Prevalence of cesarean section in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, 1984-1989.

This study was undertaken to estimate the cesarean delivery rate in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (CGMH) and to determine whether the reasons for the rising rate have changed during the past 6 years. Since 1984, 43% of the rise in the cesarean rate was due to repeat cesareans, 29% due to dystocia, and 15% due to fetal distress. At the same time, the cesarean delivery rates due to abnormality of position and placentation dropped by 2% in either condition. The rate of cesarean delivery among those with a previous cesarean was 98%. In the future, if the number of vaginal deliveries after cesarean increases, then the overall cesarean delivery rate will decrease or stabilize.