Abstract
Objective
To determine the cesarean section (CS) rate and to evaluate the factors leading to increased
CS rates so that preventive measures can be adopted to safely reduce the CS rate.
Patients and Methods
This descriptive observational study was conducted in gynecology ward of Nawabshah
Medical College Hospital, Sindh, Pakistan from November 2008 to January 2009. A total 656
patients who underwent CS were included in the study. After taking informed consent, data
were collected regarding sociodemographics, parity, reason of CS, fetal and maternal
outcome and booking status. All data were analyzed using SPSS version 15.
Results
Frequency of CS was 41.4%. Out of 656 patients, 286 (43.59%) were in age group of 31-40
years. Majority of them i.e. 525(80%) were unbooked, while 131(19.96%) patients were
booked. In 539(82.16%) patients, CS was done in emergency while in 117(17.83%) patients
it was done electively. Regarding indications, most common was obstructed labor, which was
seen in 160(24.39%) followed by previous CS seen in 99(15%) patients. Regarding maternal
morbidity, most common was UTI seen in 49(7.46%), followed by PPH 44(6.70%).
Regarding fetal outcome, 553(84.2%) fetus were born alive, 72 (10.97%) were fresh still
birth and 129(23.3%) newborns died in early neonatal period.
Conclusion
Original article 2
CS rate is quiet high in population and common causes are obstructed labor and repeat CS.(Rawal Med J 2010;35: ).

Key words: Cesarean section, obstructed labour, morbidity.