Abstract
Background. To assess cesarean section-related maternal mortality in The Netherlands during 1983-1992. Methods. A nationwide confidential enquiry into the causes of maternal death. Results. The risk of dying after vaginal birth was 0.04 per 1000 vaginal births (65/1.763.999) compared to 0.53 per 1000 cesarean births (57/108.587). The direct risk of dying from cesarean section was 0.13 per 1000 operations (14/108.587). In some women cesarean section did not initiate, but contributed to, the train of events leading to death. Adding this associated risk to the direct risk gives a fatality rate of 0.28 per 1000 cesarean births (30/108.587). Conclusions. Although cesarean section is a relatively safe procedure nowadays, birth by cesarean section in The Netherlands is seven limes more hazardous than vaginal birth. Keeping the cesarean birth rate as low as possible is therefore in the interest of women of reproductive age.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 332-334 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica |
Volume | 76 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Apr 1997 |
Bibliographical note
First published 'online': 12 April 2011Keywords
- Cesarean section-related mortality
- Confidential enquiry
- Maternal mortality
- The Netherlands