Objectives: Does the incidence and/or indication(s) for emergency cesarean
section differ if the pregnant woman has an immigrant background (IB)? Does a
lack of language proficiency (communication problems) and a low acculturation
level result in a longer decision-to-delivery interval (D-D interval)? Are
neonates born to women with IB by emergency cesarean section in a poorer
condition post delivery? Patient cohorts and method: Standardized interviews
were carried out before or immediately after delivery in three Berlin
obstetric hospitals. Questions were asked about the sociodemographic
background and care aspects as well as about immigration and level of
acculturation. Collected data were linked to information obtained from the
expectant motherʼs antenatal records and to care data and perinatal data
routinely recorded by the hospitals. Data was analyzed using regression models
which adjusted for age, parity, and socio-economic status. Results: The total
patient population consisted of 7100 women (rate of response: 89.6%); of these
women, 111 required emergency cesarean section (50 women without IB, 61
immigrant women). Risk factors such as late first antenatal check-up,
gestational diabetes, pregnancy-induced hypertension, fetal macrosomia,
smoking, and weight gain were similar in both patient cohorts. The incidence
of and indications for emergency cesarean section and the D-D interval were
similar for both groups. Limited German language proficiency and low levels of
acculturation among immigrant women did not prolong the D-D interval. There
were no statistically relevant differences between immigrant and non-immigrant
cohorts with regard to adverse neonatal conditions (5-minute Apgar score ≤ 7,
umbilical cord arterial pH < 7.00) or with regard to immediate transfer of the
neonate to a pediatric clinic following emergency cesarean section.
Conclusion: The factor “immigrant background” did not affect the indication or
obstetric outcome following emergency cesarean section
