Researchers warn of Caesarean risks

Researchers from the US and Sweden have warned of increased risks to a woman’s uterus following a Caesarean section.

The study, published in the International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (BJOG), found that women who have had a Caesarean could see a 50 times greater risk of uterus rupture in a subsequent vaginal delivery.

BBC News reports that the study found the rate of uterus rupture among women who had already has a Caesarean to be nine in every 1,000.

This compared to just 0.18 per 1,000 of women suffering from a uterus rupture who had not had a Caesarean.

Professor Philip Steer, BJOG editor-in-chief highlighted how Caesareans were increasing around throughout the developed world.

“The rate of Caesarean deliveries continues to increase in the developed world which means that a growing percentage of women will experience birth following a previous Caesarean section.”

He emphasised that uterus ruptures were still a very rare condition but can carry a risk for both mother and baby.

According to Reuters, the findings were based on a study of nearly 40,000 women who all had a prior Caesarean delivery and were evaluated over four years at 19 centres.