The rising prevalence of CS is largely driven by sociocultural and economic factors, alongside the perception that CS is a safe and convenient alternative to vaginal birth.
Poland: Cesarean section (CS) is a surgical procedure in obstetrics involving incisions through the abdominal wall and uterus to deliver a baby. Globally, its prevalence has been steadily increasing. Historically reserved for life-threatening situations, CS is now common due to advances in surgical techniques and anesthesia.
While the immediate outcomes of CS are well-documented, its long-term effects—particularly on maternal health—remain less understood. A key area of concern is how a previous CS influences gestational body mass gain (GBMG), physical activity (PA), and the likelihood of repeat cesarean delivery in subsequent pregnancies.
Methods of The Study
This prospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the association of previous CS with GBMG, PA levels, and repeat cesarean delivery among multiparous women. The study enrolled 109 Caucasian women at a tertiary care hospital in northern Poland, who met the following criteria: age ≥18 years and entry into the third trimester (after the 28th week of gestation). Participants were recruited from antenatal outpatient clinics and divided into two groups: women with a history of CS and those who had vaginal delivery.
Data collection occurred in two phases. In the first phase, socio-demographic information was obtained, and participants completed the Polish version of the Get Active Questionnaire for Pregnancy. In the second phase, biomedical data routinely collected at childbirth were analyzed.
Women with a Previous CS Likely to Undergo Another
The study found that women with a previous CS had a significantly higher likelihood of excessive GBMG and were more likely to undergo another cesarean delivery in subsequent pregnancies. However, no significant differences were observed between groups regarding insufficient GBMG or PA levels before and during pregnancy.
The rising prevalence of CS is largely driven by sociocultural and economic factors, alongside the perception that CS is a safe and convenient alternative to vaginal birth. Advances in surgical care have reinforced this view, despite persistent short- and long-term risks to both mother and child.
Importance of Monitoring GBMG and Promoting Healthy Lifestyle
These findings suggest that a history of CS is associated with increased risk of excessive GBMG and repeat cesarean delivery but does not appear to directly impact PA during pregnancy. This highlights the importance of monitoring GBMG and promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors in women with prior CS to optimize maternal and neonatal outcomes.
Previous research has primarily focused on short-term clinical outcomes, such as perioperative complications, neonatal health, and postpartum recovery, with limited attention to long-term maternal health behaviors. Future research is needed to explore the long-term effects of CS on maternal health and its influence on subsequent pregnancies.