Cesarean Audit for fetal distress- A indispensable tool to reduce Obstetrician Distress

Background and Objectives: Overuse of cesarean section and its implications are of growing concern. Suspected fetal distress has been the commonest indication for cesarean in last few decades heart rate changes shown by fetus without being adversely affected and CTG has been criticized to create unnecessary higher rate of operative deliveries. There is need to know which fetal heart rate abnormality is important and leading to two adverse neonatal outcome to decrease unnecessary operative deliveries. Therefore Caesarean Audit was planned. Material and methods: A total of hundred women were included who underwent emergency cesarean section for suspected fetal distress in labour or without labour detected by cardiotocography or intermittent auscultation were included for analysis. Details were noted in pre designated proforma. Results: During the audit period, total number of caesarean done due to fetal distress analysed during the period were 100.The most common fetal heart rate abnormality was nonspecific in form of single or transient deceleration seen in 63% of cases where records were also incomplete, it was followed by persistent deceleration on cardiotocography which was present in 16% of the cases. In 57 women who were primigravida 14 (24%) patients had nonspecific fetal heart rate patterns and intra operative findings were normal in this group. These were avoidable cesareans. Various Intraoperative findings, observed ,maximum no. of cases had meconium stained liquor seen in 63% of the cases followed by abruption in 9 cases followed by other findings like loop of cord around the neck of foetus, thin scar or scar dehiscence . Maternal resuscitation was carried out only in 53% of cases. Detection delivery interval of less than 30 minutes was present in 4% of cases. In fetal outcomes 16% of babies diagnosed with fetal distress, had poor outcome where Apgar score < 7 and 12 babies had asphyxia related NICU admission. 82% of babies had absolutely normal fetal outcome among which majority (78%) did not require any form resuscitation. which were thus avoidable cases. Conclusions: Correct Knowledge about Standardized fetal heart rate interpretations on CTG and there standardized management protocols like Maternal resuscitative measures ,follow up to ensure fast detection delivery interval should be practiced strictly in all cases of non reassuring Fetal Heart rate patterns. There should be consistent efforts in reducing the rate of cesarean sections particularly primary cesarean deliveries and in order to understand the degree to which cesarean delivery is preventable it is important to know no why cesareans are being performed. Therefore caesarean audit is need of the hour