Maternal Characteristics as Risk Factor of Abnormal Blood Loss among Women Enduring Repeat Cesarean Delivery

To evaluate maternal characteristics that may be predictive of abnormal blood-loss among women undergoing repeat cesarean delivery. The retrospective case controlled study consisted of case notes of women with cesarean deliveries (December-January 2009). After exclusion of women without a prior cesarean delivery, only 104 were used for analysis. The researchers assessed the relationship of abnormal blood-loss and key characteristics that included: Age, parity, type of cesarean delivery, booking status, cadre of attending staff, abdominal scar, type of anesthesia, gestational age and length of hospital stay. Continuous data were analyzed using the student t-test and categorical data were analyzed using the χ2-test. The independent association between the exposures and outcome of interest was assessed with multivariable logistic regression. As compared to mothers with parity of less than four, mothers with a higher parity and abnormal blood loss were 8 times more likely to experience abnormal blood-loss (Adjusted OR = 8.1, 95% CI: 1.2-53.5). Diffrence in risk was also observed between length of hospital stay and blood-loss status. No difference in risk was observed between the any of the other maternal characteristics and abnormal blood-loss. Cesarean deliveries in developing settings carry a greater risk compared to those performed in developed locations, especially among women enduring a repeat cesarean delivery. The risk of abnormal blood-loss among women in the study with parity of greater than four was substantially high. There is need for additional research to understand the association between high parity and abnormal blood-loss in developing settings.