C-section may complicate next pregnancies

Cesarean delivery performed in a first pregnancy appears to increase the risk of complications in later pregnancies, researchers have shown.

The findings stem from an analysis of Norway registry data for 637,497 first and second births in women with at least two single births and 242,812 first, second, and third births in women with at least three single births.

Compared to a vaginal first birth, a cesarean delivery at first birth approximately doubled the risk in a second pregnancy of a woman developing pre-eclampsia, placenta abnormalities, and having a small baby, according to a report in the June issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

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Episiotomy raises tear risk in next delivery

Episiotomy, an incision of the perineum intended to prevent tearing during the delivery of baby, may cause problems when a woman has another baby, a new study shows.

Researchers found that women who undergo episiotomy during their first vaginal delivery have an increased likelihood of suffering a tear, or laceration, in subsequent deliveries.

"In the past, episiotomy was thought to be an innocuous procedure and possibly even protective against severe perineal lacerations," Dr. Marianna Alperin told Reuters Health. "It has since been clearly shown that episiotomy increases the risk of severe obstetrical lacerations in that delivery."

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