Caesarean Section Rates in a Teaching Hospital: A Ten Year Review

Abstract

Caesarean Section (CS) is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedure worldwide. Globally there is an alarming increase in the cesarean section rate. The increase in CS rate is of concern not only because of the associated higher morbidity and mortality compared to vaginal route, but also for the effects on subsequent pregnancies and deliveries. The present study was undertaken to study CS rates and some of their determinants over a ten year period from 2002 to 2012 at Government Maternity Hospital, Tirupati, attached to Sri Venkateswara Medical College, Tirupati, Chittoor (D.t), A.P., India. This hospital caters to predominantly rural population. The caesarean section rate was 166/1000 live births in 2002 and it is 225/1000 live births in the year 2012. There is a steady increase in CS rate over the 10 year period. The raise in primary caesarean rate is 11.87% (2002) to 12.75% in 2012. Repeat caesarean section rate has increased considerably from 47.29% in 2002 to 96.9% in 2012. Repeat caesarean section contributed mainly to the increase seen in CS rate in our institution. Reducing primary caesarean rate is an important intervention in reducing caesarean section rate. Vaginal birth after caesarean section should be increased to lower CS rate. Keywords: Cesarean Section (CS), India, Indications.