Cesarean section--a review of two annual periods separated by a ten-year interval

In the Soroka Medical Center in Beer-Sheba during the two annual periods 1969 and 1979, 693 cesarean sections were performed, of which 633 are presented. The main reasons for the rise in cesarean section rate from 2.6% in 1969 to 8.0% in 1979 were evaluated. Cesarean sections were performed more often for fetal indications during 1979 than in 1969, reflecting the change in our approach to the management of the fetus at risk. The increase in the cesarean section rate was concomitant with a drop in the perinatal mortality from 23/1000 in 1969 to 13.1/1000 in 1979.