Nuala Lucas

Operative delivery rates following induction of labour for obstetric cholestasis

The aim of this study was to determine whether women induced for obstetric cholestasis (OC) have increased rates of operative delivery compared with women without OC who are induced. This retrospective case-control study included 64 women with OC (singleton pregnancies), who had labour induced compared with two control groups (matched for parity and gestational week at delivery). The majority of women were induced at 37 weeks. We found no significant increase in the rate of operative or assisted delivery in OC cases compared with either control group. Women with OC who are induced between 36 and 40 weeks gestation do not have increased rates of assisted or operative delivery compared with induced controls.

Choice of Anaesthesia for Emergency Caesarean Section

The number of caesarean sections performed worldwide has increased over the last two decades. There are many reasons for including: changing demographics, the rising age of first-time mothers, rising levels of obesity, a maternal preference in some countries for caesarean section over vaginal delivery, a rising proportion of multiple births, increasing medico-legal concerns and organizational factors. Many of these factors are interrelated.