Objective
To assess perceptions of women undergoing vacuum extraction or second-stage caesarean section (SSCS) in a tertiary referral hospital in sub-Saharan Africa.
Methods
Prospective cohort study, with six-month follow-up, of women who gave birth to a term singleton in cephalic presentation by vacuum extraction (n = 289) or SSCS (n = 357) between 25 November 2014, to 8 July 2015, in Mulago Hospital, Uganda. Excluded were women who had failed vacuum extraction, severe birth complications and those whose babies had died. Outcome measures were birthing experience satisfaction, physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) of the SF-12 quality-of-life questionnaire, pain scores and dyspareunia.
Results
One day after vacuum extraction, 63.7% (181/284) of women were feeling well vs. 48.1% (167/347) after SSCS (OR 1.89; 95%CI 1.37-2.61) and mean pain sores were 2.70 vs. 3.87 (P < 0.001). In both groups, >90% of women were satisfied with their birthing experience. At six weeks, in vacuum extraction vs. SSCS, mean pain sores were 0.40 vs. 0.89 (P < 0.001); mean PCS was 48.67 vs. 44.03 (P < 0.001); mean MCS was 52.80 vs. 51.23 (P = 0.203); 40% (70/175) vs. 28.3% (70/247) of women had resumed sexual intercourse (OR 1.69; 95%CI 1.12-2.54) and 21.4% (15/70) vs. 28.6% (20/70) had dyspareunia (OR 0.68; 95%CI 0.32-1.47). No differences were found at six months after birth.
Conclusion
One day and six weeks after birth, outcomes were better in women who had vacuum extraction. At six months, outcomes were similar. To promote quick recovery, vacuum extraction should be the first intervention considered in the second stage of labour.
© 2018 The Authors. Tropical Medicine & International Health Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Overview publication
Title | Birthing experience and quality of life after vacuum delivery and second-stage caesarean section: a prospective cohort study in Uganda. |
Date | August 1st, 2018 |
Issue name | Tropical medicine & international health : TM & IH |
Issue number | v23.8:914-922 |
DOI | 10.1111/tmi.13089 |
PubMed | 29873887 |
Authors | |
Keywords | birthing experience, caesarean section, césarienne, douleur, dyspareunia, dyspareunie, expérience de l'accouchement, extraction sous vide, pain, quality of life, qualité de vie, vacuum extraction |
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