Vaginal birth after caesarean birth in Italy: variations among areas of residence and hospitals

BACKGROUND

The rates of caesarean section (CS) are increasing globally. CS rates are one of the most frequently used indicators of health care quality. Vaginal Birth After Caesarean (VBAC) could be considered a reasonable and safe option for most women with a previous CS. Despite this fact, in some European countries, many women who had a previous CS will have a routine CS subsequently and VBAC rates are extremely variable across countries. VBAC use is inversely related to caesarean use. The objective of the present study was to analyze VBAC rates with respect to caesarean rates and the variations among areas of residence, hospitals and hospital ownership types in Italy.

METHODS

This study was based on information from the Hospital Information System (HIS). We collected data from all deliveries in Italy from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2014 and we considered only deliveries with a previous caesarean section. Applying multivariate logistic regression analysis, the adjusted proportions of VBAC for each Local Health Units (LHU), each hospital and by hospital ownership types were calculated. Cross-classified logistic multilevel models were performed to analyze within geographic, hospitals and hospital ownership types variations.

RESULTS

We studied a total of 77,850 deliveries with a previous caesarean section in Italy between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2014. The proportion of VBAC in Italy slightly increased in the last few years, from 5.8% in 2010 to 7.5% in 2014. Proportions of VBAC ranged from 0.29 to 50.05% in Italian LHUs. The LHUs with lower proportions of VBAC deliveries were characterized by higher values for primary caesarean deliveries. Private hospitals showed the lowest mean of crude VBAC proportions but the highest variation among hospitals, ranging from 0 to 47.1%.

CONCLUSIONS

Hospital rates of caesarean section for women with at least one previous caesarean section vary widely, and only some of the variation can be explained by case-mix and hospital-level factors, suggesting that additional factors influence practices. Identifying disparities in VBAC may have important implications for health services planning and targeted efforts to reduce overall rates of caesarean deliveries.

Why wildly varying C-section rates persist

There's little information on how hospitals, doctors and patients make delivery decisions, which could help drop related healthcare costs and our nation's high C-section rate.

Incidence and determinants of peripartum hysterectomy in the metropolitan area of the District of Columbia

OBJECTIVE

To review the impact of the changes that have occurred in the standard of care in obstetrics and in the trend of cesarean delivery rates in recent times and factors associated with peripartum hysterectomy procedure.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective analysis of all cases of peripartum hysterectomies among inpatient hospitalizations at 4 major hospitals in the Washington metropolitan areas of the District of Columbia from January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2009, was conducted.

RESULTS

The total number of deliveries and postpartum hysterectomies that occurred at all 4 locations was 150,847 and 128, respectively. The rate of peripartum hysterectomies per 1,000 deliveries was 0.85. Primary and repeat cesarean deliveries, advanced maternal age, obesity, and grand multiparity have direct association with peripartum hysterectomy. Up to 80% of all cases of peripartum hysterectomy are accounted for by class III and IV hemorrhage. Peripartum hysterectomy is associated with increased prevalence of uterine atony, placenta previa, and placenta accreta.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that primary and repeat cesarean deliveries, advanced maternal age, obesity, and grand multiparity, uterine atony, placenta previa, and placental accreta, and class III and IV hemorrhage are independently associated with an increased risk for peripartum hysterectomy. These findings may be of concern given the increasing rate of cesarean deliveries in the District.

Neonatal mortality risk for repeat cesarean compared to vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) deliveries in the United States, 1998-2002 birth cohorts

To examine trends in repeat cesarean delivery, the characteristics of women who have repeat cesareans, and the risk of neonatal mortality for repeat cesarean birth compared to vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). Trends and characteristics of repeat cesareans were examined for: the period 1998-2002 for [1] all births, [2] low-risk births (singleton, term, vertex births) and [3] "no indicated risk" (NIR) births (singleton, term, vertex presentation births with no reported medical risks or complications). For low-risk and NIR births, neonatal mortality rates for repeat cesareans and VBACs were compared. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the risk of neonatal mortality for repeat cesareans and VBACs, after controlling for demographic and health factors. In 2002 the repeat cesarean rate was 87.4%, and varied little by maternal risk status or by demographic and health characteristics. From 1998-2002 rates increased by 20% for low risk and by 21% for NIR births, respectively. For low-risk women for the 1998-2002 birth cohorts, the adjusted odds ratio for neonatal mortality associated with repeat cesarean delivery (compared with VBAC) was 1.36 (95% C.I. 1.20-1.55). For NIR women, the adjusted odds ratio was 1.24 (0.99-1.55). The experience of a prior cesarean has apparently become a major indication for a repeat cesarean. Regardless of maternal risk status, almost 90% of women with a prior cesarean have a subsequent (i.e., repeat) cesarean delivery. This is the case even if there was no other reported medical indication. Our findings do not support the widely-held belief that neonatal mortality risk is significantly lower for repeat cesarean compared to VBAC delivery.

Does the maxim "once a Caesarean, always a Caesarean" still hold true?

Ugwumadu discusses a new tool, reported in PLoS Medicine, that can help to predict the risks of Caesarean section and uterine rupture in women attempting vaginal birth after prior Caesarean section.

Recent Trends in Caesarean Delivery Rates and Indications for Caesarean Delivery in Canada

OBJECTIVE

To examine recent trends in Caesarean delivery rates as well as the indications for Caesarean delivery in Canada, excluding the provinces of Manitoba and Quebec.

METHODS

All deliveries (N = 1 807 388) recorded in the Canadian Institute for Health Information's Discharge Abstract Database for the years 1994/95 to 2000/01 were included in the study (all hospital deliveries in Canada except for those occurring in Manitoba and Quebec). Temporal trends and inter-provincial/territorial variations in Caesarean delivery rates were quantified, and the primary indications for Caesarean delivery during the study period were compared.

RESULTS

The overall Caesarean delivery rate increased from 18.0% in 1994/95 to 22.1% in 2000/01. The primary Caesarean delivery rate increased from 12.7% to 16.3%, while the rate of vaginal birth after Caesarean decreased from 33.3% to 28.5% over the same period. Most of the increase in primary Caesarean deliveries was due to increases in Caesarean deliveries for dystocia, which increased from 6.9% in 1994/95 to 9.2% in 2000/01. The largest increase in repeat Caesarean deliveries was due to elective repeat Caesarean sections, which increased from 37.7% to 40.3%. Approximately 15% of the increase in overall Caesarean delivery rates was explained by increases in maternal age. The rate of vaginal deliveries following forceps rotation declined from 1.9% in 1994/95 to 1.3% in 2000/01.

CONCLUSION

Most of the recent increase in Caesarean delivery rates in Canada was attributed to increases in primary Caesarean delivery for dystocia and elective repeat Caesarean deliveries.

[Indications for third and more than three cesarean sections--analysis and pattern of practice]

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

Authors aimed to analyse indications for third and more than three times cesarean sections (c. s.), as well as, to make an assessment of the adequacy of the taken decisions.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

It was conducted a retrospective study for third and more than three times cesarean, including period 1991-2003 in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical University, Pleven. During that time 28645 births has taken place, 2971 of which are by cesarean section. 2,5% from the last, has been third and more than three times cesarean. Using expert judging, indications for the last were divided into three groups-right, disputable and wrong.

RESULTS

In the cases with only one mentioned indication "Re-re c.s." 37,8% (28 patients), ratio between right, disputable and wrong was 2:1:1 and the same ratio in the cases with indication "Re-re c.s.+ other indications" 58,1% (43 patients), was 5:1:1. In 4,3% of the cases (3 patients) no indication "Re-re c.s." was mentioned.

CONCLUSION

Reduction of third and more than three times cesarean can be achieved by more careful judgement of indications in second, "disputable", group and erradication of the "wrong", which most commonly are jatrogenic reasons. This will result in diminishing the increasing frequency of abdominal births, as well as, preventing possible complications for mother, connected with operation.

[Effect of some factors on obstetrical care of women with previous cesarean section]

Considering obstetrical management we should have always in mind advantages and disadvantages of vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) and elective cesarean section after a previous one, financial part of the elected mode of delivery in the particular case, psychological aspect of the matter (especially after an unsuccessful trial of labour--TOL) and not on the last position-patient's right to choose the way how to deliver. We performed an inquiry of 3-year-period and 50 women with a prior cesarean section, by which we studied the factors contributed in different extent to the choice of the following approach to delivery: patient's preliminary choice, the impact of medical staff during pregnancy and when entering the Department of Obstetrics, the impact of non-medical persons, complications after the previous cesarean section, patient's acquaintance with complications and consequences associated with the operative mode of delivery, as well as doctor's personal attitude to the different modes of delivery. The aim of our research is to show that by careful selection (according to the established indices) of women, who have a high probability (more than 80%) to deliver their babies vaginally and offering adequate information by educational literature and including the woman in the decision making process, the patient resistance to vaginal delivery will be reduced. In this way, the growing rate of cesarean section will be decreased by increasing the number of VBAC--undoubtedly one of the most important issue in modern obstetrics.

Trends in risk factors for caesarean sections in France between 1981 and 1995: lessons for reducing the rates in the future

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effects of the characteristics of mothers, fetuses and maternity units on the trends in caesarean section use, especially for primiparae.

DESIGN

Cross sectional surveys.

SETTING

Maternity units.

POPULATION

Two representative national samples of births including 5410 newborns in 1981 and 13318 in 1995.

METHOD

Univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

The overall rate of caesarean section rose from 10.7% in 1981 to 15.3% in 1995. This trend is mainly attributable to the increases in the proportion of previously sectioned women (from 4.1% to 8.2%) and in caesarean sections for primiparae (from 12.6% to 17.8%). Among primiparae several maternal risk factors such as late childbearing and obesity before pregnancy were more frequent in 1995 than in 1981. The increase in caesarean sections affected both the high risk group (25.4% to 32.4%) and the low risk group (8.1% to 12.0%).

CONCLUSION

A significant reduction in the overall rate cannot be achieved without regulating caesarean section use for primiparae. Strategies to change delivery patterns should be aimed at both high and low risk women.

Changes in indications for cesarean delivery: United States, 1985 and 1994

OBJECTIVES

The percentages of cesarean deliveries attributable to specific indications (breech, dystocia, fetal distress, and elective repeat cesarean) were computed for 1985 and 1994.

METHODS

Data were derived from the 1985 and 1994 National Hospital Discharge Surveys.

RESULTS

Dystocia was the leading indication for cesarean delivery in both years. In comparison with 1985, cesareans performed in 1994 that were attributable to dystocia and breech presentation increased, those attributable to fetal distress did not change significantly, and elective repeat cesareans declined.

CONCLUSIONS

Studying indications for cesareans can be useful for hospitals, clinicians, and researchers in determining strategies to lower primary and repeat cesarean rates.

Trends in caesarean section rates among high- and medium-risk pregnancies in The Netherlands 1983-1992

During the last two decades, the rates of operative deliveries have been rising constantly in all industrialized countries including the Netherlands. Within the framework of the project 'Obstetric Peer Review' (Verloskundige Onderlinge Kwaliteitsspiegeling), the trends in the caesarean section rates were investigated, using the data of the Perinatal Database of the Netherlands (LVR), but only among the high- and medium-risk pregnancies. To that end homogeneous high-risk subgroups, with respect to pregnancy- or delivery-related complications, were defined in various ways and caesarean section rates were calculated for these groups. Irrespective of the definition of such a group (e.g. multiple pregnancy or breech presentation), an increase of the caesarean section rates evidently emerges. The rates of planned caesarean section appear to increase more than the rates of emergency caesarean section. The increase for the multiparae is greater than for the primiparae. It is striking that the largest increase was found within the medium-risk group (namely; singletons, at term, vertex presentation, normal birthweight, mothers aged 20-35 years and with a normal diastolic blood pressure). Although no evident pathology can be found in the data, these women do not belong to the low-risk group, because they were referred to an obstetrician. For the multiparae in this group, the risk of a planned caesarean section yearly increased by a factor 1.09 (i.e. 9%).

Trends in the frequency of cesarean delivery. A 21-year experience, 1970-1990

Cesarean delivery rates in the United States increased from about 5% in 1965 to 24.7% in 1988, with the majority attributed to four indications: dystocia, fetal distress, previous cesarean delivery and breech presentation. This study calculated one hospital's cesarean delivery rate over a 21-year period to examine the trends in the rate and in their clinical indications. From 1974 to 1979, dystocia was responsible for 39.1% of the 151.2% overall increase in cesarean deliveries at the study hospital, followed by repeat cesarean deliveries (30.1%), fetal distress (8.7%) and breech presentation (3.5%). The percentage of all repeat cesarean deliveries increased, from 6.2 in 1981 to 8.0 in 1990, while the percentage of previous cesarean patients having another cesarean delivery declined from 96.6 in 1981 to 85.5 in 1990. Although there has been a reduction in the proportion of women having repeat cesarean delivery, the number of previous cesarean patients presenting for another delivery has been increasing. The cesarean experience at individual hospitals needs to be examined to provide a better understanding of the reasons for changes in their cesarean delivery rates.

The Green Bay cesarean section study. III. Falling cesarean birth rates without a formal curtailment program

OBJECTIVES

We observed decreases in cesarean birth rates at two Green Bay hospitals after the 1990 publication of our first cesarean section study. The purpose of this study was to determine the causes of those decreases and to see whether any outcome changes occurred with lower rates. An additional objective was to determine the perceptions of the 10 physicians regarding the determinants of cesarean birth rates.

STUDY DESIGN

We compared recent cesarean birth rates (1990 to 1992) to former rates (1986 to 1988) for 10 of the 11 physicians analyzed in our previous studies. Newborn outcomes were analyzed to determine whether variations occur in comparing low to high cesarean rate physician groups.

RESULTS

The total, primary, and repeat cesarean birth rates declined from 13.3% to 10.2%, 8.6% to 6.8%, and 4.7% to 3.4%, respectively, between 1986 to 1988 and 1990 to 1992. Variations in cesarean rates occurred among physicians and groups of physicians. Higher cesarean rates did not result in better perinatal outcome. Literature reports, residency training, continuing medical education attendance, and liability risks were the major determinants of cesarean birth as perceived by the 10 physicians in the study. The least important determinant, rated fifteenth of 15, was the national cesarean birth rate.

Cesarean section delivery in the 1980s: international comparison by indication

OBJECTIVE

We compared trends and current levels of cesarean section delivery by indication in four countries to help us understand factors underlying national differences in obstetric delivery practice and identify pathways to lower cesarean rates.

STUDY DESIGN

We carried out a measurement of change in the use of cesarean delivery by indication in Norway, Scotland, Sweden, and the United States during intervals centered on 1980, 1985, and 1990. Indication for cesarean delivery was determined by a standard set of selection rules.

RESULTS

The rate of growth of national cesarean section rates dropped significantly between the time periods 1980 to 1985 and 1985 to 1990 in all four countries; in Sweden this led to an actual decline in the cesarean section rate. Fetal distress and previous cesarean section were important contributors to cesarean section growth in three of the countries in 1980 to 1985, but their contribution to growth dropped off sharply in 1985 to 1990. By the 1990 interval, the overall rate ranged from 24% (United States) to 11% (Sweden), and all four countries had similar cesarean section rates for breech presentation, fetal distress, and "other" indications. Cesarean section deliveries for previous cesarean section and dystocia accounted for the substantially higher U.S. cesarean section rate.

CONCLUSIONS

Cesarean section rates are approaching stability in the four countries and have declined in Sweden. Previous cesarean delivery and dystocia may be the major sources of future reductions in the U.S. cesarean rate. The Swedish example shows that it is possible to reduce a relatively low national cesarean section rate.