According to a new study, women who undergo cesarean section (C-section) with general anesthesia are at a 54% higher risk of experiencing severe postpartum bleeding than those who get spinal anesthesia.

The research also found that general anesthesia was associated with a small increase in the risk of other postoperative complications.

The study

The study, published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology, examined data from over 165,000 C-sections performed at 42 hospitals across the United States between 2012 and 2015.

Women who underwent a planned C-section and received either general or spinal anesthesia were included in the analysis.

The researchers found that 1.6% of women who received general anesthesia during a C-section experienced severe postpartum bleeding, compared to just 1.0% of those who received spinal anesthesia.

After taking into account other factors that could influence the risk of bleeding, such as the mother’s age, race, and medical history, the researchers estimated that the use of general anesthesia increased the risk of severe postpartum bleeding by 54%.

Additionally, women who received general anesthesia were slightly more likely to experience other postoperative complications, such as blood clots, wound infections, and respiratory problems.

However, these associations were weaker than the link between general anesthesia and severe postpartum bleeding.

Why might general anesthesia increase the risk of bleeding?

The exact reasons why general anesthesia may increase the risk of severe postpartum bleeding are not fully understood.

However, the researchers suggest that one possible explanation is that spinal anesthesia, which numbs the lower half of the body, helps to prevent the uterus from contracting too strongly after delivery. Strong uterine contractions can cause the blood vessels in the uterus to break, leading to bleeding.

General anesthesia, on the other hand, can interfere with the body’s natural mechanisms for controlling bleeding by lowering blood pressure and reducing the body’s ability to form blood clots.

Implications for clinical practice

The findings of this study have important implications for clinical practice.

While general anesthesia may be necessary in certain situations, such as emergencies or if the woman cannot tolerate spinal anesthesia, the results suggest that spinal anesthesia should be the preferred method of anesthesia for most C-sections.

However, the study also highlights the need for further research to explore the risks and benefits of different types of anesthesia for C-sections, as well as the optimal timing and dosage of the anesthesia.

Conclusion

General anesthesia during C-section raises the risk of severe postpartum bleeding by 54%, according to a new study. Women who receive spinal anesthesia during C-sections have a lower risk of bleeding and other postoperative complications.

This study has important implications for clinical practice and highlights the need for further research to identify the safest and most effective ways to perform C-sections.