Comparability of reasons for cesarean sections in patient records and mothers' interviews

Reasons for cesarean sections from three different data sources were compared. One hundred mothers were interviewed, their patient records were read, and the discharge diagnoses were noted. In about 70% of cases at least two of the data sources gave similar reasons for cesarean section, but when all three sources were compared, in only one-third was information similar. These figures cast doubt on the utility of recorded indications in studying reasons for cesarean sections.