Report: Having a Caesarean section slightly increases risk of stillbirth in next pregnancy

Researchers from UCC, in collaboration with Aarhus University in Denmark, have found that the risk of a stillbirth increases by 14% in the next pregnancy after a Caesarean section.

The researchers obtained data for over 800,000 women from Danish national registers in relation to their first live birth and checked if they had a Caesarean section.

They then monitored the women until they had a stillbirth, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy or a second live birth.

While the risks of stillbirth were increased in the women’s next pregnancy, compared to women who had a vaginal delivery, the researchers say that overall risk remains small.

The chances of having a stillbirth after a Caesarean section are one in 3333.

Professor Louise Kenny of UCC said: “The findings of the current study are particularly important for expectant mothers as well as healthcare professionals as Caesarean section rates are increasing significantly worldwide. Whilst we showed that a previous Caesarean section is associated with a subsequent stillbirth and ectopic pregnancy, the overall risk of either is very low.

“Furthermore, the findings will better inform women of the benefits and risks associated with all modes of delivery… while the hazard rate is small, women ‘electing’ Caesarean section without any medical necessity should consider all options thoroughly.”

The study found that compared to vaginal delivery, having a Caesarean section increased the risk of a subsequent ectopic pregnancy by 9% but did not increase the rate of subsequent miscarriages.

The results were published in the PLOS medicine journal.