Background: Emergency Cesarean section is the most common major surgical procedure in Africa and anesthesia is required for Cesarean sections. Aim: The aim of the study was to describe the actions of the perioperative team, with the main objective on the nurse anesthetist during a Cesarean section in Ghana. Methods: An ethnographic design with unstructed participant observations was carried out for this qualitative study. This overt descriptive study was carried out during 2 weeks in January 2011 at the Oda Government Hospital in Akim-Oda in Ghana. The content was analyzed through thematic content analysis based on field notes. Results: During 7 observations the writers found that the nurse anesthetists at the work alone without an anesthesiologist. The content analysis identified 5 different categories of the nurse anesthetists practice and the surgical team during a Cesarean section: Work environment, Care and treatment of the patient, Resources, Hygiene, Safety and security. Conclusion: The different treatment of the patient in Ghana and in Sweden was substantial. However; the writers found the working environment for the nurse anesthetist to be functioning, with limited means and resources. / Bakgrund: Akut Kejsarsnitt är det vanligaste större kirurgiska ingrepp i Afrika och anestesi krävs för Kejsarsnitt. Syfte: Syftet med studien var att beskriva åtgärderna av ett perioperativ team, med huvudfokus på anestesisjuksköterskan, under ett Kejsarsnitt i Ghana. Metod: En etnografisk design med ostrukturerade deltagande observationer utfördes för denna kvalitativa studie. Studien genomfördes under 2 veckor i januari 2011 på Oda regions sjukhus i Akim-Oda i Ghana. Innehållet analyserades genom tematiska innehållsanalyser av field notes. Resultat: Vid 7 observationer fann författarna att anestesisjuksköterskan arbetade ensam utan en anestesiolog. Innehållsanalysen uppvisade 5 olika kategorier av anestesisjuksköterskans praxis och det kirurgiska teamet under ett Kejsarsnitt. Arbetsmiljö, vård och behandling av patienten, resurser, hygien, säkerhet och trygghet. Slutsats: Behandlingen av patienten jämfört med vården som ges till patienter i Sverige var märkbart annorlunda . Trots detta fann författarna att arbetsmiljön för anestesisjuksköterskan fungerade, med begränsade medel och resurser.

Background and Significance: Cesarean delivery rates increased by more than 50% between 1996 and 2011 in the United States. The large increase in rates for the procedure was generally not associated with significant improvements in obstetric outcomes, raising concern about quality and prompting recommendations for prevention. Primary cesareans provide the best opportunity to reduce overall cesarean rates, and the group of first-time mothers considered low-risk for cesarean (known as nulliparous, term, singleton, vertex, NTSV) constitutes the focus of prevention efforts. Studies increasingly report racial and ethnic differences in NTSV cesareans, which remain after controlling for health factors. However, the reasons for these disparities and whether or not they can be mitigated are issues that are not well known. The objective of this investigation was to examine factors that modify the association between race, ethnicity and NTSV cesarean deliveries in Florida. Our overall aim was to improve understanding of drivers of racial and ethnic disparities in cesareans in order to inform efforts to reduce disparities. Methods: We conducted a population-based retrospective cohort study of 145,117 NTSV deliveries in labor, using Florida’s linked birth certificate and maternal hospital discharge records for the period of 2012 to 2014. The study was restricted to births in routine delivery hospitals to five racial and ethnic groups: non-Hispanic whites and blacks (including Haitians), Cubans, Puerto Ricans, and Mexicans. Two contrasting approaches were employed in the analysis. First, generalized linear mixed modelling was used to examine, quantify and describe effect modification of the race/ethnicity–association by cesarean risk factors. Non-Hispanic whites were the reference group for comparison. Second, classification tree modeling (chi-Squared Automatic Interaction Detection, CHAID) was used to identify cesarean risk factor combinations that define distinct subgroups with high and low rates of NTSV cesarean among the different racial and ethnic groups in the study population. Risk factors examined included individual socioeconomic, medical and health service-related factors, hospital factors, and a maternal neighborhood index of deprivation/affluence. Results: Non-Hispanic whites were the largest racial/ethnic group in the study population (57.6%), followed by non-Hispanic blacks (23%), Cubans (8.1%), Puerto Ricans (6.8%) and finally Mexicans (4.5%). All four minority groups experienced a higher risk of cesarean relative to non-Hispanic whites after adjusting for significant risk factors, with Cubans having the highest adjusted risk ratio (RR, 1.27) followed by non-Hispanic blacks (RR, 1.18). From the regression-based tests of effect modification, we found positive interactions between race (non-Hispanic black versus white), older gestational age, and labor induction; and negative interactions between ethnicity (Cuban versus non-Hispanic white), presence of medical risk conditions, and labor induction. The adjusted RR of cesarean comparing blacks to whites was 1.04 among spontaneous deliveries at early term (P=.33), but increased to 1.28 (P Conclusions: Our findings on risk factors that modified the association between race, ethnicity and NTSV cesarean delivery and differences in cesarean risk subgroups between racial and ethnic groups suggest that there are potential opportunities to reduce disparities in rates for the procedure in Florida. Whereas racial disparities appear to be related to disparities in health service factors related to cesarean, ethnic disparities appear to persist above and beyond the medical and health service factors included in this investigation. Further research, potentially involving qualitative methods and targeting some of the identified maternal subgroups with high rates of cesarean may help clarify maternal cultural factors, or differences in patient-provider interaction, that may contribute to some of the disparities.

Pregnancy in women with hemoglobinopathy has been associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. We conducted a historical cohort study using Discharge Abstract Database for the fiscal year 1991-1992 through 2007-2008. We estimated the frequency of pregnant women with hemoglobinopathy and examined their associations with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Women with sickle cell disease are more likely to develop pre-eclampsia and preterm labor, and to undergo cesarean delivery than women with nutritional deficiency anemia, suggesting that there are other mechanisms beyond anemia that may be responsible for an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. The data suggested a synergistic effect of hemoglobinopathy and pre-eclampsia on preterm labor and cesarean delivery. Prediction models for pre-eclampsia, preterm labor and cesarean delivery were created and internally validated for women with hemoglobinopathy, with satisfactory discrimination and calibration.

Background: Current cesarean delivery (CD) rates in many industrialized countries are well above the recommended rates. Objective: The overall goal of this thesis was to identify sources for unnecessary CD. Specific objectives were to: 1) analyze the leading indications for CD and their associations with neonatal outcomes; 2) compare adverse birth outcomes between elective primary cesarean delivery (EPCD) and trial of labor after vaginal birth (TOLAV), and between elective repeat cesarean delivery (ERCD) and trial of labor after cesarean birth (TOLAC); and 3) assess the cost-effectiveness of ERCD and TOLAC. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Leading indications for CD were analyzed and risks of neonatal outcomes between “soft” indications and “hard” indications were compared first, using 2006 to 2013 Better Outcomes and Registry Network Ontario data. A pair of analyses: comparing risks of adverse birth outcomes between EPCD and TOLAV and between ERCD and TOLAC, were then conducted using United States 2005 to 2010 birth registration data. Analysis were performed using logistic regression and propensity score matching models. Finally, a cost-effectiveness analysis between ERCD and TOLAC was performed. Results: The single largest contributor for overall CD was ERCD (34.3%) and for primary CD was dystocia (31.9%) in Ontario. Compared with infants of mothers with CD for “hard” indications, the risks of Apgar score <7 at 5 minutes for infants of mothers with CD for non-reassuring-fetal-status was increased, while the risks of Apgar score <7 at 5 minutes and neonatal death for infants of mothers with ERCD and dystocia were decreased. Compared with infants of mothers who underwent TOLAV, infants of mothers who underwent EPCD were more likely to require antibiotics and ventilation support, but less likely to have birth injury. On the other hand, compared with infants of mothers who underwent TOLAC, infants of mothers who underwent ERCD were less likely to require antibiotics and ventilation support. ERCD was similar to the TOLAC birth option in terms of cost effectiveness. Conclusions: Tight up criteria for “soft” indications such as labor dystocia could result in substantial reduction in CD without harming the infants.

Orientador: Antonieta Keiko Kakuda Shimo / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Enfermagem / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-24T10:50:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Mafetoni_ReginaldoRoque_M.pdf: 1765630 bytes, checksum: 7421b5f67d41e9a6d29e4c7abd2d5fdf (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: Objetivos: Avaliar os efeitos da acupressão no ponto Sanyinjiao (BP6) sobre a dor na primeira fase do trabalho de parto, o consumo de drogas analgésicas e analgesias/anestesias, o incômodo pelo tratamento recebido, o tempo de trabalho de parto, a taxa de cesárea o índice de Apgar no 1º e 5º minuto do recém-nascido e a satisfação pessoal em utilizar o tratamento entre os grupos. Método: Trata-se de um ensaio clínico controlado e randomizado, de caráter pragmático, com características simples-cego na avaliação da dor e duplo-cego nos desfechos de tempo de trabalho de parto e taxa de cesárea. Foram selecionadas 156 gestantes, com ? 37 semanas, dilatação cervical ? 4 cm e ? 2 contrações em 10 minutos, divididas em três grupos por meio de uma lista de números aleatórios, em um hospital universitário do interior do estado de São Paulo, Brasil, para receber acupressão, placebo ou participar como controle. Todas as participantes foram orientadas e estimuladas a realizar uma técnica de exercício respiratório e relaxamento muscular. A acupressão foi aplicada no ponto BP6 e a intensidade da dor avaliada por uma Escala Analógica e Visual (EAV) antes do tratamento, imediatamente (20 minutos) e 1 hora após o tratamento. Resultados: A média do escore de dor da EAV não foi diferente nos três grupos na admissão (p=0.0929), porém, as diferenças se fizeram imediatamente (p=<0.0001) e com 1 hora após o tratamento (p=<0.0001) de forma significativa entre os grupos. O incomodo do tratamento foi pequeno, informado por três participantes do grupo BP6. A média de duração do trabalho de parto apresentou diferença significativa nos três grupos a partir do tratamento até o nascimento do neonato (p=0.0047). A taxa de cesárea não mostrou diferença entre os grupos (p=0.2526) nem a avaliação de Apgar no primeiro e quinto minuto de vida do neonato (p=0.7218). O uso de analgésicos, anestesias e a satisfação pessoal do tratamento oferecido para um provável uso no futuro foram homogêneos entre os grupos, porém, a recordação sobre o alívio da dor durante o trabalho de parto foi maior no grupo acupressão BP6 (p=0.0018). Não houve diferença no uso de ocitocina (p=0.0521) e prostaglandina (p=0.9801), embora as participantes do grupo controle recebessem no total menos indução durante o trabalho de parto (p=0.0065). Conclusões: A acupressão no ponto BP6 se mostrou uma medida útil no alívio da dor, complementar para conduzir o trabalho de parto, encurtando este período, não invasiva e uma via de melhorar a qualidade dos cuidados à parturiente, sem ocasionar efeitos adversos para mãe ou para o neonato, entretanto, não houve diferença na taxa de cesárea neste estudo / Abstract: Purposes: To evaluate the effects of applying acupressure at the Sanyinjiao point (SP6) on pain in the first stage of labor, the use of analgesic drugs and anesthetics, the discomfort from the treatment received, delivery time in women in labor, the cesarean section rate, Apgar score at 1st and 5th minute of newborn, and personal satisfaction in using the treatment offered among groups. Method: The study design was a randomized controlled clinical trial of pragmatic character using a single-blind method to the evaluation of pain and a double-blinded for delivery time and cesarean section rate. 156 pregnant women were selected, with ? 37 weeks, cervical dilatation ? 4 cm and ? 2 contractions in 10 minutes, randomly divided into three groups in a university hospital in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The women received acupressure, placebo or received standard care (control group). All of them were guided and stimulated to perform a technique of breathing exercises and muscle relaxation. The intervention was applied at the point SP6 and pain intensity was assessed by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) before the treatment, immediately (20 minutes) and 1 hour after the treatment. Results: The average pain score of VAS was no different in the three groups at baseline (p=0.0929), but the difference was immediately made (p=<0.0001) and at 1 hour after treatment (p=<0.0001) significantly between groups. The discomfort of treatment was small, reported by three participants in the SP6 group. The average duration of labor showed significant difference among the three groups, from the treatment until the birth (p=0.0047). The cesarean section rate showed no difference between the groups (p=0.2526) or the assessment of Apgar at the first and fifth minute of the newborn's life (p=0.7218). The use of analgesics, anesthetics and personal satisfaction of treatment offered for probable future use were homogeneous between the groups, but the memory on the reduction of pain during labor was greater in the acupressure group SP6 (p =0.0018). There was no difference in the use of oxytocin (p=0.0521) and prostaglandin (p=0.9801), although the participants in the control group received total less induction during labor (p=0.0065). Conclusions: The acupressure point SP6 showed a helpful measure to relieve pain, complementary to induce labor, shortening this period, non-invasive and a way of improving the quality of care the patient received without causing adverse effects to the mother or the newborn. However, there was no difference in cesarean section rate in this study / Mestrado / Enfermagem e Trabalho / Mestre em Ciências da Saúde

Les taux de césarienne sont en constante croissance dans le monde. Ces dernières années, on assiste à une augmentation sans cesse des taux hospitaliers d’accouchement par césarienne dans les pays à faible ressource malgré les recommandations de l’Organisation mondiale de la santé de ne pas dépasser 10 à 15 %. En Afrique au sud du Sahara, en particulier au Sénégal et au Mali, des politiques de subvention de la césarienne ont été introduites à l’échelle nationale à partir de 2005. Ces mesures ont contribué à l’augmentation de l’utilisation des services de maternité et des taux de césarienne. Si l’accessibilité financière à la césarienne a été améliorée substantiellement, la qualité n’a pas toujours suivi. Or, une augmentation trop importante des taux de césarienne peut avoir des effets négatifs sur la santé maternelle et périnatale. Par exemple, l’augmentation des taux institutionnels de césarienne au dessus de 10% en Amérique latine était associée à une augmentation de la mortalité maternelle et périnatale hospitalière. Trois ans après la mise en œuvre des politiques d’exemption des césariennes, le Programme Gesta international (PGI) a été mis en œuvre pour améliorer la qualité des soins obstétricaux dans 23 hôpitaux de référence au Sénégal et au Mali. Ce programme se basait sur l’audit clinque et la formation médicale continue du personnel sur les pratiques optimales en matière de soins intrapartum. Un essai contrôlé randomisé en grappe (essai QUARITE) a été mise en œuvre en 2007-2011 pour tester l’effet du PGI sur la mortalité maternelle hospitalière au Sénégal et au Mali. Initialement prévu pour améliorer la qualité des soins intra-partum, je me suis posé la question de l’efficacité de ce programme sur la pratique et les résultats de la césarienne. Les résultats de notre étude montrent que le PGI a permis de réduire l’évolution des taux de césarienne institutionnels dans les hôpitaux du groupe d’intervention comparativement à l’évolution dans le groupe contrôle. Par ailleurs, nous avons trouvé que le PGI a été plus efficace, en terme de réduction de la mortalité maternelle, parmi les femmes césarisées que parmi celles qui ont accouché par voie vaginale. Nous avons donc recommandé que des programmes d’amélioration de la qualité des soins soient mis en œuvre pour accompagner les politiques de subvention en cours dans la plupart des pays en Afrique au sud du Sahara et limiter ainsi l’utilisation excessive des césariennes dans ces pays. / Cesarean rates are rising steadily worldwide. In recent years, there has been an increasing cesarean rates in low-resource countries despite the World Health Organization recommended to not exceed 10-15%. In Senegal and Mali free cesarean policies were implemented nationally since 2005 and have contributed to increase the access to cesarean section. Access to cesarean deliveries has been improved substantially but quality of care has not always followed. However, excessive increase in cesarean section rates can have negative impacts on maternal and perinatal health. In Latin America, Asia, and Africa, several studies have shown an intrinsic risk of maternal and neonatal mortality associated with cesareans regardless of the initial health status of the mother or fetus. For example, the increase in hospital-based cesarean rates above 10% in Latin America was associated with an increase risk of maternal and perinatal mortality.Three years after the implementation of cesarean sections free policies, The Advances in Labour and Risk Management (ALARM) international program was implemented to improve the quality of obstetric care in 23 referral hospitals in Senegal and Mali. This program was based on maternal death review and staff training on best practices for intrapartum care. A randomized controlled cluster trial (QUARITE trial) was implemented in 2007-2011 to assess the effectiveness of the ALARM international program on in-hospital maternal mortality in Senegal and Mali. Initially planned to improve quality of Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (EmONC), we assumed that this program was also effective on the quality of cesarean delivery.Results showed that the ALARM international program slowed down the trends of hospital-based cesarean rates in the 23 participating centers of the intervention group compared to the changes observed in the control group. Furthermore, we found that the program was more effective on maternal mortality among women who delivered by cesarean section than among women who delivered vaginally. We recommend that quality improvement strategies should support free cesarean policies to limit the excessive use of cesarean delivery.

Background: Cesarean delivery rates have been increasing since 1996, and Cesarean delivery is now the most common major operative procedure performed in the United States. Identifying risk factors for wound complications following Cesarean delivery is necessary to prevent unnecessary maternal morbidity. Methods: A case-control study was carried out and data was collected via a medical record review for patients undergoing a Cesarean delivery at the UIHC between 10/1/2011 and 12/31/2012. Results: Several modifiable risk factors were identified, and models based on patient and surgical factors performed better than the current standard NHSN risk index model. Conclusion: More robust prediction models can be created using patient and surgical factors.

Bakgrund: Kejsarsnitt är ett ingrepp som blir allt vanligare världen över vilket resulterar till att fler kvinnor drabbas av komplikationer. I takt med att kejsarsnitt blivit säkrare har vårdtiden för kvinnorna blivit kortare, vilket gör att det uppstår en osäkerhet och rädsla kring komplikationer efter utskrivning för dessa kvinnor. Syfte: Syftet var att belysa kvinnors upplevelse kring komplikationer vid panerat kejsarsnitt efter utskrivning. Metod: Studien är en litteraturstudie med induktiv ansats där sju kvalitativa resultatartiklar ligger till grund för resultatet. Resultat: Utefter syftet identifierades fyra teman: att leva med långvarig smärta orsakad av genomgånget planerat kejsarsnitt, upplevelse av information, upplevelse av postnatal infektion samt skam och ångest kring planerat kejsarsnitt. Kvinnor upplever sin egen kunskap otillräcklig för att identifiera komplikationer samt vart kvinnan skall vända sig när komplikationer uppstår. Informationen som kvinnan får postoperativt kring infektion och smärtans utveckling vid planerat kejsarsnitt efter utskrivning, ansåg kvinnan bristfällig med avsaknad av personcentrerat förhållningssätt. Kvinnor upplever även en stigmatisering kring planerat kejsarsnitt från hälso- och sjukvårdspersonal samt samhället. Konklusion: Hälso- och sjukvården behöver få en större förståelse för kvinnans upplevelse kring komplikationer vid planerat kejsarsnitt efter utskrivning samt förbättra vården med ett personcentrerat förhållningssätt i form av stöd och information. / Background: Cesarean section is a procedure that is becoming more common around the world, which means that more women are suffering from complications. As the operation has become safer, the care time for the women has become shorter, which indicates that there is an uncertainty about complications after discharge. Aim: The aim was to illustrate women's experience of complications during elective cesarean section after discharge. Method: The study is a literature study with an inductive approach where seven qualitative articles formed the result. Result: According to the purpose, four themes were identified: living with long-term pain caused by elective cesarean section, experience of information, experience of postnatal infection and shame and anxiety around a planned cesarean section. Women experience insufficient knowledge to identify complications and where the woman should turn once it occurs. Postoperative information is not designed to be easily absorbed, as well as a stigma surrounding the woman's elective cesarean section in meetings with health and medical profession and society. Conclusion: The health care needs to gain a greater understanding of the woman's experience of complications after elective caesarean section at discharge and improve care with a person-centered approach in the form of support and information.

Hintergrund: Die Bedeutung der intra- und postpartalen Betreuungserfahrung für die psychische und physische Gesundheit von Mutter und Kind ist weitgehend anerkannt. Aktuelle Daten aus größeren Untersuchungen im deutschen klinischen Kontext liegen nicht vor. Die Evidenzen zur Betreuungszufriedenheit in Abhängigkeit vom Geburtsmodus sind uneinheitlich, der Einfluss einzelner Betreuungsdimensionen auf die Gesamtzufriedenheit ist speziell im Bereich der postpartalen Versorgung wenig untersucht. Ziel: Ermittlung der Dimensionen der intra- und postpartalen Betreuungserfahrungen in deutschen Kliniken, Analyse des Einflusses des Geburtsmodus auf diese Dimensionen sowie Prüfung des Einflusses der Dimensionen auf die Betreuungszufriedenheit insgesamt. Methode: Analyse der Daten aus 235 postalischen Befragungen in 129 geburtshilflichen Abteilungen, durchgeführt vom Picker Institut Deutschland gGmbH zwischen 2002 und 2009. Teilnehmerinnen: 16.315 Wöchnerinnen, die ihr Kind nach der vollendeten 37. Schwangerschaftswoche in einem deutschen Krankenhaus zur Welt gebracht haben. Ergebnisse: Ermittelt wurden 9 Dimensionen, die die intra- und postpartale Betreuung, die postpartale Schmerzlinderung sowie Hotelaspekte der Versorgung im Krankenhaus abbilden. Generell zeigte sich eine hohe Zufriedenheit, jedoch wird die postpartale Betreuung kritischer beurteilt als die intrapartale Betreuung. Es zeigte sich eine unterschiedliche Betreuungszufriedenheit bei Frauen mit geplanter und ungeplanter Sectio, mit einer Tendenz zu höherer Unzufriedenheit bei letzteren. Im Vergleich zu Frauen mit vaginaler Geburt sind Frauen mit geplantem Kaiserschnitt mit der ärztlichen Betreuung zufriedener (OR 0,7, 99% KI 0,6 - 0,9), Frauen mit ungeplantem Kaiserschnitt mit der Hebammenbetreuung unzufriedener (OR 1,5, 99% KI 1,3 - 1,9) und Frauen sowohl mit geplanter als auch ungeplanter Sectio mit der postpartalen Schmerzlinderung unzufriedener (OR 1,8, 99% KI 1,5 - 2,1 bzw. OR 1,8, 99% KI 1,6 - 2,0). Die Dimension Betreuung auf der Wochenbettstation weist den mit Abstand stärksten Einfluss auf die Zufriedenheit mit der klinischen Betreuung insgesamt auf. Darüber hinaus sind es vor allem die Dimensionen mit Fokus auf der Interaktion mit den betreuenden Fachkräften, die maßgeblich die Gesamtzufriedenheit beeinflussen. Der subjektive Gesundheitszustand, die Zuversicht, mit dem Kind zuhause zurecht zu kommen, und die Verweildauer erwiesen sich als weitere wichtige Prädiktoren der Zufriedenheit mit den Betreuungsdimensionen und der Gesamtzufriedenheit. Schlussfolgerung: Die maßgebliche Bedeutung der interpersonellen Betreuungsaspekte sowie die kritischere Beurteilung der postpartalen Betreuung im Vergleich zur intrapartalen bestätigen sich auch für den deutschen klinischen Kontext. Der Geburtsmodus scheint insbesondere für die Zufriedenheit mit der intrapartalen Betreuung sowie der postpartalen Schmerzlinderung eine Rolle zu spielen. Die größere Unzufriedenheit mit der postpartalen Schmerzlinderung bei Kaiserschnittgeburt deutet auf die Notwendigkeit eines effektiveren Schmerzmanagements hin. Vor dem Hintergrund der negativen Auswirkungen starker Schmerzen auf den Aufbau der Mutter-Kind-Beziehung sollte die Entscheidung zum geplanten Kaiserschnitt ebenso wie der Einsatz von Interventionen, die einen ungeplanten Kaiserschnitt begünstigen, sehr sorgfältig abgewogen werden. Den konstituierenden Dimensionen und Einflussfaktoren der postpartalen Betreuungszufriedenheit sollte mehr Aufmerksamkeit gewidmet werden, insbesondere mit Blick auf effektive Betreuungskonzepte und eine systematische Verzahnung mit der ambulanten Betreuung.

OBJECTIVES: The effect of body mass index (BMI) was assessed on unplanned cesarean section (CS) rate and its indications among healthy, nulliparous women without other risk factors for CS. METHOD: A cross sectional study was performed on 1649 healthy, nulliparous women at term who were admitted in spontaneous labor and delivered at Boston Medical Center between Jan 1st 2008 and Dec 31st 2012. The demographics and outcomes were compared by using a logistic regression analyses. RESULT: There were no statistically significant differences in unplanned CS rates between the three BMI groups (19% in normal weight, 24% in overweight, and 21% in obese women, p=0.1). Compared with normal weight women the crude odds ratio for overweight women was 1.34 (95%CI 1.03-1.76) and for obese women 1.04 (95%CI 0.84-1.54). A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to adjust for maternal age, birth weight, race and augmentation of labor. The adjusted ORs were 1.073 (95%CI 0.781-1.473) for obese and 1.291 (95%CI 0.978-1.705) for overweight women. Obese women had a higher rate of CS for non-reassuring fetal status (56%, p= 0.01) compared to overweight (46.5%) and normal weight women (37%). CONCLUSION: high maternal BMI per se does not appear to be an independent risk factor for unplanned CS in healthy nulliparous women presenting at term with a singleton pregnancy in spontaneous labor.