Section 4 Labour and Birth Processes
4.1 Labour induction by parity and year, Nova Scotia, 2010-2019
Figure 4.1: Labour induction by parity and year, Nova Scotia, 2010-2019
Note: The initiation of contractions in a pregnant woman who is not in labour to help her achieve a vaginal birth within 24 to 48 hours.
4.2 Indication for labour induction by year, Nova Scotia, 2010-2019
Figure 4.2: Indication for labour induction by year, Nova Scotia, 2010-2019
ᵃ PRoM: Prelabour rupture of membranes.
ᵇ Please see glossary under 'Indication for labour induction' for complete list.
4.3 Medical augmentation of labour among women with spontaneous onset of labour by year, Nova Scotia, 2010-2019
Figure 4.3: Medical augmentation of labour among women with spontaneous onset of labour by year, Nova Scotia, 2010-2019
Note: Use of oxytocin to improve contractions after labour has started spontaneously.
4.4 Use of regional anesthesia with vaginal delivery by year, Nova Scotia, 2010-2019
Figure 4.4: Use of regional anesthesia with vaginal delivery by year, Nova Scotia, 2010-2019
ᵃ Regional anesthesia including epidural, spinal, and/or pudendal anesthesia during labour and/or delivery.
4.5 Type of delivery by year, Nova Scotia, 2010-2019
Figure 4.5: Type of delivery by year, Nova Scotia, 2010-2019
ᵃ With known type of delivery.
4.6 Stage of labour before Caesarean delivery by year, Nova Scotia, 2010-2019
Figure 4.6: Stage of labour before Caesarean delivery by year, Nova Scotia, 2010-2019
Note: The 1ˢᵗ stage is the period from the onset of labour until the cervix is fully dilated (10 cm). The 2ⁿᵈ stage is the period from 10 cm dilation of the cervix until the baby is delivered.
4.7 Primary indication for Caesarean delivery by year, Nova Scotia, 2010-2019
Figure 4.7: Primary indication for Caesarean delivery by year, Nova Scotia, 2010-2019
4.8 Caesarean delivery by Robson group and year, Nova Scotia, 2010-2019
Figure 4.8: Caesarean delivery by Robson group and year, Nova Scotia, 2010-2019
Note: The Robson criteria for the classification of deliveries into ten mutually exclusive groups by maternal characteristics allows comparison of Caesarean section rates at regional and national levels. Please note that for the purposes of this report: (1) group 6 (nulliparous breeches) and group 7 (multiparous breeches) are combined; and (2) group 9 (abnormal lies excluding breeches) is omitted due to small numbers. [ Ref: Robson MS. Classification of caesarean sections. Fetal and Maternal Medicine Review 2001;12(1):23-39 ].
4.9 Any labour among candidates for vaginal birth after Caesarean by year, 2010-2019
Figure 4.9: Any labour among candidates for vaginal birth after Caesarean by year, Nova Scotia, 2010-2019
Note: For the purposes of this report, a candidate for vaginal birth after Caesarean (VBAC) is woman who has had no more than one previous Caesarean section delivery; whose current pregnancy is a singleton in vertex presentation; and who has no contraindications for labour. On an individual basis when more information is available, such as type of previous Caesarean delivery, other factors are taken into account and women with two previous Caesarean deliveries may be considered for VBAC. [ Ref: Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada. Guidelines for vaginal birth after previous caesarean birth. SOGC clinical practice guidelines. Number 155, February 2005. International Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics 2005;89(3):319-31 ].
4.10 Type of delivery among candidates for vaginal birth after Caesarean (VBAC) who had any labour by year, 2010-2019
Figure 4.10: Type of delivery among candidates for vaginal birth after Caesarean (VBAC) who had any labour by year, Nova Scotia, 2010-2019
4.11 Labour to 4 cm dilation among candidates for vaginal birth after Caesarean by year, 2010-2019
Figure 4.11: Labour to 4 cm dilation among candidates for vaginal birth after Caesarean by year, Nova Scotia, 2010-2019
ᵃ VBAC candidates with known cervical dilation who reached 4 cm.
Note: Women who are VBAC candidates and reach 4 cm cervical dilation may better represent those who have chosen to attempt a vaginal delivery. Intention to attempt a vaginal delivery is not recorded in the Atlee Database.
4.12 Type of delivery among candidates for vaginal birth after Caesarean who had labour to 4 cm dilation by year, 2010-2019
Figure 4.12: Type of delivery among candidates for vaginal birth after Caesarean who had labour to 4 cm dilation by year, Nova Scotia, 2010-2019
4.13 Episiotomy by parity and year, 2010-2019
Figure 4.13: Episiotomy by parity and year, Nova Scotia, 2010-2019
Note: An episiotomy is a mediolateral or midline incision made in the perineum during childbirth.
4.14 Obstetrical intervention by year, 2010-2019
Figure 4.14: Obstetrical intervention by year, Nova Scotia, 2010-2019
Note: Obstetrical intervention includes the use of any of: induction, medical augmentation, anesthesia, Caesarean delivery, vaginal delivery involving the use of forceps and/or vacuum, or episiotomy.