Does Uterine Incision-to-Delivery Interval Matter?

It’s a controversial topic: the impact of uterine incision (hysterectomy) on the neonate delivery interval (also called the U-D interval). Does it matter? Just to be clear, we’re talking about time from uterine entry to fetal extraction, not skin incision to fetal extraction. Past publications have produced conflicting results, often limited by small sample sizes, heterogeneous indications for delivery, and reliance on surrogate markers (like apgar scores) rather than clinical morbidity. But a new study published in the Gray journal at the end of 2025 (December 30, 2025) gives some new insights. In this episode, we will review this retrospective study and play the “Devil’s advocate” as we summarize the rebuttal data. As the reports are conflicting, we will end the podcast with a real-world interpretation and application of this data. Listen in for details.

1. Bart, Yossi et al. Uterine Incision-to-Delivery Interval and Neonatal Outcomes among Non-urgent, Term, Cesarean Deliveries. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Volume 0, Issue 0. https://www.ajog.org/article/S0002-9378(25)00980-9/fulltext?rss=yes

2. Maayan-Metzger A, Schushan-Eisen I, Todris L, Etchin A, Kuint J. The effect of time intervals on neonatal outcome in elective cesarean delivery at term under regional anesthesia. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2010 Dec;111(3):224-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2010.07.022. Epub 2010 Sep 19. PMID: 20855070. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20855070/

3. Spain JE, Tuuli M, Stout MJ, Roehl KA, Odibo AO, Macones GA, Cahill AG. Time from uterine incision to delivery and hypoxic neonatal outcomes. Am J Perinatol. 2015 Apr;32(5):497-502. doi: 10.1055/s-0034-1396696. Epub 2014 Dec 24. PMID: 25539409.

4. Bader AM, Datta S, Arthur GR, Benvenuti E, Courtney M, Hauch M. Maternal and fetal catecholamines and uterine incision-to-delivery interval during elective cesarean. Obstet Gynecol. 1990 Apr;75(4):600-3. PMID: 2107478.

5. Tekin, E., Inal, H.A. & Isenlik, B.S. A Comparison of the Effect of Time from Uterine Incision to Delivery on Neonatal Outcomes in Women with One Previous and Repeat (Two or More) Cesarean Sections. SN Compr. Clin. Med. 5, 80 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42399-023-01427-x