Comparative study of maternal and neonatal outcome of 1st stage and 2nd stage caesarean sections in a tertiary centre.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51168/ypd6e208Keywords:
caesarean section, first stage of labour, second stage of labour, maternal outcome, neonatal outcomeAbstract
Introduction
Caesarean delivery during the second stage of labour is technically more difficult because of deep fetal head engagement and prolonged labour, potentially increasing maternal and neonatal morbidity.
Materials and Methods
This hospital-based retrospective observational study included 120 women undergoing intrapartum caesarean section at a tertiary care centre, with 60 first-stage and 60 second-stage procedures. Demographic, obstetric, operative, maternal, and neonatal outcomes were extracted from hospital records. Group comparisons used independent-samples t-tests for continuous variables and chi-square tests for categorical variables, with p<0.05 considered significant.
Results
Maternal age was comparable between first-stage and second-stage groups (25.87 ± 3.42 vs. 26.43 ± 3.71 years; p=0.387). Second-stage caesarean sections were associated with longer labour (10.64 ± 2.87 vs. 7.82 ± 2.31 hours; p<0.001) and longer second-stage duration (89.27 ± 31.54 vs. 36.42 ± 18.61 minutes; p<0.001). Uterine incision extension (21.7% vs. 5.0%; p=0.008), difficult fetal head delivery (30.0% vs. 3.3%; p<0.001), and atonic postpartum haemorrhage (18.3% vs. 6.7%; p=0.044) were more frequent in the second-stage group. Operative duration (61.82 ± 14.71 vs. 48.63 ± 10.24 minutes; p<0.001) and estimated blood loss (781.83 ± 211.46 vs. 612.50 ± 143.72 mL; p<0.001) were also greater. Mean 1-minute and 5-minute Apgar scores were lower (6.93 ± 1.12 vs. 7.52 ± 0.86; p=0.002 and 8.19 ± 0.91 vs. 8.71 ± 0.62; p<0.001), while neonatal resuscitation (25.0% vs. 8.3%; p=0.013) and NICU admission (26.7% vs. 10.0%; p=0.017) were higher after second-stage caesarean section.
Conclusion
Second-stage caesarean section was associated with greater maternal operative morbidity and less favourable early neonatal outcomes than first-stage caesarean section.
Recommendations
Timely intrapartum decision-making and preparedness for difficult fetal extraction, haemorrhage, and neonatal resuscitation are essential when second-stage caesarean delivery is anticipated.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Dr. Swetha K. M., Dr. Sonia H, Dr. Keerti Shivaputrappa (Author)

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