OBJECTIVE To examine the reliability of reported rates of caesarean sections from developing countries and make recommendations on how data collection for surveys and health facility-based studies could be improved. METHODS Population-based rates for caesarean section obtained from two sources: Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and health facility-based records of caesarean sections from t...

AIMS Single center 10-years audit on the relation between labour ward management and caesarean section rate, with special emphasis on the impact of reduced induction rate and the use of strict criteria for the diagnosis of onset of spontaneous labour and the indication for induction of labour. METHODS Retrospective classification of all deliveries between 1st January 2001 and 31st December 20...

Context Over the past decades, the steady rise in caesarean section rates worldwide has led to increased research, debate and concern among clinicians, scientists, policymakers and governments, with sustained questions: What is the appropriate caesarean section rate? What is the rate or range that achieves best maternal and perinatal outcomes? Several ecological studies have been conducted to a...

Caesarean section is the most frequent abdominal operation carried out in obstetric practice. Parturients undergoing this operation are still exposed to a substantial rate of short- and long-term complications. The incidence of re-laparotomy after caesarean section is 0.12-0.70%. The most common indication for re-laparotomy is intra-abdominal bleeding, uterine atony, eventration, haematoma in t...

OBJECTIVE To assess the risks and benefits associated with caesarean delivery compared with vaginal delivery. DESIGN Prospective cohort study within the 2005 WHO global survey on maternal and perinatal health. SETTING 410 health facilities in 24 areas in eight randomly selected Latin American countries; 123 were randomly selected and 120 participated and provided data PARTICIPANTS 106,546...

BACKGROUND Trial of labour is a safe option for most women after one previous caesarean delivery. However, the proportion of women attempting trial of labour after previous caesarean delivery (TOLAC) has been declining in many countries. In addition, women with prior caesarean delivery appear to know little regarding their mode of delivery and healthcare providers' recommendations. The doctors'...

BACKGROUND Advances in cardiac surgery and congenital cardiology have led to an increasing number of women with congenital heart disease (CHD) reaching childbearing age. In general, cardiologists recommend vaginal delivery for women with CHD to avoid complications from Caesarean section as many women with CHD tolerate vaginal delivery well. METHODS AND RESULTS This is a single-center study co...

OBJECTIVE To assess and compare the preferences of pregnant women in the public and private sector regarding delivery in Brazil. DESIGN Face to face structured interviews with women who were interviewed early in pregnancy, about one month before the due date, and about one month post partum. SETTING Four cities in Brazil. PARTICIPANTS 1612 pregnant women: 1093 public patients and 519 priv...

E dwin Cragin's century-old opinion, " once a Caesarean, always a Caesarean, " is correct if placed in proper context [1]. Cragin was predicting the near certainty of repeat Caesarean section in a self-selected group of women (1%–2%) who failed to deliver vaginally after several days in active labour. At that time, rickets and pelvic deformity were prevalent even in industrialised countries, sy...

For subsequent births, women who have experienced previous caesarean section face a choice between elective caesarean section and trial of labour. The study reported in this paper utilises Australian hospital data to compare birth outcome and health system costs of these two options. Although trial of labour is more expensive if the result is an emergency caesarean section, high rates of succes...