Maternal Outcome in Pregnant Women Undergoing Third Caesarean Section After Onset of Labor

Our study compares repeat cesarian section with and without labor in progress and evaluates adverse maternal outcomes that could discourage pregnant women in planning labor at term or at least after 39 weeks of gestation as recommended due to benefits in neonatal outcome.

In this retrospective study, we analyzed 191 patients undergoing third C-section and compared two groups of women of undergoing C-section either before or after the onset of labor. The primary outcome measure was the incidence of maternal morbidity. Values of p≤0.05 were regarded as significant.

Comparing the two subgroups, we did not find any significant differences in the occurrence of maternal complications or severe acute morbidity except for incomplete uterine rupture (p=0.04).

Undergoing a third C-section after the start of labor has no relevant or adverse impact on maternal outcome. Therefore, elective repeat C-section can be planned in late weeks of gestation aiming at reducing neonatal morbidity. The higher rate of uterine dehiscence was not associated with other issues of severe acute maternal morbidity.