CESAREAN-SECTION RATE REDUCED

The Caesarean section rate in consecutive years was decreased from 20.5% to 11.1% of total public deliveries (p<0.0001). On retrospective analysis the emergency Caesarean section rate decreased from 10.9% to 6.0% (p<0.0001) and elective Caesarean section rate from 9.6% to 5.1% (p<0.0001) in consecutive years. Interventions which have accounted for the decrease were 3-fold. Firstly, vaginal birth after Caesarean delivery was encouraged, secondly, the active management of labour and thirdly, extensive, regular peer review were introduced as unit policy. The decrease in the Caesarean section rate was not achieved at the expense of the fetus as judged by perinatal mortality rates and 5-minute Apgar scores of less than 7.