Pattern and Outcome of Higher Order Caesarean Section in a Secondary Health Facility in Nigeria

This study was done to determine the rate, pattern and outcome of higher order caesarean section among parturient in a secondary health facility. A- 5 year retrospective study of the clinical records and delivery registers of all parturient that had caesarean section in Mile 4 hospital, Abakaliki between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2010. The overall caesarean section rate was 10.5%. The rate of higher order caesarean section per total caesarean section was 14.4% and total delivery was 1.5%. Of the 156 higher order caesarean section, 110(70.5%) were done as emergencies and 29.5% as elective. The perinatal mortality rate from emergency higher order caesarean section was high (98.2/1000). There was no perinatal death from elective caesarean section. The maternal mortality ratio from emergency higher order caesarean section was 1282/100,000 and no maternal death was recorded with elective caesarean section. The proportion of higher order caesarean section that was done as an emergency was high with associated feto-maternal morbidity and mortality. There is the need to enlighten the public on the danger of trying vaginal delivery after two or more caesarean sections.