Emergent cesarean section during active labor—does cervical dilatation matter?

To compare the immediate and late complications associated with emergent cesarean sections (CS) performed during the first and second stages of active labor.

We conducted a retrospective analysis of electronic medical records from a single academic center, including data from 577 patients who underwent emergent cesarean sections at 4 cm or more of cervical dilatation. Patients were divided into two groups: those who had CS during the first stage of labor (4–9 cm dilatation) and those who had CS at complete dilatation (10 cm). Maternal and neonatal outcomes were compared, including rates of complications such as uterine atony, post-partum hemorrhage, infection, and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission.

Of the 577 patients, 352 underwent CS during active labor and 255 at complete dilatation. The complete dilatation group exhibited significantly higher rates of uterine atony (19.6% vs. 11.6%, p = 0.009) and uterine incision extension (34.2% vs. 16.5%, p = 0.0001). In addition, they had longer hospital stays (4.8 vs. 4.25 days, p = 0.003) and higher outpatient clinic visit rates (21.3% vs. 9.9%, p = 0.0001). Infection-related complications on readmission were more common in the complete dilatation group (20% vs. 9.7%, p = 0.001). Neonatal outcomes, including APGAR scores and NICU admissions, did not differ significantly between the groups.

Emergent cesarean sections performed at complete cervical dilatation are associated with increased intra-operative and post-operative complications compared to those performed during active labor. These findings highlight the importance of considering the stage of labor when planning cesarean delivery to minimize risks and optimize outcomes for both mother and neonate.