Cesarean section rate: navigating the gap between WHO recommended range and current obstetrical challenges

Abstract

The cesarean section (CS) rate is very heterogeneous all over the world, reflecting the differences in the access to healthcare services. In higher-income countries, changes observed in the obstetrical population brought to an increased rate of cesarean section for maternal request. Besides, clinicians are facing an increasing number of induction of labor, with the consequent risk of CS if the management is inappropriate. Analyzing the rate of primary CS, the interpretation of intrapartum CTG and a tailored management of labor are also red flags that must be considered. In this optic, the implementation of obstetrics training and simulation programs and the improvement of clinical protocols with the latest evidence can lead to the reduction of unnecessary CS.

Keywords:

• Cesarean section
• CTG interpretation
• labor induction
• maternal request
• medical simulation training

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

Data supporting these findings are available from the corresponding author upon request.

Additional information

Funding

This research received no external funding.