Caesarean section (CS) is a surgical procedure used commonly to reduce maternal and neonatal morbidity. However, CS rate without medical indications can expose mothers and newborns to unnecessary risks [1] . According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an appropriate CS rate should be between 5 and 15% [2] . CS rate is increasing steadily in many countries [2] . In several countries, CS rate reaches 30% or more: 31.1% in the United States of America in 2006 [3] , more than 30% in many European countries and 30.5% in Singapore in 2003 [4] . In Senegal, a Sub-Saharan low-income country, the national CS rate in 2014 was 4.4% with huge disparities between facilities: from 0.1% in remote areas to 50.2% in the capital [5] . However, an analysis needs to be done to identify the sources of what appears to be, on one hand, an inadequate access to CS and, on the other hand, an unnecessary indication of CS. According to Robson’s Ten Group classification system, one of the steps of maintaining an appropriate CS rate is an assessment of obstetrical management [6] . Many studies showed the major contribution of Group 5 (previous caesarean section, singleton, cephalic, after 37 weeks’ gestation) in the increase of CS rate [4] [7] [8] .

We have carried out this study to identify the key factors leading to CS and find the means and ways to avoid unnecessary primary CS.

This longitudinal and retrospective study is taking into account the period between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2016 in a level 2 perinatal care facility in Dakar the capital of Senegal.

It is based on all primary CS patients. Consequently, a previous uterine scar was a non-inclusion criterion.

In fact, medical data were recorded retrospectively between January the 1^st 2012 and December 31^th 2015. After this date, data are recorded on a daily basis using Filemaker 15 software. Since 2015, an audit is carried out day by day to analyse, a posteriori, CS indications.

Multiparous are patients who gave birth once at least.

Then, women were classified through Robson’s Ten Group Classification as it appears in Table 1 [9] enabling us to assess the contribution of each group in primary caesarean sections. Besides, we have classified indications of CS according to a group of main indications which are the following: obstructed or prolonged labour, suspected fetal distress, breech presentation, twin delivery, antepartum haemorrhage, high blood pressure associated to pregnancy and others.

Obstructed labour is a mechanical obstruction resulting from fetopelvic disproportion. Prolonged labour is due to dynamic labour disorders with inadequate uterine contractions [10] . The diagnosis was made in two main forms: a stationary cervical dilation for 2 hours after 4 cm or a latent phase that lasts more than 12 hours for primiparous and 8 hours for multiparous.

Regarding Fetal distress, it is suspected when an abnormal fetal heart rate occurred at intermittent auscultation (less than 110 or more than 160 pulses per minute) associated to meconium in amniotic fluid.

Antepartum haemorrhage involved placental abruption and placenta praevia.

Impact of induction of labour was also assessed. Induction of labour is a method of artificial initiation of labour [11] . We used an E2 prostaglandin analogue. Oral or vaginal route were used with 25 μg per 6 hours. A maximum of 4 doses was given.

New-born characteristics were analysed using mainly Apgar score.

Data were analysed with the help of SPSS 21 software, Mac version. We resorted to the calculation of the Average for quantitative data whereas the qualitative ones were expressed in percentages. Pearson Chi2 test or Fisher exact test were used accordingly. The differences observed were seen as significant when the p value was less than 0.05.

During the study period, we have registered 21.308 deliveries and 6.292 caesarean sections (29.5%). Women with unscarred uterus represented 18.933 and a primary CS was performed on 4.564 which is equal to 72.5% of overall CS.

The final sample representing patients with unscarred uterus and undergoing CS was 4.564 patients. With regard to the age of patients, the average was 27.2 years (from 13 to 47 years old). Multiparous represented nearly half of the sample (49.7%).

Robson groups 1 and 3, respectively 35.9% and 28.8%, were the most represented among patients who have experienced primary caesarean.

Table 2 represents the contribution of each of Robson’s Ten Groups to primary CS.

The most common indication of CS appears to be foetal distress (29.1%). However, only 6.6% of these new-borns had an Apgar score less than 7 at the 5^th minute.

Table 3, representing the trends of deliveries during the 5 years, has revealed a

*CS = caesarean section.

*Labour abnormalities: fetal distress, premature rupture of membranes, high blood pressure and their complications, twin delivery, other presentation than vertex.

crescent number of deliveries and a variable CS rate. The lowest CS rate was achieved in 2016 (19.2%) and the highest one was registered in 2012. The lowest rate of obstructed labour and prolonged labour was registered in 2016 (4.7%) and the highest rate in 2012 (Table 4).

Senior residents performed regularly an obstetrical audit during year 2016, at least 5 days a week.

The rate of Apgar score below 7 ranged between 0.7% and 2.6%. The lowest rate was obtained in 2013.

Breech presentation of the first twin was the main indication of CS in twin delivery.

CS rate was variable through the 5 years. In 2013 we observed 38.5% of caesarean in twin delivery with 0.5% of Apgar score below 7. In 2015 we noticed the highest CS rate (51.3%) and the highest Apgar score below 7 (4.3%). The Apgar score was not related to the CS rate. A lower neonatal morbidity was registered when the CS rate was ranged between 38.5% and 46.5% (Figure 1).

Others indications included preterm delivery, umbilical cord dystocia, malpresentation of fetus, foetal abnormalities, elective CS, triple gestation, mother abnormalities.

In breech presentation, the lowest rate of Apgar score below 7 (1.2% - 1.6%) was achieved when CS rate ranged between 52.4% and 53.8% (Figure 2).

Induction of labour was performed in 3.7% of patients in 2016 and 0.9% in 2012. It was associated with a highest rate of vaginal delivery: 81.4% versus 75.2% (p = 0.005 OR = 0.9 [0.87 - 0.97]).

Even though there are sharp variations in CS rate between rural and urban areas, we can notice a steady maternal morbidity. Because, many CS were performed on the ground of suspected foetal distress without an accurate diagnosis. Moreover, further prospective studies are required to shed a light on predictive factors of intrapartum asphyxia. In addition, an availability of cardiotocography and pH of scalp can reduce unnecessary CS.

CS for breech presentation in singleton or twin delivery should not be systematic. A staff of obstetricians and neonatologists must discuss indications. Above a certain rate, caesarean section does not improve the Apgar score in twin and breech delivery.

An obstetrical audit provides information for the adjustment of management of delivery.

Safety and effectiveness of labour induction is demonstrated. It must take more and more place in obstetrical management.

Gueye, M.D.N., Gueye, M., Mbaye, M., Chraibi, A., Diouf, A., Wade, M., Diallo, M., Gassama, O., Cisse, M., Toure, Y., Thiam, M. and Moreau, J.C. (2017) How to Avoid Primary Caesarean Section? A Five-Year Experience Report from a Level 2 Facility in Dakar Senegal. Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 7, 1174-1182. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojog.2017.712119