Incision-to-delivery interval and neonatal wellbeing during cesarean section.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of variation of the incision-to-delivery interval on neonatal wellbeing during cesarean delivery.

METHODS

In this prospective study, 71 women, hemodynamically stable and without severe comorbidities, undergone an antepartum cesarean delivery; acid-base status, umbilical arterial oxygen content and Apgar score were used as indicators of neonatal wellbeing. Umbilical cord blood gas, the Apgar score of each neonate, the interval between skin incision and delivery and the interval between hysterotomy and fetal extraction of 71 cesarean deliveries were assessed in our level III University Hospital.

RESULTS

Neither variation of skin incision-to-delivery interval nor variation of the interval between hysterotomy and delivery of the fetus is associated with a variation of indicators of neonatal wellbeing.

CONCLUSION

A longer skin incision-to-delivery interval in cesarean birth does not compromise neonatal acid-base balance. Similarly, a longer interval between hysterotomy and delivery of the fetus is not associated with a variation of indicators of neonatal wellbeing. Awareness of this fact could give the surgeon more tranquility and help to prevent part of the iatrogenic complications associated with cesarean delivery.