Does allocation of low risk parturient women to a separate maternity unit decrease the risk of emergency cesarean section?

OBJECTIVE

To study whether the selection of low risk parturient women into a separate maternity unit leads to a lower risk of emergency cesarean section, compared to giving birth in a unit with mixed cases.

DESIGN

Hospital based registry study.

SETTING

Maternity units in two university hospitals in Oslo, Norway.

POPULATION

All low risk parturient women with attempted vaginal deliveries in the years 2001-2003, a total number of 11,686 deliveries.

METHODS

Data were obtained from standardized patient records and risks of cesarean section were estimated as odds ratios.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Emergency cesarean section risk.

RESULTS

Compared with women giving birth in a unit with mixed cases, women giving birth in a maternity unit with low risk cases only had a higher risk of emergency cesarean section (OR 1.4; 95% CI 1.2-1.6).

CONCLUSIONS

Giving birth in a low risk maternity unit is associated with a higher risk of cesarean section for low risk parturient women compared with giving birth in a maternity unit with mixed cases.