Comparative analysis of international cesarean delivery rates using 10-group classification identifies significant variation in spontaneous labor.

OBJECTIVE

Cesarean section (CS) rates continue to rise throughout the developed world. The aim of this study was to highlight variations in obstetric populations and practices and to identify variations in CS rates in different institutions.

STUDY

DESIGN

Data from 9 institutional cohorts (total, 47,402; range, 1962-7985) from 9 different countries were examined using a 10-group classification system based on 4 characteristics of every pregnancy, namely single/multiple, nulliparity/multiparity, multiparity with CS scar, spontaneous/induced labor onset and term (>or=37 weeks) gestation.

RESULTS

Overall CS rates correlated with CS rates in singleton cephalic nullipara (r = 0.992; P < .001). Whereas CS rates in induced labor were similar, greatest institutional variation were seen in spontaneously laboring multiparas (6.7-fold difference) and nulliparas (3.7-fold difference).

CONCLUSION

Ten-group analysis of international obstetric cesarean practice identifies wide variations in women in spontaneous cephalic term labor, a low-risk cohort amenable to effective intrapartum corrective intervention.