Indicaciones del parto por cesárea en la práctica médica actual y sus principales complicaciones

Abstract

Introduction: Labor is the natural process of giving birth, historically assisted by midwives and now by health professionals. When vaginal delivery is not safe, a cesarean section is performed. Although cesarean section has reduced maternal and infant mortality, its use has increased, sometimes unnecessarily. The WHO recommends a cesarean section rate of 10-15%. In 2015, 21.1% of births were by cesarean section, with the highest rates in Latin America and the Caribbean. In Ecuador, in 2022, 48.5% of births were by cesarean section, predominating in private establishments. Objective: To characterize the indications for cesarean delivery in current medical practice and its main complications through a bibliographic review. Methodology: The methodology implemented corresponds to a correlational descriptive typology. It was carried out through a bibliographic review of scientific sources on the indications for cesarean section, obtained from databases such as Medline (PubMed interface), Scopus, Scielo, Cochrane Library, Science Direct and Google Scholar. Development: The main indications for cesarean section may vary depending on each specific case, but in general, some of the most common reasons for performing a cesarean section include: dystocia or difficulty in labor, fetal distress, abnormal presentation of the fetus, placenta previa, prolapse of the umbilical cord, multiple pregnancy. history of previous cesarean section. Conclusion: The main indications and associated complications were identified, highlighting the importance of specialized, comprehensive and personalized care, being crucial to optimize maternal-fetal outcomes and manage risks.