Indications for caesarean section: results of a local study

Records from 6820 deliveries of three year (1980, 1985 and 1988) were reviewed in order to collect informations on cesarean section trend and its indications in a public hospital of Milan, Italy. Data show the magnitude of the phenomenon in the wards considered and an evident increase of cesarean section proportion from 1980 (18.6%) to 1988 (26.9%). The frequencies of major indications has not changed much apart from dystocia which has decreased and previous cesarean section which has increased. A logistic regression model was performed to evaluate cesarean section risk factors. Distribution of cesarean section during the days of the week show higher (about 30%) cesarean section proportion Monday through Thursday compared with low proportion (20% or less) on Fridays and weekend-days; this suggesting a possible high proportion of pre-programmed cesarean section.