Abstract

Objectives: Cesarean section in nulliparous women leads to the repeat of cesarean section in the subsequent pregnancies. This study aimed to identify the indications and related factors of cesarean section in nulliparous women in Central Vietnam.

Methods: A cross-sectional prospective study was conducted on 2482 nulliparas who had undergone either cesarean section or vaginal delivery at the Hue University Hospital from July 2016 to June 2017. The indicators of cesarean section were classified by maternal, fetal, or placental and umbilical cord abnormalities. Factors related to maternal complications and neonatal outcomes were further analyzed.

Result: The cesarean section rate was 41.9%. The fetal condition (40.4%) and the medical conditions of the mother and fetus (28.4%) were the major obstetric indications for cesarean section. There was a significant association between an increased cesarean section rate and the following factors: Maternal age, gestational age, duration of admitted hospital stay before delivery, hypertension, abnormal cardiotocography, number of fetus and fetal weight. Besides, history of infertility treatment and social reasons were also indicators for cesarean section.

Conclusion: Indications for cesarean section in nulliparous women were widely observed in Vietnam owing to specific maternal factors and fetal status

Keywords: Cesarean section; Nulliparous; Pregnant women; Vietnam