Primary elective cesarean section in Ibadan, Nigeria

A total of 13,692 deliveries were conducted at University College Hospital, Ibadan. These included 2,764 (22%) cesarean sections, 63 (2.3%) of which were primary elective sections. The case records of 44 of these patients have been analyzed to determine the place of primary elective cesarean section in modern obstetric practice in Nigeria. No maternal deaths occurred and morbidity attributable to the operation was low and not serious. One perinatal death occurred and morbidity was low and less serious than maternal morbidity. There was no record of a uterine scar rupture occurring in subsequent pregnancies in any of these patients. Primary elective cesarean section, if used discriminately, will reduce difficult labor with the attendant risks of maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity in Nigeria and developing countries. The role which improved socioeconomic conditions and health education plays is emphasized.