Immediate birth - an analysis of women and their babies undergoing time critical birth in a tertiary referral obstetric hospital

Abstract

BACKGROUND: At our institution, the emergency obstetric 'code green' activates the system for immediate birth, usually by caesarean section. This study aimed to determine the incidence of immediate birth, indications, modes of anaesthesia, and short-term neonatal and maternal outcomes. METHOD: A review was performed for all women at the Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville, Australia who underwent immediate birth over a two-year period: January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2014. RESULTS: Within the study period 14,115 women gave birth, of which 387 women underwent an immediate birth, the majority (83%) by caesarean section. The commonest indication for immediate birth was prolonged fetal bradycardia..