Ultrasound during the second stage of labour: is it effective to reduce the caesarean section rates? - Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia

Ultrasound during the second stage of labour: is it effective to reduce the caesarean section rates? |

The caesarean section is now the most frequent surgery performed on women at the reproductive age. It is known that caesarean section is associated with risks for the mother and baby, not only in the current pregnancy but also for future pregnancies. Taking into account these consequences and the rising trend of performing caesarean sections globally, strategies and recommendations have been formulated in some countries to decrease the need of a first caesarean section.

This kind of surgery in the second stage of labor has been shown to be a contributing factor to the rise of caesarean section rates overall. In the second stage of labor, a vaginal delivery depends on a variety of factors. It is essential the assessment of the relation of the fetal head to structures of the maternal pelvis and the ability to predict a successful outcome, especially when an operative vaginal delivery is contemplated. We know that an ordinary clinical examination is subjective and not accurate; therefore, this subjectivity can lead to an incorrect decision about the mode of delivery. Furthermore, there is a rising trend in caesarean section at full dilatation, which may be due to insecurity on the clinical examination findings and a lack of confidence in achieving a vaginal delivery outcome ^- .

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