Abstract:

Background: There are several indications of cesarean section and they can be classified as absolute or relevant indications. Absolute indications include central placenta previa, contracted pelvis and cephalopelvic disproportion, advanced cancer of the cervix, vaginal stenosis, obstructing pelvic mass. Relative indications includes previous Cesarean Scar, fetal Distress (Non-Reassuring fetal heart rate), dystocia (in which may be due to obstruction in the passage, large size of the baby or, inefficient uterine contractions), antepartum hemorrhage either due to abruptio placenta or ruptured placenta previa, hypertensive disorders such as Pre-Eclampsia and Eclampsia, Fetal Malpresentation, failed induction of labor, bad obstetric history such as recurrent fetal demise.

Methods: A retrospective hospital based cross-sectional study was done at Mr. Meru Arusha hospital which involved 315 primiparous women recorded in delivery book from January to October 2019. Data was collected by analyzed using SPSS software.

Results: This study involved 315 primiparous women were 64.1% delivery by SVD and 35.9% delivered by CS. Among those who delivered by CS, 92.9% were emergency CS delivery and only 7.1% were elective CS delivery. The common top 5 indications of CS delivery were as follows; fetal distress 36.3%, fetal malpresentation 14.2%, poor progress of labor 13.3%, obstructed labor 7.9%, PIH 4.5%. In majority of participants, the mother and fetal outcome were both good.

Conclusion: The prevalence of CS delivery among primiparous women is higher at (35.9%) compared to WHO standards of 10% - 15% and this can be explained by several factors and complications encountered during pregnancy and delivery of the prime pregnancy.