Introduction:
The trend for second stage caesarean section (SSCS) has been rising, and it carries a high rate of maternal and neonatal morbidity.

Aim:
To determine the prevalence of caesarean section (CS) performed during the second stage of labour and identify maternal outcomes and associated risk factors in these women.

Material and methods:
This retrospective study was performed in the Hospital University Sains Malaysia (HUSM). Medical records of 207 women with singleton cephalic pregnancies at term who underwent a SSCS between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2015 were reviewed, and demographic and outcome data were collected.

Results and discussion:
During the study period, 8,197 (19.3%) out of 42,546 babies were delivered by CS, including 257 (4.1%) SSCSs. Nearly half (49.3%) the women were nulliparous, 182 (87.9%) experienced spontaneous labour and 123 (59.4%) received oxytocin augmentation. Furthermore, 26 (12.6%) of women had post-partum haemorrhage (≥1000 mL), of whom 22 (10.6%) required blood transfusion. Only 1 (0.5%) woman was admitted to the intensive care unit postoperatively, but 163 (78.7%) had an overall hospital stay length of 3 days. Furthermore, 38 (18.4%) and 33 (15.9%) of women experienced extended uterine tear and uterine atony, respectively. Parity (P < 0.001), attempted instrumentation (P < 0.001) and baby’s weight (P < 0.004) were statistically significantly associated with total blood loss. Parity (P < 0.012) and attempted instrumentation (P < 0.001) were risk factors for extended uterine tear.

Conclusions:
The overall outcomes from SSCS were better compared with studies performed in other centres. Current practices must be maintained or improved to provide the best patient caree.