OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changing trend of cesarean section rates in 35 years. METHODS: Samples taken from 4 months (March, June, September, December) of a year every 5 years in 35 years (from 1959 to 1994) were analysed and a total of 1 667 cases were collected. RESULTS: Cesarean section rates increased since 1975 and particularly from 1980 to 1994. The causes of this trend may be related to following reasons. (1) Improvement of skill and safety of operation. (2) Change of indications of cesarean section. (3) Social factors. CONCLUSION: The decrease of perinatal mortality rate was not relevant only to the cesarean section rate, but dependent more on good perinatal care.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changing trend of cesarean section rates in 35 years. METHODS: Samples taken from 4 months (March, June, September, December) of a year every 5 years in 35 years (from 1959 to 1994) were analysed and a total of 1 667 cases were collected. RESULTS: Cesarean section rates increased since 1975 and particularly from 1980 to 1994. The causes of this trend may be related to following reasons. (1) Improvement of skill and safety of operation. (2) Change of indications of cesarean section. (3) Social factors. CONCLUSION: The decrease of perinatal mortality rate was not relevant only to the cesarean section rate, but dependent more on good perinatal care.