CAESAREAN SECTION

ITS FREQUENCY AND INDICATIONS IN DHQ TEACHING HOSPITAL, SAHIWAL.

Abstract

Introduction: Caesarean Section (CS) is a surgical procedure carried out for the
delivery of the baby when circumstances render the possibility of a safe vaginal birth. Though
caesarean section can be life-saving in many situations, its unnecessary use has become a global
health concern. For almost 3 decades, the ideal rate for caesarean sections was considered
to be between 10% and 15% but its consistently increasing frequency over the past years has
brought it to limelight. Objective: To determine the frequency and indications of Caesarean
section at DHQ Teaching Hospital, Sahiwal. Study Design: A Cross-sectional descriptive study.
Setting: Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, DHQ Teaching Hospital, Sahiwal affiliated
with Sahiwal Medical College, Sahiwal. Period: It was carried out over a period of 6 months
from December, 2016 to May, 2017. Methods: All the caesarean sections carried out during the
study duration were included. Both maternal and fetal indications were recorded. The patients
not willing to participate were not included. Results: Out of the total, Caesarean Section
accounted for 44.7% of the total deliveries. 72.05 % were elective and 27.49% were emergency
procedures. Most Common Indications were found out to be previous >2 C-Sections (36.4%),
previous 1 C-Section (28.3%). Rest of them were breech presentation (2.69%), obstructed labor
(1.68%), fetal distress (2.6%), placenta previa (8.08%), APH (2.02%), post-dated pregnancy
(4.04%), uterine rupture (7.56%) and others (6.58%). Conclusion: It was concluded that >2
previous C-Sections is the most common indication. The high frequency should be controlled
by proper counselling and education of the mothers and families, regarding the complications
of caesarean section.