[Evolution of indications for cesarean section between 1991 and 2000 in materials from the Pathology Clinic in the Department of Pregnancy and Labor, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin].

The present study was designed to analyze retrospectively the course of 2693 pregnancies and deliveries between 1999 and 2000 at the Department of Pathology of Pregnancy and Labor, Pomeranian Academy of Medicine in Szczecin. Attention was focused on the frequency of cesarean sections including preventive and urgent cases, obstetric and paraobstetric pathologies complicating pregnancy, perinatal and maternal mortality. The efficacy of diagnosing fetal distress in pregnancy and labor by continuous fetal monitoring with cardiotocography versus ultrasonography, in particular umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry, was studied. The material consisted of 2693 pregnant women (1476 (54.8%) primiparous and 1217 (45.2%) multiparous) aged 15-46 years, and their 2802 newborns. Gestational age varied between 23 and 43 weeks. Two groups were formed: I--1268 women delivering by cesarean section between 1991 and 1995; II--1425 women delivering by cesarean section between 1996 and 2000. In 1995/1996, complete ultrasonography supplemented with umbilical artery Doppler flow and intrauterine invasive intervention (cordocentesis, amnioinfusion, amnioreduction, intrauterine fetal blood transfusion) were introduced, as well as screening for diabetes in pregnancy and immunological tests for anticardiolipin antibodies. At that time, the Program of Improved Prenatal Care in Poland was fully implemented. Moreover, the Intensive Therapy of Newborns Uni was established at the Department of Pathology of Pregnancy and Labor. Depending on the moment the decision to perform cesarean section was taken, the prospective group was divided into two groups: antenatal (group P--1036 gravida) and intranatal (group S--1657 parturients). Depending on indications for cesarean section, urgent (N) were distinguished from preventive (Pr) cases. CTG interpretation was performe using qualitative and semi-quantitative Fischer's method. CTG recordings during labor were interpreted according to the qualitative method proposed by FIGO in 1987. An analysis of PI, S/D, RI, and flow curve (absence (AEDF) or reversion (REDF) of end-diastolic umbilical artery blood flow) in umbilical artery Doppler velocimetr was performed. A decrease of more than two standard deviations from average valu for several pregnancy time intervals was regarded as pathological. The absence (AEDF) or reversion (REDF) of end-diastolic umbilical artery blood flow was considered to be a high risk factor. The status of newborns was assessed using 5 min Apgar score and parameters o acid-base equilibrium in umbilical artery blood. The following conclusions were drawn: 1. Analysis of cases during the last decade of the 20th century revealed: --increased rate of cesarean sections with a shift in indications from urgent to preventive; --increase in obstetric risk associated with higher percentage of complication during pregnancy; --higher percentage of cesarean sections in premature labor; --correlation between premature labor and increased risk of poor newborn statu --decrease in perinatal mortality of newborns. 2. Analysis of methods for antepartum fetal monitoring revealed: --abnormal CTG patterns and abnormal blood flow in umbilical artery with ab sence or reversion of end-diastolic blood flow the coexistence of which were diagnostically effective for prediction of poor newborn status. 3. Analysis of fetal monitoring methods revealed: --normal intrapartum CTG patterns and normal antepartum blood flow in umbilical artery were markers of good newborn status; --abnormal CTG patterns and abnormal blood flow in umbilical artery had lim ited predictive value regarding poor newborn status. 4. Evolution of indications for cesarean section was multifactorial in character. New and more effective methods for fetal monitoring are needed.