[Incidence of and indications for cesarean sections in the Quebec, Canada region 1973 and 1979].

This study describes the frequency of cesarean sections and their indications in eleven hospitals located in the Quebec City area, in 1973 and 1979. Information on cesarean sections was abstracted from hospital records. Birth certificates provide the information on all deliveries. From 1973 to 1979, the cesarean delivery rate increased from 7.9 to 13.6 per 100 deliveries. Repeat cesarean sections account for 40.4% of this increase, while primary cesarean sections for dystocia, breech presentation and fetal distress explain respectively 21.1%, 21.1% and 12.3% of the rise. Prolonged labour, prolonged rupture of membranes, general anesthesia and pre-term repeat cesarean section were observed less frequently among cesarean sections in 1979. Moreover, Apgar scores were higher in 1979 than in 1973.