Male fetuses and the risk of cesarean delivery

To assess the reported increased rate of cesarean sections in women carrying male fetuses.

A retrospective analysis of all deliveries in 2001 was performed. All singleton deliveries were enrolled. We compared fetal sex distribution in cesarean ased risk of cesarean sections performed for various indications. The study had 80% power to detect a explained by different parturient difference in the cesarean section rate in women carrying male and female fetuses.

The overall cesarean section rate was similar in women with male or female fetuses, 19.7% and 19.1%, respectively. This lack of association was also found in specific subgroups of cesarean indications: non-reassuring fetal heart rate pattern, fetal distress, nonprogressive labor, elective cesarean, suspected macrosomia, abnormal lie and severe preeclampsia.

In contrast with previous investigators, we did not find an increased risk of cesarean section in women carrying male fetuses.