The trend analysis of cesarean section rate in a hospital, Tehran, Iran

Cesarean section rate has been increasing dramatically in the past decades in Iran. The objective of this study was to show the trend during an eight-year period. The records of cesarean section in a hospital affiliated to Shahed University were compared at two different time periods. Overall the cesarean section rate was 88%. The results showed that the cesarean section rate in nulliparous women was 90% and it would be 85% in her third pregnancy if it occurs. There is a dramatic increase of cesarean section rate comparing to the results of the same study eight years ago. Although arguments for decreasing cesarean births are acknowledged by obstetricians, translating them into practice on a daily basis is tempered by the constraints of time and the burden of medicolegal concerns. It needs a great concern of medical policymakers to resolve it as soon as possible. It seems plummeting of elective cesarean section without medical indication can protect the public from the devastating impact of this malpractice.