Increased postpartum maternal complications after cesarean section compared with vaginal delivery in 225 304 Taiwanese women.

Objective: To compare the short-term maternal postpartum complications associated with cesarean section (CS), vaginal delivery (VD), repeated CS and vaginal birth after cesarean section (VBAC) in a large national sample.

Methods: This was a population-based study of the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD). Outcomes include post-discharge (2 weeks) urinary tract infection (p-UTI), complications of obstetrical surgical wounds (p-wound) and postpartum hemorrhage (p-hemorrhage). A logistic regression model with generalized estimating equations were utilized, and adjustments were made for maternal and hospital characteristics.

Results: The incidence of p-UTI was 0.79%. CS was associated with a significantly higher risk of p-UTI compared with VD (odds ratio [OR] 1.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.003-1.29). The incidence of p-wound was 4.07%. CS and repeated CS were associated with a higher risk of p-wound compared with VD (OR 1.68; 95% CI, 1.28-2.21 and OR 1.64; 95% CI, 1.22-2.20, respectively). Age, maternal diseases and hospital and obstetrician volumes were associated with patient outcomes.

Conclusions: Women with a delivery mode of CS have a higher risk of p-UTI and p-wound than women with VD. Maternal characteristics and hospital and obstetrician volumes may also influence postpartum outcomes.