Robsons Ten Group Classification of Cesarean Section at a Tertiary Center in Nepal

Increasing trend in Ceasarean birth is the issue of both demand and supply side. One of the recommended tools to characterize every pregnancy admitted for childbirth is Robson ten-group classification system that may evaluate obstetric practice. The aim of the study was to assess the cesarean section pattern based on Robson's classification in a central referral hospital.

A retrospective census of childbirths at Paropakar Maternity and Women's Hospital in Kathmandu performed from September 2018 to February 2019 based on obstetric record. Robson ten-group classification system was the research tool to collect data and Robson Classification Report Table was used to evaluate the data.

There were 10500 births with 34% (32-35%) overall cesarean section rate. Excluding spontaneous and induced labor the supposedly total prelabor CS is 14.5%. Group 1+2+3 size is 81% and 21% CS; 5+10 had 11.3% and 23.3% respectively. Prelabor CS (2b+4b) is 3.54% and additional 11% from malpresentation and preterm. Group CS rate from Class 5 onwards, and ratio of 1 and 2 are as recommended by Robson; 67% of CS were not picked up by Robson class due to indications evolved as the labor progresses and the attributes not pre-classified.

The assessed quality of data and the type of obstetric population by Robson reference values prove this study as a representative research. But the indications of cesarean sections can be predicted for only one-third of pregnancy attributes classified by Robson class. To supplement this tool to reduce rising cesarean birth requires audit of indications at decision making level.