Abstract
Objective The objective of the present study was to explore obstetric management in relation
to clinical, maternal and child health outcomes by using the Robson classification
system.
Methods Data was collected from obstetrics registries in tertiary care hospitals in Dubai,
United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Results The analysis of > 5,400 deliveries (60% of all the deliveries in 2016) in major maternity
hospitals in Dubai showed that groups 5, 8 and 9 of Robson’s classification were the
largest contributors to the overall cesarean section (CS) rate and accounted for 30%
of the total CS rate. The results indicate that labor was spontaneous in 2,221 (45%)
of the women and was augmented or induced in almost 1,634 cases (33%). The birth indication
rate was of 64% for normal vaginal delivery, of 24% for emergency CS, and of 9% for
elective CS. The rate of vaginal birth after cesarean was 261 (6%), the rate of external
cephalic version was 28 (0.7%), and the rate of induction was 1,168 (21.4%). The prevalence
of the overall Cesarean section was 33%; with majority (53.5%) of it being repeated
Cesarean section.
Conclusion The CS rate in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is higher than the global average rate
and than the average rate in Asia, which highlights the need for more education of
pregnant women and of their physicians in order to promote vaginal birth. A proper
planning is needed to reduce the number of CSs in nulliparous women in order to prevent
repeated CSs in the future. Monitoring both CS rates and outcomes is essential to
ensure that policies, practices, and actions for the optimization of the utilization
of CS lead to improved maternal and infant outcomes.
Keywords obstetrical interventions - cesarean section rate - robson classification - united
arab emirates - women
