Recent trends in cesarean delivery in the United States.

KEY FINDINGS Data from the Natality Data File, National Vital Statistics System. The cesarean rate rose by 53% from 1996 to 2007, reaching 32%, the highest rate ever reported in the United States. From 1996 to 2007, the cesarean rate increased for mothers in all age and racial and Hispanic origin groups. The pace of the increase accelerated from 2000 to 2007. Cesarean rates also increased for infants at all gestational ages; from 1996 to 2006 preterm infants had the highest rates. Cesarean rates increased for births to mothers in all U.S. states, and by more than 70% in six states from 1996 to 2007.