A 10 year comparative study of caesarean deliveries using the Robson 10 group classification system in a university hospital in Austria.

Abstract

ObjectiveThe Robson ten group classification system is used as a global standard for assessing, monitoring and comparing caesarean delivery (CD) rates within and between maternity services. Our objective was to compare the changes of CD rates at our institution between the years 2008-2010 and 2017-2019 using the Robson ten group classification system.Study designData was collected retrospectively and all women were classified using the obstetric concepts and parameters described in the Robson ten group classification system.ResultsDuring 2008-2010 7,832 deliveries were performed, increasing to 9,490 in 2017-2019. The CD rate also increased from 29.1% to 32.2% (pConclusionThe biggest contributors to the CD rate in our hospital remain multiparous women at term with a previous CD. The CD rates, as well as the overall size of this group, keep rising, resulting in a need to establish more effective ways to motivate women with one previous CD towards vaginal birth after caesarean delivery (VBAC). Furthermore, the CD rate in preterm deliveries is increasing and approaching 50%. This illustrates the need to discuss whether CD is the appropriate mode of delivery in half of the preterm infants.