Complications

Complication
Timeframe
Likelihood
short term
low

Compared with cephalic presentation, persistent breech presentation has increased frequency of cord prolapse, abruptio placentae, pre-labour rupture of membranes, perinatal mortality, fetal distress (heart rate <100 bpm), preterm delivery, lower fetal weight.[10][11][69]

Overview of pregnancy complications

short term
low

There is a small increase in the risk of serious immediate maternal complications compared with vaginal birth (RR 1.29, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.61), including pulmonary embolism, infection, bleeding, damage to the bladder and bowel, slower recovery from the delivery, longer hospitalisation, and delayed bonding and breastfeeding.[23][30][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59]

The long-term risks include potential compromise of future obstetric performance, increased risk of repeat caesarean section, infertility, uterine rupture, placenta accreta, placental abruption, and emergency hysterectomy.[60][61][62][63] The evidence suggests that using sutures, rather than staples, for wound closure after caesarean section reduces the incidence of wound dehiscence.[82]

Emergency caesarean section, compared with planned caesarean section, has demonstrated a higher risk of severe obstetric morbidity, intra-operative complications, postoperative complications, infection, blood loss >1500 mL, fever, pain, tiredness, and breastfeeding problems.[23][48][50][72][83]

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