Abstract
Objective: The objective of the following study is to determine the indications and risks for cesarean section (CS) among primiparous women. Materials and Methods: This register-based study was conducted from January to December 2011, at the Maternity and Children's Hospital, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia. The total number of primiparous women who delivered during the study period was 1146. Of the 367 who delivered by CS, 13 multiple pregnancies were excluded from the study. The remaining 354 women that comprised the study group were compared with 354 primiparous women who had delivered vaginally during the same period (control group). Logistic regression analysis was used to compare selected variables for the risk of CS. Results: Of the total 1146 primiparous women who had delivered during the study period, 32% (n = 367) underwent CS, with most (71.7%, n = 263) undergoing an emergency CS. Common indications for CS were fetal distress (30%, n = 110), breech presentation (19.3%, n = 71), failure of labor progression (18.8%, n = 69), and failure to induce labor (11.7%, n = 43). Logistic regression analysis showed that the rate of CS increased significantly in association with lower maternal age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.868, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1383-2.523, P < 0.0001) and a fetal weight of = 4 kg (OR = 3.491, 95% CI = 2.082-5.854, P < 0.0001). No fetal or maternal mortality was reported. Conclusion: This study shows that the cesarean section rate (CSR) is increasing. Common indications for CS were fetal distress, breech presentation in labor, failed induction of labor, and failure to progress. This increase in the CSR was significantly associated with younger maternal age (>= 22 years) and a fetal birth weight >= 4 kg.