How does the obstetric anesthesia in cesarean section affect the wellbeing of the newborn?

Abstract

Aim: The well-being of newborns after a cesarean section (CS) is the main important point when choosing anesthetic methods. APGAR score, cord blood gas levels, and early feeding of the newborns after CS are indicators of the newborn's well-being. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the effects of different anesthesia methods (regional and general) on Apgar score and cord blood gas, and the second aim is to evaluate the onset time of breastfeeding after CS with different anesthesia methods. Material and Methods: A total of 364 mothers who underwent CS in our hospital, between January 2020 and April 2020 and their newborns' records were evaluated retrospectively. Results: General anesthesia(GA), regional anesthesia (RA) anesthesia were applied during CS to 50\% (n = 182), 50\% (n = 182). There were no significant differences between the two groups (all p>0.05) in terms of APGAR score, umbilical cord arterial blood gas. The rate of breastfeeding in the first hour in the RA group was significantly higher than in the GA group (p <0.001). Discussion: Two anesthesia (RA and GA) methods could be preferred safely for newborns in terms of APGAR score and umbilical cord blood gas, however, the timing of breastfeeding initiation was earlier with RA than GA.