Abstract
Author(s): Jolanta Mazurek-Kantor (ABCDEF), Anna SÅomka (BCDE), Krzysztof Cendrowski (E), WÅodzimierz Sawicki (E)
Introduction. In recent years, the frequency of caesarean sections has been constantly rising. The reasons for this phenomenon include: economic factors, increasing medicalization of labor, technological progress of medicine and the associated increase in the number of pregnant women suffering from various diseases, the development of assisted reproductive technology and the “epidemic” of court cases. Aim of the study. The aim of the present study was to compare selected indications for caesarean sections in two time periods. Materials and methods. The material came from 6915 patients who had caesarean sections performed in 2002–2014. Results. In 2002–2007, the most frequent indications for caesarean section were: threatening fetal asphyxia, abnormal fetal positions and fetal head high straight bit. In 2008–2014, the most frequent indications were: threatening fetal asphyxia, abnormal fetal positions and the lack of agreement for vaginal labor in patients post the previous caesarean section. Conclusions. In the time periods 2002–2007 and 2008–2014, the proportion of performed caesarean sections increased. Threatening fetal asphyxia was the most frequent indication. The lack of consent to natural labor in patients who had previously undergone caesarean section was a new indication that occupied the third place among the most frequent indications for a surgical delivery in 2008–2014. A statistically significant increase in the number of twin pregnancies, as an effect of assisted reproductive technology, influences the rise in the proportion of caesarean sections.