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Am J Perinatol 2024; 41(03): 276-281
DOI: 10.1055/a-1673-5455
Original Article

The Rate of Intrapartum Cesarean Delivery Based on Estimated Fetal Weight in Comparison to Previous Child's Birth Weight

Tetsuya Kawakita 
1   Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia
,
Shobha Sridhar
2   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC
,
Neggin Mokhtari 
2   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC
,
Helain J. Landy
3   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC
› Author Affiliations Funding None.
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Abstract

Objective The aim of the study is to examine whether an estimated fetal weight of the current pregnancy greater than previous birth weight is associated with increased odds of intrapartum cesarean delivery.

Study Design We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all women who had more than one singleton pregnancy at 23 weeks' gestation or greater at a single labor and delivery unit. We only analyzed the second pregnancy in the dataset. We excluded women who had preterm birth in the second pregnancy. Women were categorized according to the difference between estimated fetal weight and previous birth weight—estimated fetal weight close to previous birth weight within 500 g (similar weight group); estimated fetal weight significantly (more than 500 g) greater than previous birth weight (larger weight group); and estimated fetal weight significantly (more than 500 g) lower than previous birth weight (smaller weight group). The primary outcome was intrapartum cesarean delivery. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to calculate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence interval (95% confidence interval [CI]) after adjusting for predefined covariates.

Results Of 1,887 women, there were 1,415 (75%) in the similar weight group, 384 (20%) in the greater weight group, and 88 (5%) in the smaller weight group. Individuals in the larger weight group compared with those in the similar weight group had higher odds of undergoing intrapartum cesarean delivery (11.2 vs. 4.5%; aOR 2.91; 95% CI 1.91–4.45). The odds of intrapartum cesarean delivery in the smaller weight group compared with those in the similar weight group were not increased (3.4 vs. 4.5%; crude OR 0.75; 95%CI 0.23–2.42).

Conclusion The difference between current estimated fetal weight and previous birth weight plays an important role in assessing the risk of intrapartum cesarean delivery.

Key Points

  • Estimated fetal weight compared with previous birth weight is an important factor.

  • Cesarean delivery is infrequent if estimated fetal weight is similar to previous birth weight.

  • Larger estimated fetal weight greater than the previous birth weight is associated with cesarean delivery.

Keywords

estimated fetal weight - intrapartum cesarean delivery - previous birth weight - proven pelvis


Publication History

Received: 29 May 2021

Accepted: 05 October 2021

Accepted Manuscript online:
19 October 2021

Article published online:
02 December 2021

© 2021. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Thieme Medical Publishers
333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

 

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