• I Arikan, A Barut, M Harma, I M Harma, S Gezer, and H Ulubasoglu.
• Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, Zonguldak Karaelmas University, Zonguldak Children and Maternity Hospital, Zonguldak, Turkey. driarikan@hotmail.com
• Clin Exp Obstet Gyn. 2012 Jan 1; 39 (3): 288-92.

AimThe aim of the study was to compare maternal and perinatal mortality and short-term outcomes of maternal and perinatal health between a cesarean group with relative indications and a vaginal delivery group.MethodsA total of 1,119 patients were included; 582 were delivered by spontaneous vaginal birth and 537 delivered by cesarean section without labor. The indication for cesarean section was tocophobia and fear of childbirth for all patients. Maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality were compared between the groups.ResultsNo maternal mortality was recorded. Maternal morbidity was significantly lower in the vaginal birth group than the cesarean group (7 vs 30, p<0.05). Perinatal mortality (2 vs 0) and perinatal morbidity were not significantly different between the two groups (33 vs 17). The vaginallly delivered group had significantly higher newborn hospitalization rates than the cesarean group (p<0.05), but hospitalization time did not differ. Newborns with the first minute Apgar score below 7 were higher in the cesarean group (p<0.05). Fifth minute Apgar scores and umblical cord pH values were similiar. Cesarean neonates weighed more than vaginally delivered ones (p<0.05).ConclusionShort-term maternal complications were more frequently seen in cesarean deliveries with relative indications than spontanous vaginal deliveries but no difference was found in perinatal mortality and morbidity. There is a clear need for research on health outcomes for mothers and infants associated with cesarean delivery without any medical indication.

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