Maternal risk profiles and the primary cesarean rate in the United States, 1991-2002

Am J Public Health. 2006 May;96(5):867-72. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2004.052381. Epub 2006 Mar 29.

Abstract

Objectives: We examined factors contributing to shifts in primary cesarean rates in the United States between 1991 and 2002.

Methods: US national birth certificate data were used to assess changes in primary cesarean rates stratified according to maternal age, parity, and race/ethnicity. Trends in the occurrence of medical risk factors or complications of labor or delivery listed on birth certificates and the corresponding primary cesarean rates for such conditions were examined.

Results: More than half (53%) of the recent increase in overall cesarean rates resulted from rising primary cesarean rates. There was a steady decrease in the primary cesarean rate from 1991 to 1996, followed by a rapid increase from 1996 to 2002. In 2002, more than one fourth of first-time mothers delivered their infants via cesarean. Changing primary cesarean rates were not related to general shifts in mothers' medical risk profiles. However, rates for virtually every condition listed on birth certificates shifted in the same pattern as with the overall rates.

Conclusions: Our results showed that shifts in primary cesarean rates during the study period were not related to shifts in maternal risk profiles.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Birth Certificates
  • Cesarean Section / adverse effects
  • Cesarean Section / trends*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Maternal Age*
  • Middle Aged
  • Obstetric Labor Complications / epidemiology
  • Obstetric Labor Complications / ethnology
  • Parity*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / epidemiology*
  • Pregnancy Complications / ethnology
  • Pregnancy Outcome / epidemiology
  • Pregnancy Outcome / ethnology
  • Racial Groups
  • Risk Factors
  • United States / epidemiology