Length of labour, emergency caesarean damage and preterm birth risk

 

Glazewska-Hallin A (Presenting)1, Rosen O’Sullivan H1, Story L1,2, Suff N 1, Carter J1, Shennan A1

1 Department of Women's and Children's Health, St Thomas' Hospital, King's College London, London, UK

2 Centre for the Developing Brain, King's College, London, London, UK

 

Objective

Emergency caesarean section (EMCS) especially at full dilatation (FDCS) causes cervical caesarean damage (CCD) (Figure 1) and is associated with an increased subsequent risk of spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB). The aetiology is unclear but may be related to obstructed labour and/or cervical trauma. Our prospective study analyses the relationship between length of labour prior to EMCS and future pregnancy sPTB risk.