OBJECTIVE:To quantify the risk and risk factors for cesarean delivery associated with medical and elective induction of labor in nulliparous women.

METHODS:A prospective cohort study was performed in nulliparous women at term with vertex singleton gestations who had labor induced at 2 obstetrical centers. Medical and elective indications and Bishop scores were recorded before labor induction. Obstetric and neonatal data were analyzed and compared with the results in women with a spontaneous onset of labor. Data were analyzed using univariate and multivariable regression modeling.

RESULTS:A total of 1,389 women were included in the study. The cesarean delivery rate was 12.0% in women with a spontaneous onset of labor (n = 765), 23.4% in women undergoing labor induction for medical reasons (n = 435) (unadjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.24; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.64-3.06), and 23.8% in women whose labor was electively induced (n = 189) (unadjusted OR 2.29; 95% CI 1.53-3.41). However, after adjusting for the Bishop score at admission, no significant differences in cesarean delivery rates were found among the 3 groups. A Bishop score of 5 or less was a predominant risk factor for a cesarean delivery in all 3 groups (adjusted OR 2.32; 95% CI 1.66-3.25). Other variables with significantly increased risk for cesarean delivery included maternal age of 30 years or older, body mass index of 31 or higher, use of epidural analgesia during the first stage of labor, and birth weight of 3,500 g or higher. In both induction groups, more newborns required neonatal care, more mothers needed a blood transfusion, and the maternal hospital stay was longer.

CONCLUSION:Compared with spontaneous onset of labor, medical and elective induction of labor in nulliparous women at term with a single fetus in cephalic presentation is associated with an increased risk of cesarean delivery, predominantly related to an unfavorable Bishop score at admission.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:II-2.

OBJECTIVE:The aim of this preliminary study was to investigate whether ultrasound-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) can play a role in treating cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP).

STUDY DESIGN:Between November 2011 and December 2012, 16 patients with CSP were treated with ultrasound-guided HIFU ablation. Successful treatment was defined as disappearance of CSP mass, undetectable serum beta human chorionic gonadotropin, and no serious complications such as severe bleeding, uterine rupture, or hysterectomy.

RESULTS:All patients were successfully treated in the outpatient department and none required readmission. After 2-5 treatment sessions, the mean time for achieving undetectable serum beta human chorionic gonadotropin was 4.94± 2.32 weeks, and the mean time for CSP mass disappearance was 6.69 ± 3.36 weeks. Three patients experienced moderate abdominal pain that subsided in 1-2 days, and nine patients experienced mild vaginal bleeding (<30 mL) that resolved within 2-3 days. All 16 patients had recovered their normal menstruation function at follow-up.

CONCLUSION:These preliminary results suggest that ultrasound-guided HIFU ablation is a noninvasive, feasible, and effective method for the treatment of CSP.

Background Anxiety is the most common psychological reaction in women during labor. Similar to numerous other surgeries, postoperative pain is also reported following cesarean section (C-section). According to the (Gate) Control Theory, there is a relationship between pain and psychological problems such as anxiety. Accordingly, the present study aimed to compare the effect of aromatherapy using lavender and Damask rose essential oils on the level of anxiety and severity of pain following C-section. Methods This triple-group randomized clinical trial was performed on 90 mothers who visited Motahari Hospital of Jahrom, Iran, for C-section in 2017. The incidence and severity of pain and anxiety were measured and recorded for all three groups prior to intervention. The intervention groups underwent aromatherapy with lavender and Damask rose essential oils. Patients were asked to inhale cotton balls, separately stained with three drops of each essential oil at a distance of 10 cm for 30 mins. The severity of pain and anxiety was measured using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) 5 min after the specified process, respectively. The control group underwent aromatherapy in a similar fashion with normal saline. Finally, data were analyzed using descriptive statistical indices and ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests in SPSS 21. Results There was no significant difference between the three groups in the mean severity of pain and anxiety before the intervention (p>0.05). The mean severity of pain and overt anxiety in the lavender and Damask rose aromatherapy groups was significantly different than the control group after the intervention (p<0.001). In addition, no significant difference was observed between the overt and overall anxiety levels of the two intervention groups after the intervention (p>0.05). Conclusions The findings suggested that inhalation aromatherapy can reduce the severity of overt anxiety and pain after C-section, with Damask rose essential oil showing a larger effect than lavender.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explain differences of cesarean section rates according to San-Yin-Jiao(SP6) acupressure for women in labor. METHOD: A nonequivalent control group pre test--post test design was used to explain differences of cesarean section rates according to SP6 acupressure. The participants were 209 women who were assigned to one of three groups SP6 acupressure(n=86), SP6 touch(n=47), and control group(n=76). For 30 minutes, the SP6 acupressure group received SP6 acupressure,and the SP6 touch group received SP6 touch for the duration of each uterine contraction. The Control group was encouraged to deep breath and relax for the duration of each uterine contraction for 30 minutes. RESULT: The rates of cesarean section were 12.8%, 29.8%, and 22.4% for the SP6 acupressure group, SP6 touch group, and control group respectively. There was a significant difference among groups (p=0.049). Cesarean section rates were significantly different between the SP6 acupressure and non-SP6 acupressure group(p=0.035). CONCLUSION: This finding shows that 30 minutes of SP6 acupressure was effective in decreasing the cesarean section rate. Therefore, SP6 acupressure during labor could be applied as an effective nursing intervention.

Maternal anxiety and stress are found to be predictors of adverse pregnancy outcomes, including low birth weight and prematurity. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine whether relaxation education in anxious pregnant Iranian women in their first pregnancy affects selected pregnancy outcomes, including birth weight, preterm birth, and surgical delivery rate. SUBJECTS: A total of 110 obstetrically and medically low-risk primigravid women in Iran with a high anxiety level demonstrated by Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory were randomly assigned into experimental and control groups. METHOD: In this randomized controlled trial, the experimental group received routine prenatal care along with 7-week applied relaxation training sessions, while the control group received only routine prenatal care. Anxiety and perceived stress were measured by pre-educational and post-educational intervention. Data related to pregnancy outcomes include birth weight, gestational age at birth, and type of delivery. RESULTS: Significant reductions in low birth weight, cesarean section, and/or instrumental extraction were found in the experimental group compared with the control group. No significant differences were found in the rate of preterm birth. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest beneficial effects of nurse-led relaxation education sessions during the prenatal period. This intervention could serve as a resource for improving pregnancy outcomes in women with high anxiety.

PURPOSE:This study examined the effect of peppermint spirits on postoperative nausea in women following a scheduled C-section.

DESIGN:A pretest-posttest research design with three groups was used. The peppermint group inhaled peppermint spirits, the placebo aromatherapy control group inhaled an inert placebo, green-colored sterile water, and the standard antiemetic therapy control group received standard antiemetics, usually intravenous ondansetron or promethazine suppositories.

METHODS:Women were randomly assigned to a group on admission to the hospital. If they became nauseated, nurses on the mother-baby unit assessed their nausea (baseline), administered the assigned intervention, and then reassessed participants' nausea 2 and 5 minutes after the initial intervention. Participants rated their nausea using a 6-point nausea scale.

FINDINGS:Thirty-five participants became nauseated post-operatively. Participants in all three intervention groups had similar levels of nausea at baseline. The nausea levels of participants in the peppermint spirits group were significantly lower than those of participants in the other two groups 2 and 5 minutes after the initial intervention.

CONCLUSIONS:Peppermint spirits may be a useful adjunct in the treatment of postoperative nausea. This study should be replicated with more participants, using a variety of aromatherapies to treat nausea in participants with different preoperative diagnoses.

UNLABELLED:Traditionally, women gave birth surrounded by other, experienced women. Modern women not only require continuous support during labor, but they also want to have a part in decision-taking. That is why some of them, regardless of how much or how little medical knowledge they have, want to decide about the way of birth on their own. The aim of this study was to find the underlying cause of the growing percentage of cesarean sections and cesarean sections on request and to find an answer to the question of what can be done to reduce that number.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:A survey was conducted among 100 nulliparas between 38 and 40 week of pregnancy who were determined to give birth in a natural way, and among 50 nulliparas, in the same gestational age, who requested cesarean section.

RESULTS:The analysis of our survey shows that request for cesarean section in 12% of cases resulted from fear of labor pain, more than before were declared 2%. After they were informed about methods of reducing labor pain and guaranteed that those methods would be available, as many as 52% of pregnant women who had previously requested cesarean section changed their mind and wanted to give birth in a natural way (this could reduce cesarean section rate about 52%, p<0.05), and 42% (of the total) wanted to have epidural anesthesia.

CONCLUSIONS:Better access of pregnant women to information about pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods of reducing labor pain, coupled with the availability of those methods, can reduce the number of cesarean sections on request even by half. In the group of pregnant women determined to have cesarean section, one in four would give it up if they had access to epidural anesthesia, and one in ten if they had access to non-pharmacological methods of reducing labor pain (mainly acupuncture).

UNLABELLED:Traditionally, women gave birth surrounded by other, experienced women. Modern women not only require continuous support during labor, but they also want to have a part in decision-taking. That is why some of them, regardless of how much or how little medical knowledge they have, want to decide about the way of birth on their own. The aim of this study was to find the underlying cause of the growing percentage of cesarean sections and cesarean sections on request and to find an answer to the question of what can be done to reduce that number.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:A survey was conducted among 100 nulliparas between 38 and 40 week of pregnancy who were determined to give birth in a natural way, and among 50 nulliparas, in the same gestational age, who requested cesarean section.

RESULTS:The analysis of our survey shows that request for cesarean section in 12% of cases resulted from fear of labor pain, more than before were declared 2%. After they were informed about methods of reducing labor pain and guaranteed that those methods would be available, as many as 52% of pregnant women who had previously requested cesarean section changed their mind and wanted to give birth in a natural way (this could reduce cesarean section rate about 52%, p<0.05), and 42% (of the total) wanted to have epidural anesthesia.

CONCLUSIONS:Better access of pregnant women to information about pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods of reducing labor pain, coupled with the availability of those methods, can reduce the number of cesarean sections on request even by half. In the group of pregnant women determined to have cesarean section, one in four would give it up if they had access to epidural anesthesia, and one in ten if they had access to non-pharmacological methods of reducing labor pain (mainly acupuncture).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of postoperative gum chewing on the recovery of bowel motility after caesarean section. DESIGN: A randomised controlled study. SETTING: Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Egypt. POPULATION: A total of 200 pregnant women delivered by elective caesarean section (CS) under general anaesthesia. METHODS: Women were randomised into two groups; group A (93 women) who received one stick of sugarless gum for 15 minutes every 2 hours after surgery, and group B (107 women) had traditional management (oral intake of clear fluids allowed after passage of flatus and regular diet with the passage of bowel movement). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Time to first hearing of normal intestinal sounds, time to first flatus, time to first bowel movement and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: The mean duration of surgery was longer in group A (41.3 +/- 7.5 versus 38.4 +/- 8.1 minutes, P < 0.05). The mean postoperative time interval to first hearing of normal intestinal sounds (10.9 +/- 2.7 versus 15.6 +/- 3.7 hours), passage of flatus (17.9 +/- 4.6 versus 24.4 +/- 7.1 hours), defecation (21.1 +/- 4.7 versus 30 +/- 8.2 hours) and discharge from the hospital (40.8 +/- 10.6 versus 50.5 +/- 8.9 hours) were significantly shorter in group A (P < 0.001). Severe ileus occurred only in one woman belonging to group B. All patients in group A tolerated gum chewing beginning on the first postoperative day. CONCLUSION: Gum chewing after CS is safe, well tolerated, and associated with rapid resumption of intestinal motility and shorter hospital stay; with potential impact on reducing the overall healthcare costs in case of routine implementation.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze reasons for postpartum readmission. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a database analysis of readmissions within 6 weeks after delivery during 2007, with extended (180 day) analysis for pneumonia, appendicitis, and cholecystitis. Linear regression analysis, survival curve fitting, and Gehan-Breslow statistic with Holm-Sidak all-pairwise analysis for multiple comparisons were used. Probability values of<.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: Of 222,751 women delivered, 2655 women (1.2%) were readmitted within 6 weeks (0.83% vaginal delivery and 1.8% cesarean section delivery; P<.001). A high percentage of these readmittances occurred within the first 6 weeks: pneumonia (84%), appendicitis (43%), or cholecystitis (46%). Cumulative readmission rates were higher in the first 6 weeks after delivery than in the next 20 weeks (pneumonia curve gradient, 3.7 vs 0.11; appendicitis curve gradient, 1.1 vs 0.36; cholecystitis curve gradient, 6.6 vs 1.7). CONCLUSION: The cause of postpartum readmission is primarily infectious in origin. A recent pregnancy appears to increase the risk of pneumonia, appendicitis, and cholecystitis.

BACKGROUND: The percentage of United States' births delivered by cesarean section has increased rapidly in recent years, even for women considered to be at low risk for a cesarean section. The purpose of this paper is to examine infant and neonatal mortality risks associated with primary cesarean section compared with vaginal delivery for singleton full-term (37-41 weeks' gestation) women with no indicated medical risks or complications. METHODS: National linked birth and infant death data for the 1998-2001 birth cohorts (5,762,037 live births and 11,897 infant deaths) were analyzed to assess the risk of infant and neonatal mortality for women with no indicated risk by method of delivery and cause of death. Multivariable logistic regression was used to model neonatal survival probabilities as a function of delivery method, and sociodemographic and medical risk factors. RESULTS: Neonatal mortality rates were higher among infants delivered by cesarean section (1.77 per 1,000 live births) than for those delivered vaginally (0.62). The magnitude of this difference was reduced only moderately on statistical adjustment for demographic and medical factors, and when deaths due to congenital malformations and events with Apgar scores less than 4 were excluded. The cesarean/vaginal mortality differential was widespread, and not confined to a few causes of death. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the causes of these differentials is important, given the rapid growth in the number of primary cesareans without a reported medical indication.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to compare the maternal and neonatal morbidity associated with elective cesarean sections with planned vaginal delivery. METHODS: A total of 178 women with elective cesarean section were compared with the next parity- and age-matched women presenting in spontaneous labor. Our analysis was restricted to a sample of low-risk obstetrical women. Maternal and neonatal outcomes were the main outcome variables of interest. Maternal morbidity outcome variables included wound infection, trauma, puerperal febrile morbidity and significant blood loss (>500 ml). Neonatal outcomes were captured by Apgar scores, cord pH as well as the occurrence of neonatal infections. RESULTS: A significantly higher rate of puerperal febrile morbidity (n = 46 vs. 14, p = 0.0001) and wound infections (n = 16 vs. 2, p = 0.0001) could be detected in the elective cesarean section group. Additionally, a significant blood loss>500 ml was more than twice as frequent in the cesarean section group (n = 22 vs. 10, p = 0.03) with non-significant lower postpartum hemoglobin levels being observed (10.4 vs. 11.2 g/dL, p>0.05). A significant increase for the use of iron supplementation (n = 146 vs. 122, p = 0.002), analgesics (n = 168 vs. 60, p = 0.0001) and antibiotics (n = 48 vs. 18, p = 0.0001) could be found in the puerperal period and hospital admission was prolonged in elective cesarean section (6.8 vs. 3.5 days, p = 0.0001). Additionally, problems in breastfeeding occurred more frequently in this group (n = 18 vs. 4, p = 0.002). Neonatal complications were generally low in both the groups with no significant differences being observed (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The increased maternal morbidity in elective cesarean section included puerperal febrile morbidity, wound infections as well as breastfeeding problems in the postpartum period. Women should be sufficiently counseled regarding the increased risk of these complications.

PURPOSE: To ascertain any differences in foetomaternal outcomes in induced and spontaneous labour among nulliparous women delivering at term. METHODS: A retrospective matched cohort study consisting of 403 nulliparous women induced at≥292 days and 806 nulliparous women with spontaneous labour at 285-291 days. RESULTS: Compared to those in spontaneous labour, women who had induction of labour were three times more likely to have a caesarean delivery (OR 3.1, 95% CI 2.4-4.1; P < 0.001). Women who had induction of labour were 2.2 times more likely to have oxytocin augmentation (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.7-2.8; P < 0.001), 3.6 times more likely to have epidural anaesthesia (OR 3.6, 95% CI 2.8-4.6; P < 0.001), 1.7 times more likely to have uterine hyperstimulation (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1-2.6), 2 times more likely to have a suspicious foetal heart rate trace (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.5-2.6), 4.1 times more likely to have blood loss over 500 ml (OR 4.1, 95% CI 2.9-5.5; P < 0.001), and 2.9 times more likely to stay in hospital beyond 5 days (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.5-5.6; P < 0.001). Babies born to mothers who had induction of labour were significantly more likely to have an Apgar score of<5 at 5 min and an arterial cord pH of<7.0. CONCLUSION: Compared to those with spontaneous labour, nulliparous women with induced labours are more likely to have uterine hyperstimulation, caesarean delivery, and babies with low Apgar scores. Nulliparous women should be made aware of this, as well as potential risks of expectant management during counseling.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the risks and benefits associated with caesarean delivery compared with vaginal delivery. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study within the 2005 WHO global survey on maternal and perinatal health. SETTING: 410 health facilities in 24 areas in eight randomly selected Latin American countries; 123 were randomly selected and 120 participated and provided data PARTICIPANTS: 106,546 deliveries reported during the three month study period, with data available for 97,095 (91% coverage). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Maternal, fetal, and neonatal morbidity and mortality associated with intrapartum or elective caesarean delivery, adjusted for clinical, demographic, pregnancy, and institutional characteristics. RESULTS: Women undergoing caesarean delivery had an increased risk of severe maternal morbidity compared with women undergoing vaginal delivery (odds ratio 2.0 (95% confidence interval 1.6 to 2.5) for intrapartum caesarean and 2.3 (1.7 to 3.1) for elective caesarean). The risk of antibiotic treatment after delivery for women having either type of caesarean was five times that of women having vaginal deliveries. With cephalic presentation, there was a trend towards a reduced odds ratio for fetal death with elective caesarean, after adjustment for possible confounding variables and gestational age (0.7, 0.4 to 1.0). With breech presentation, caesarean delivery had a large protective effect for fetal death. With cephalic presentation, however, independent of possible confounding variables and gestational age, intrapartum and elective caesarean increased the risk for a stay of seven or more days in neonatal intensive care (2.1 (1.8 to 2.6) and 1.9 (1.6 to 2.3), respectively) and the risk of neonatal mortality up to hospital discharge (1.7 (1.3 to 2.2) and 1.9 (1.5 to 2.6), respectively), which remained higher even after exclusion of all caesarean deliveries for fetal distress. Such increased risk was not seen for breech presentation. Lack of labour was a risk factor for a stay of seven or more days in neonatal intensive care and neonatal mortality up to hospital discharge for babies delivered by elective caesarean delivery, but rupturing of membranes may be protective. CONCLUSIONS: Caesarean delivery independently reduces overall risk in breech presentations and risk of intrapartum fetal death in cephalic presentations but increases the risk of severe maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality in cephalic presentations.

BACKGROUND: Data about maternal outcomes of elective Caesarean section in low-income countries are limited. AIMS: To estimate the maternal morbidity and mortality associated with elective Caesarean delivery at a Nigerian University hospital. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of all elective Caesarean deliveries at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Nigeria (1990-2005). For each case of elective Caesarean delivery, four parturients who achieved non-operative vaginal delivery following spontaneous onset of labour were selected to serve as a referent group. Morbidity outcomes and mortality among women who had elective Caesarean delivery were compared with those of the referent group to estimate their comparative risks. Level of significance was put at P<0.05. RESULTS: A total of 164 elective Caesarean sections were performed out of 6882 deliveries (2.4%). All morbidities were more frequent among women who had elective Caesarean section compared to those who had vaginal delivery but only peripartum blood transfusion (11.6 vs 5.6%), puerperal febrile morbidity (11.0 vs 4.7%), unplanned readmission (4.3 vs 1.4%), mean fall in haemoglobin concentration (1.5 +/- 0.6 vs 0.5 +/- 0.7 g/dL) and mean hospital stay (13.3 +/- 8.8 vs 6.2 +/- 5.4 days) showed statistically significant differences. There was one maternal death among the elective Caesarean section group, giving a maternal mortality ratio of 6.1:1000 deliveries, which was not significantly different from 3.0:1000 deliveries in the referent group. CONCLUSION: Elective Caesarean delivery in this hospital is certainly accompanied by considerable maternal risks and should be offered to pregnant women with extreme caution. Efforts should be made to improve its safety by investigating and rectifying the factors responsible for the associated severe maternal complications.

AIM: Pregnant women and their doctors need to know the maternal risks associated with different methods of delivery. There are few publications with ideal study design and adequate power to establish the relationship between maternal mortality and mode of delivery. The present retrospective cohort study was undertaken to evaluate the intrinsic risk of maternal death, directly attributed to cesarean delivery (CD) compared to vaginal delivery (VD), and to evaluate further the differential risk associated with antepartum and intrapartum CD. METHODS: After exclusion of medical or obstetric comorbidities, all deliveries, either vaginal or cesarean, were critically analyzed. The surviving mothers who had either method of delivery represented the two comparative groups. In the same period, relevant clinical information of every maternal death was noted. RESULTS: Twenty seven mothers died among the 13 627 CD mothers and 19 died among 30 215 VD mothers. CD was associated with a 3.01-fold increase in the risk of maternal mortality, compared with VD. The risk of antepartum CD differed from intrapartum CD (OR 1.73 vs OR 4.86). There was a significantly increased risk of maternal death from complications of anesthesia, puerperal infection and venous thromboembolism. The risk of death from postpartum hemorrhage did not differ significantly (95% CI 0.7-3.95). CONCLUSION: CD is increasingly perceived as a low-risk procedure. However, the present study clearly demonstrates that the risk of maternal death due to CD is significantly high, particularly when performed in labor. Therefore, CD should only be practiced when conditions clearly demand it.

BACKGROUND: The rate of elective primary cesarean delivery continues to rise, owing in part to the widespread perception that the procedure is of little or no risk to healthy women. METHODS: Using the Canadian Institute for Health Information's Discharge Abstract Database, we carried out a retrospective population-based cohort study of all women in Canada (excluding Quebec and Manitoba) who delivered from April 1991 through March 2005. Healthy women who underwent a primary cesarean delivery for breech presentation constituted a surrogate "planned cesarean group" considered to have undergone low-risk elective cesarean delivery, for comparison with an otherwise similar group of women who had planned to deliver vaginally. RESULTS: The planned cesarean group comprised 46,766 women v. 2,292,420 in the planned vaginal delivery group; overall rates of severe morbidity for the entire 14-year period were 27.3 and 9.0, respectively, per 1000 deliveries. The planned cesarean group had increased postpartum risks of cardiac arrest (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 5.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.1-6.3), wound hematoma (OR 5.1, 95% CI 4.6-5.5), hysterectomy (OR 3.2, 95% CI 2.2-4.8), major puerperal infection (OR 3.0, 95% CI 2.7-3.4), anesthetic complications (OR 2.3, 95% CI 2.0-2.6), venous thromboembolism (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.5-3.2) and hemorrhage requiring hysterectomy (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.2-3.8), and stayed in hospital longer (adjusted mean difference 1.47 d, 95% CI 1.46-1.49 d) than those in the planned vaginal delivery group, but a lower risk of hemorrhage requiring blood transfusion (OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.2-0.8). Absolute risk increases in severe maternal morbidity rates were low (e.g., for postpartum cardiac arrest, the increase with planned cesarean delivery was 1.6 per 1000 deliveries, 95% CI 1.2-2.1). The difference in the rate of in-hospital maternal death between the 2 groups was nonsignificant (p = 0.87). INTERPRETATION: Although the absolute difference is small, the risks of severe maternal morbidity associated with planned cesarean delivery are higher than those associated with planned vaginal delivery. These risks should be considered by women contemplating an elective cesarean delivery and by their physicians.

BACKGROUND:Acupressure is increasing in popularity as an alternative treatment in obstetrics and gynecology.

OBJECTIVES:To summarize and assess evidence regarding the effects of acupressure on duration of labor and mode of delivery.

SEARCH STRATEGY:Four major databases and Google Scholar were searched using terms related to labor and acupressure, without language restrictions, up to November 2015.

SELECTION CRITERIA:Randomized controlled trials were included if they examined the effect of acupressure at any acupoint during childbirth on duration of labor and/or mode of delivery.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS:Two reviewers independently extracted data. The outcome measures were duration of labor and mode of delivery. Random-effects models were used to pool results.

MAIN RESULTS:Thirteen studies were included in meta-analyses. Acupressure increased the chance of vaginal delivery when compared with placebo/no intervention (odds ratio [OR] 2.329, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.348-4.024, P=0.002; risk difference [RD] 8.9%, 95% CI 2.7%-15.0%, P=0.005). Acupressure decreased the duration of the active phase by 1.310 hours (95% CI -1.738 to -0.882; P<0.001) and the second stage of labor by 5.808 minutes (95% CI -1.615 to -0.807; P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS:Acupressure could have a role in reducing the rate of cesarean delivery and decreasing the duration of labor in parturient women. However, there is a need for more reliable randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Evidence on the benefits of music during caesarean section under regional anaesthesia to improve clinical and psychological outcomes for mothers and infants has not been established. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of music during caesarean section under regional anaesthesia for improving clinical and psychological outcomes for mothers and infants. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (30 September 2008). SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials comparing music added to standard care during caesarean section under regional anaesthesia to standard care alone. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors, Malinee Laopaiboon and Ruth Martis, independently assessed eligibility, risk of bias in included trials and extracted data. We analysed continuous outcomes using a mean difference (MD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). MAIN RESULTS: One trial involving 76 women who planned to have their babies delivered by caesarean section met the inclusion criteria, but data were available for only 64 women. This trial was of low quality with unclear allocation concealment and only a few main clinical outcomes reported for the women. The trial did not report any infant outcomes. It appears that music added to standard care during caesarean section under regional anaesthesia had some impact on pulse rate at the end of maternal contact with the neonate in the intra-operative period (MD -7.50 fewer beats per minute, 95% CI -14.08 to -0.92) and after completion of skin suture for the caesarean section (MD -7.37 fewer beats per minute, 95% CI -13.37 to -1.37). There was also an improvement in the birth satisfaction score (maximum possible score of 35) (MD of 3.38, 95%CI 1.59 to 5.17). Effects on other outcomes were either not significant or not reported in the one included trial. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that music during planned caesarean section under regional anaesthesia may improve pulse rate and birth satisfaction score. However, the magnitude of these benefits is small and the methodological quality of the one included trial is questionable. Therefore, the clinical significance of music is unclear. More research is needed to investigate the effects of music during caesarean section under regional anaesthesia on both maternal and infant outcomes, in various ethnic pregnant women, and with adequate sample sizes.

OBJECTIVE: To establish whether the timing of delivery between 37 and 42 weeks gestation influences neonatal respiratory outcome and thus provide information which can be used to aid planning of elective delivery at term. DESIGN: All cases of respiratory distress syndrome or transient tachypnoea at term requiring admission to the neonatal intensive care unit were recorded prospectively for nine years. SETTING: Rosie Maternity Hospital, Cambridge. SUBJECTS: During this time 33,289 deliveries occurred at or after 37 weeks of gestation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: This information enabled calculation of the relative risk of respiratory morbidity for respiratory distress syndrome or transient tachypnoea in relation to mode of delivery and onset of parturition for each week of gestation at term. RESULTS: The incidence of respiratory distress syndrome at term was 2.2/1000 deliveries (95% CI; 1.7-2.7). The incidence of transient tachypnoea was 5.7/1000 deliveries (95% CI; 4.9-6.5). The incidence of respiratory morbidity was significantly higher for the group delivered by caesarean section before the onset of labour (35.5/1000) compared with caesarean section during labour (12.2/1000) (odds ratio, 2.9; 95% CI 1.9-4.4; P<0.001), and compared with vaginal delivery (5.3/1000) (odds ratio, 6.8; 95% CI 5.2-8.9; P<0.001). The relative risk of neonatal respiratory morbidity for delivery by caesarean section before the onset of labour during the week 37+0 to 37+6 compared with the week 38+0 to 38+6 was 1.74 (95% CI 1.1-2.8; P<0.02) and during the week 38+0 to 38+6 compared with the week 39+0 to 39+6 was 2.4 (95% CI 1.2-4.8; P<0.02). CONCLUSIONS: A significant reduction in neonatal respiratory morbidity would be obtained if elective caesarean section was performed in the week 39+0 to 39+6 of pregnancy.