Correlation of decrease in cesarean section rates and decrease in perinatal mortality at Princess Basma Teaching...

A great effort has been made to reduce cesarean section rates at Princess Basma Teaching Hospital in North Jordan. This hospital is the main central and referral hospital in North Jordan with the annual deliveries about 8250. The cesarean section rate has declined from 13.5% to 6.5% and it has been almost constant since then. In 1987, cephalopelvic disproportion and fetal distress were responsible for nearly 65% of cesarean section rates; this has dropped to about 30% in 1990. Thi is due to the change in the approach to management of the two conditions. The reduction in cesarean section rates in the four year period was associated with a drop in the perinatal mortality rate, so our experience shows that cesarean section rates can be reduced without increasing the perinatal mortality rate.