Cesarean birth in the United States: epidemiology, trends, and outcomes.
The percentage of United States cesarean births increased from 20.7% in 1996 to 31.1% in 2006. Cesarean rates increased for women of all ages, race/ethnic groups, and gestational ages and in all states. Both primary and repeat cesareans have increased. Increases in primary cesareans in cases of "no indicated risk" have been more rapid than in the overall population and seem the result of changes in obstetric practice rather than changes in the medical risk profile or increases in "maternal request." Several studies note an increased risk for neonatal and maternal mortality for medically elective cesareans compared with vaginal births.
MacDorman
Marian F
MF
Reproductive Statistics Branch, Division of Vital Statistics, National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3311 Toledo Road, Room 7318, Hyattsville, MD 20782, USA. mfm1@cdc.gov
Menacker
Fay
F
Declercq
Eugene
E
D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends*; D002755:Choice Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008423:Maternal Age; D011247:Pregnancy; D044469:Racial Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States; D016064:Vaginal Birth after Cesarean / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends