Rate and Indications of Elective and Emergency Caesarean Section; a Study in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Peshawar.

BACKGROUND The study was conducted to determine the rate and clinical indications for emergency and elective caesarean section. METHODS This was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted from December 2010 to January 2011 in Gynaecology unit-A of Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar. Consecutive patients who gave birth in the hospital during the study period were included in the study. There were a total of 966 patients. Mode of delivery and basic demographics of the patients who underwent elective and emergency caesarean section were noted down. Clinical indications were recorded. RESULTS Out of 966 patients, 210 underwent caesarean section. Therefore, the rate of caesarean section was 21.7 per 100. Among those 78% (n=164) were emergency caesarean sections and others were elective caesarean sections. Top six indicators for caesarean sections were foetal distress 17.1% (n=36), obstructive labour/failure to progress 16.1% (n=34), previous caesarean section 15.2% (n=32), breech presentation 9.5% (n=20), cephalopelvic disproportion 6.1% (n=13), failed induction 5.7% (n=12) and pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) 5.7% (n=12). CONCLUSION The rate of caesarean section was only slightly higher than recommended by the WHO. Most of caesarean sections were emergency caesarean sections.