How safe is caesarean section

Abstract

Over an almost 5 year period, 8,017 caesarean sections were done, and there were 51 maternal deaths following caesarean section (of which 5 were done outside). Caesarean section deaths accounted for 1 in 8 overall maternal deaths in the hospital, and institutional mortality for caesarean section was 5.7/1,000 operations. The causes of death included haemorragic shock in 19 (37.3%), general anaesthesia (11.6%), hypertensive disorders 5 (9.8%), general anaesthesia in hypertensive pregnancies 4 (7.8%), septicaemia 7 (13.7%), hepatic failure 3 (5.9%), pulmonary edema 2 (3.9%) and unknown including pulmonary embolism 6 (11.6%). Five deaths followed elective operations. Caesarean section done in cases of antepartum haemorrhage, hypertensive disorders, post caesarean pregnancies with adherent placentae and obstructed labour caused the majority of caesarean mortalities.