Dystocia: is it a major indication for caesarean section?

OBJECTIVE

To find out the indications for caesarean sections, the contribution of "dystocia" to the overall caesarean section rates, and to find ways to reduce dystocia-induced caesarean sections.

METHOD

This was a retrospective study where all caesarean sections performed in 1995 at the Princess Badeea Teaching Hospital in North Jordan (the main teaching and referral hospital in the area) were reviewed.

RESULTS

The caesarean section rate for 1995 was 8.4%. Dystocia was the main indication in 13.4% of all caesarean sections in that year. In 80.2% of patients who delivered because of dystocia labour started spontaneously. Thus if we advocate active management of labour, especially in nulliparous women who start labour spontaneously due to dystocia, we may reduce caesarean section and many repeat caesarean sections could be avoided.

CONCLUSIONS

Applying a policy of active management of labour in nulliparous women may be the most useful approach to reduce caesarean section rates in modern obstetric practice.