Caesarean delivery rates, determinants and indications in Makassed Hospital, Jerusalem 1993 and 2002

This study investigated the rising rate of caesarean section (CS) deliveries between 1993and 2002 (9.4% to 14.4%) and associated factors, including indications for CS and sociodemographicand clinical characteristics based on the register of a major Palestinian teaching hospital. Instrumentaldeliveries declined from 12.6% to 4.4%. Fetal distress decreased as an indication for CS, while previousCS and breech presentations contributed to the increase. Decision-making for CS needs to framethe benefits and risks of the intervention within the context of women’s entire reproductive life-cycleand existing standards of care, avoiding unnecessary and costly CS deliveries to reduce iatrogeniccomplications and conserve resources.