Effects of vaginal delivery, cesarean section and exposure to labor on endothelial function of pregnant women.

INTRODUCTION

This study was undertaken to assess the influence of labor and cesarean section on endothelial function.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Flow-mediated vasodilatation (FMD) was measured before and after delivery for an assessment of endothelial function in three groups: (1) the Vaginal delivery group (with spontaneous labor or induction of labor, n = 48), (2) the Elective C/S group (with a cesarean planned, n = 20), and (3) the C/S after FP group (scheduled for vaginal delivery but required to have an emergency cesarean section because of failure in progress, n = 11).

RESULTS

There were statistically significant changes between the antepartum and postpartum FMD values in the Vaginal delivery group and the Elective C/S group but not in the C/S after FP group (P < 0.001, P = 0.023 and P = 0.22 respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

These observations suggest that labor may enhance endothelial function and that cesarean section may impair endothelial function.