Cesarean Section News and Research

Latest Cesarean Section News and Research

King's researchers analyze potential risks of C-section

A series of papers published in the Lancet shows that globally the number of babies born through cesarean section (C-section) almost doubled between 2000 and 2015: from 12% to 21% of all births or nearly 30 million worldwide.

26 Oct 2018

Hospitals differ largely in using 'trial of labor after cesarean delivery'

Despite the conventional belief that for women giving birth "once a cesarean always a cesarean," vaginal delivery after cesarean -- also known as "trial of labor after cesarean delivery" -- offers a safe option for many second-time mothers with no contraindications.

25 Oct 2018

Study finds why pregnant women in mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan prefer cesarean delivery

Pregnant women in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan are more likely to express preference for cesarean section as their mode of delivery later in pregnancy and postpartum, as compared to early in pregnancy, according to a study published this week in PLOS Medicine.

19 Oct 2018

Elective induction of labor at 39 weeks may be beneficial option for women and their babies

As the prevalence of maternal and fetal complications increases with advancing pregnancy beyond 39 weeks, induction of labor at 39 weeks has been proposed as a means to ensure optimal maternal and newborn health.

17 Oct 2018

Birth mode may have acute effects on neurodevelopment, study suggests

Cesarean-born mice show altered patterns of cell death across the brain, exhibiting greater nerve cell death than vaginally delivered mice in at least one brain area, a finding by Georgia State University researchers that suggests birth mode may have acute effects on human neurodevelopment that may lead to long-lasting changes in the brain and behavior.

16 Oct 2018

Overweight or obese mothers may have babies with multiple self-regulatory problems

A mother's weight during early pregnancy may affect how well her baby is able to self-regulate during its first months and years of life.

10 Oct 2018

First gut bacteria in newborns may have lasting effect on ability to ward off chronic diseases

New research showing that the first bacteria introduced into the gut have a lasting impact may one day allow science to adjust microbiomes--the one-of-a-kind microbial communities that live in our gastrointestinal tracts--to help ward off serious chronic diseases.

18 Sep 2018

UAMS’ multi-disciplinary structure offers best maternal and fetal care

Charlotte and Emelia Dubs are just starting to toddle around their world. The 1-year-old twin girls from Conway spend their days exploring, laughing, blowing kisses and keeping their parents, Kenzie Butcher-Dubs and Morgan Dubs, on their toes.

6 Sep 2018

UIC to evaluate use of negative pressure wound therapy in obese and diabetic patients

Surgical site infections are a significant complication that can prevent proper wound healing, require expensive treatment and may even lead to death in severe cases. Patients with higher body mass indices and with diabetes have an increased risk of developing incision infections.

5 Sep 2018

New study finds that pregnancy is safe for most women with heart disease

Is it safe for women with heart disease to become pregnant? Usually, according to ten-year results from the ROPAC registry reported in a late breaking science session today at ESC Congress 2018.

28 Aug 2018

Five tips for successful long-term breastfeeding

Breastfeeding can have its challenges early on. There's learning the appropriate feeding positions and techniques, knowing when and how often to feed the baby, and so many other intangibles.

15 Aug 2018

Inducing labor in first-time mothers at 39 weeks can help prevent cesarean births, finds study

A new national study has found that inducing labor in first-time mothers at 39 weeks can help prevent cesarean births and high blood pressure.

9 Aug 2018

Electing to induce labor at 39 weeks reduces the need for C-section

Inducing labor in healthy women at 39 weeks into their pregnancy reduces the need for cesarean section and is at least as safe for mother and baby as waiting for spontaneous labor.

9 Aug 2018

ERAS pathway helps enhance a mother's recovery after cesarean delivery

A new enhanced recovery after surgery process -; also known as ERAS -; has been developed and implemented at the University of Alabama at Birmingham to help enhance a mother's recovery after a cesarean delivery, one of the most common surgeries performed in the United States.

3 Aug 2018

Study offers insight into factors influencing decision to perform C-sections

Fear of litigation and perceived safety concerns and are among the key factors influencing the decision to perform a cesarean section, according to a major international literature review conducted by researchers at the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin.

31 Jul 2018

Mother's diet during pregnancy may impact baby's gut microbiome, shows study

A mother's diet during pregnancy may have an effect on the composition of her baby's gut microbiome - the community of bacteria living in the gut - and the effect may vary by delivery mode, according to study published in the open access journal Microbiome.

5 Jul 2018

Doling out pain pills post-surgery: An ingrown toenail not the same as a bypass

What's the right painkiller prescription to send home with a patient after gallbladder surgery or a cesarean section?

22 Jun 2018

Scientists develop new test to predict woman's risk of preterm birth

Scientists at UC San Francisco have developed a test to predict a woman's risk of preterm birth when she is between 15 and 20 weeks pregnant, which may enable doctors to treat them early and thereby prevent severe complications later in the pregnancy.

24 May 2018

‘Time’s up’: Covered California takes aim at hospital C-section rates

Covered California, the state’s health insurance marketplace under the Affordable Care Act, has devised what could be a powerful new way to hold hospitals accountable for the quality of their care. Starting in less than two years, if the hospitals haven’t met targets for safety and quality, they’ll risk being excluded from the “in-network” designation of health plans sold on the state’s insurance exchange.

24 May 2018

Study explores effect of physical activity during pregnancy on labor outcomes

In a recent Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica study, a combined lifestyle intervention including dietary counseling and twice-weekly exercise classes during pregnancy resulted in a slightly longer first stage of labor, without any other effects during labor or delivery.

10 May 2018