[Cesarean section for fetal distress--is the decision interval for delivery significant?].

UNLABELLED: The recommended Interval between the decision to perform emergency cesarean section and the delivery itself is 30 minutes. There is not enough clinical evidence in maintenance of this opinion.

AIM: to study the interval from the decision of the cesarean section for fetal distress to delivery itself, as well as to analyze fetal and mother's outcome.

METHODS

Prospective 13-month-study for the period 2003-2004 in Delivery room "Majchin Dom" included observation of 125 women. Cesarean section is classified in 3 Categories--1st--deemed highly hazardous for mother or/and fetus (crush); 2nd--not directly hazardous for mother or/and fetus (emergency); and 3dt--not direct mother or/and fetal distress, but the delivery is necessary in a short period of time (urgency). The Interval and the Categories are comparable with the presence or absence of fetal distress (Apgar < 7, pH < 7.20).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Positive results are found in the 1st category when the C-section is performed in 30 minutes. There are significant differences between the three Categories--the percentage of fetal distress is growing up comparable to prolongation of the time interval. Prolongation of the time interval for more than 60 minutes lead to poor fetal outcome.