Appropriate gestational age for elective C-section

ABSTRACT

Timing of elective caesarean delivery is a relevant public health issue. Neonatal outcome is associated with the duration of gestation at the time of delivery. Rate of C-section is increasing worldwide even in USA it increased from 20.7% in 1996 to 31.1% in 2006. The objective to determine the appropriate age of gestation for elective C-Section in order to have good neonatal outcome and decrease perinatal morbidity. It is a cross sectional study that is retrospective. It will be carried out in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Shalamar Hospital, Lahore from March 2011 to Nov. 2011. One hundred consecutive subjects who had elective C-Sections during the study period were included in the study. Gestation of pregnancy was correlated with the outcome of babies. The newborns were assessed by 5 minutes apgar score and by admission in neonatal unit. In a total of 100 patients 9 had C-Section at 39 completed weeks and 47 had C-sections at 38 completed weeks and 44 had C-Sections at 37 completed weeks of gestation. Most of the babies who had respiratory problems and shifted to nursery were those who were delivered at 37 weeks gestation. Timing of elective Caesarean delivery at term has a relationship and influence on neonatal outcome. The perinatal morbidity can be reduced by decreasing elective caesareans before 39 completed weeks of gestation