and it was subsequently confirmed by both internal and external validation.

CONCLUSION

Our predictive model indicates body height, gestational age and intrapartum BMI as the major predictors of successful VD in low-risk patients.

How is women's demand for caesarean section measured? A systematic literature review

Background

Caesarean section rates are increasing worldwide, and since the 2000s, several researchers have investigated women’s demand for caesarean sections.

Question

The aim of this article was to review and summarise published studies investigating caesarean section demand and to describe the methodologies, outcomes, country characteristics and country income levels in these studies.

Methods

This is a systematic review of studies published between 2000 and 2017 in French and English that quantitatively measured women’s demand for caesarean sections. We carried out a systematic search using the Medline database in PubMed.

Findings

The search strategy identified 390 studies, 41 of which met the final inclusion criteria, representing a total sample of 3 774 458 women. We identified two different study designs, i.e., cross-sectional studies and prospective cohort studies, that are commonly used to measure social demand for caesarean sections. Two different types of outcomes were reported, i.e., the preferences of pregnant or non-pregnant women regarding the method of childbirth in the future and caesarean delivery following maternal request. No study measured demand for caesarean section during the childbirth process. All included studies were conducted in middle- (n = 24) and high-income countries (n = 17), and no study performed in a low-income country was found.

Discussion

Measuring caesarean section demand is challenging, and the structural violence leading to demand for caesarean section during childbirth while in the labour ward remains invisible. In addition, the caesarean section demand in low-income countries remains unclear due to the lack of studies conducted in these countries.

Conclusion

We recommend conducting prospective cohort studies to describe the social construction of caesarean section demand. We also recommend conducting studies in low-income countries because demand for caesarean sections in these countries is rarely investigated.

Short-term and long-term effects of caesarean section on the health of women and children

A caesarean section (CS) can be a life-saving intervention when medically indicated, but this procedure can also lead to short-term and long-term health effects for women and children. Given the increasing use of CS, particularly without medical indication, an increased understanding of its health effects on women and children has become crucial, which we discuss in this Series paper. The prevalence of maternal mortality and maternal morbidity is higher after CS than after vaginal birth. CS is associated with an increased risk of uterine rupture, abnormal placentation, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth, and preterm birth, and these risks increase in a dose-response manner. There is emerging evidence that babies born by CS have different hormonal, physical, bacterial, and medical exposures, and that these exposures can subtly alter neonatal physiology. Short-term risks of CS include altered immune development, an increased likelihood of allergy, atopy, and asthma, and reduced intestinal gut microbiome diversity. The persistence of these risks into later life is less well investigated, although an association between CS use and greater incidence of late childhood obesity and asthma are frequently reported. There are few studies that focus on the effects of CS on cognitive and educational outcomes. Understanding potential mechanisms that link CS with childhood outcomes, such as the role of the developing neonatal microbiome, has potential to inform novel strategies and research for optimising CS use and promote optimal physiological processes and development.

Prevalence of and reasons for women's, family members', and health professionals' preferences for cesarean section in China: A mixed-methods systematic review

BACKGROUND

China has witnessed a rapid increase of cesarean section (CS) rates in recent years. Several non-clinical factors have been cited as contributing to this trend including maternal request and perceived convenience. We aimed to assess preferences for mode of delivery and reasons for preferences for CS in China to inform the development of future interventions to mitigate unnecessary CSs, which are those performed in the absence of medical indications.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

We conducted a mixed-methods systematic review and included longitudinal, cross-sectional, and qualitative studies in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan that investigated preferences for mode of delivery among women and family members and health professionals, and the reasons underlying such preferences. We searched MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, POPLINE, PsycINFO, Global Health Library, and one Chinese database (CNKI) using a combination of the key terms 'caesarean section', 'preference', 'choice', 'knowledge', 'attitude', 'culture', 'non-clinical factors', and 'health professionals-patient relations' between 1990 and 2018 without language restriction. Meta-analysis of quantitative studies and meta-synthesis of qualitative studies were applied. We included 66 studies in this analysis: 47 quantitative and 19 qualitative. For the index pregnancy, the pooled proportions of preference for CS reported by women in longitudinal studies were 14% in early or middle pregnancy (95% CI 12%-17%) and 21% in late pregnancy (95% CI 15%-26%). In cross-sectional studies, the proportions were 17% in early or middle pregnancy (95% CI 14%-20%), 22% in late pregnancy (95% CI 18%-25%), and 30% postpartum (95% CI 19%-40%). Women's preferences for CS were found to rise as pregnancy progressed (preference change across longitudinal studies: mean difference 7%, 95% CI 1%-13%). One longitudinal study reported that the preference for CS among women's partners increased from 8% in late pregnancy to 17% in the immediate postpartum period. In addition, 18 quantitative studies revealed that some pregnant women, ranging from 4% to 34%, did not have a straightforward preference for a mode of delivery, even in late pregnancy. The qualitative meta-synthesis found that women's perceptions of CS as preferable were based on prioritising the baby's and woman's health and appeared to intensify through interactions with the health system. Women valued the convenience of bypassing labour because of fear of pain, antagonistic relations with providers, and beliefs of deteriorating quality of care during labour and vaginal birth, fostering the feeling that CS was the safest option. Health professionals' preference for CS was influenced by financial drivers and malpractice fears. This review has some limitations, including high heterogeneity (despite subgroup and sensitivity analysis) in the quantitative analysis, and the potential for over-reporting of women's preferences for CS in the qualitative synthesis (due to some included studies only including women who requested CS).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite a minority of women expressing a preference for CS, individual, health system, and socio-cultural factors converge, contributing to a high CS rate in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. In order to reduce unnecessary CSs, interventions need to address all these non-clinical factors and concerns.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRY

Prospero CRD42016036596.

Association between first caesarean delivery and adverse outcomes in subsequent pregnancy: a retrospective cohort study

Background

Few studies have explored the association between a previous caesarean section (CS) and adverse perinatal outcomes in a subsequent pregnancy, especially in women who underwent a non-indicated CS in their first delivery. We designed this study to compare the perinatal outcomes of a subsequent pregnancy in women who underwent spontaneous vaginal delivery (SVD) or CS in their first delivery.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included women who underwent singleton deliveries at the International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital from January 2013 to December 2016. Data on the perinatal outcomes of all the women were extracted from the medical records. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to assessed the association between CS in the first delivery and adverse perinatal outcomes in the subsequent pregnancy.

Results

CS delivery in the subsequent pregnancy was more likely for women who underwent CS in their first birth than for women with previous SVD (97.3% versus 13.2%). CS in the first birth was also associated with a significantly increased risk of adverse outcomes in the subsequent pregnancy, especially in women who underwent a non-indicated CS. Adverse perinatal outcomes included pregnancy-induced hypertension [adjusted odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.20, 1.59–3.05], gestational diabetes mellitus (1.82, 1.57–2.11), gestational anaemia (1.27, 1.05–1.55), placenta previa (3.18, 2.15–4.71), placenta accreta (2.75, 1.75–4.31), and polyhydramnios (2.60, 1.57–4.31) in the mother and preterm delivery (1.37, 1.06–1.78), low birth weight (3.78, 2.07–6.90), macrosomia (5.04, 3.95–6.44), and neonatal jaundice (1.72, 1.39–2.14) in the baby.

Conclusions

CS in the first delivery markedly increases the risk of repeated CS and maternal-fetal complications in the subsequent pregnancy, especially in women with a non-indicated CS.

Effect of second child intent on delivery mode after Chinese two child policy implementation: a cross sectional and prospective observational study of nulliparous women in Chongqing

OBJECTIVES

To assess the influence of second child intent on the delivery preferences and final delivery modes of nulliparous women, particularly caesarean delivery on maternal request (CDMR), after implementation of China's two child policy.

DESIGN

Cross sectional and prospective observational study.

SETTING

A tertiary teaching hospital in Chongqing, China.

PARTICIPANTS

1000 low risk nulliparous women were initially involved, and were divided into two groups based on their intent on having a second child. 814 women who completed all interviews were analysed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Preferred mode of delivery in second trimester and at admission; final delivery mode, CDMR.

RESULTS

814 women who completed all interviews were analysed, in whom 51.2% intended to have a second child. The preference for caesarean delivery (CD) at the second trimester between the intent and no intent group was 6.2% versus 17.9% (adjusted RR 0.35, 95% CI 0.20 to 0.63) and increased to 24.2% versus 37.3% (adjusted RR 0.65, 95% CI 0.45 to 0.94) at admission, respectively. The overall CD rates between the two groups were 41.0% versus 50.4% (adjusted RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.60 to 1.18), and the CDMR rates were 16.7% versus 29.0% (adjusted RR 0.56, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.86), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Women who intend to have a second child are less likely to request a CD, and high rates of CD and CDMR in nulliparous women may have decreased after implementation of China's two child policy.