The effect of anti-pandemic measures on some aspects of obstetric care in a single obstetric unit in the Slovak Republic

Abstract

Objectives: In many countries, various anti-pandemic interventions were adopted in 2020, which also affected obstetric practices. The aim of this study is to determine their effect on the frequency of caesarean section (CS) according to Robson classification (RC).Material and methods: Deliveries in 2019 and 2020 were retrospectively analysed. Mothers were grouped according to RC, and the frequency of CR in the different groups were compared. Results:We found a statistically significant increase in the frequency of CR in the pandemic year (20.0% vs 17.8%, p = 0.0242). When classified into RC groups, the increase in the different groups lost statistical significance. Nevertheless, the increase was most important in Robson group 5 due to maternal rejection of vaginal delivery after CR and in Robson group 2b with elective CR. In spite of our expectations, the frequency of caesarean section performed due to indication of protracted labour was not increased.Conclusions: Interventions that were implemented during the first and second waves of the pandemic were associated with increased frequency of planned caesarean sections.