Abstract: Introduction: Cesarean section (CS) is one of the oldest and most commonly done surgeries throughout the world. CS rates have raised dramatically over the last two decades worldwide which is an alarming concern for public health and obstetrician due to increase in financial burden and risk to health of the mother in comparison to vaginal delivery. The present study aims to study the prevalence of CS in a tertiary care hospital and its indications.
Methods: A cross sectional study conducted in a tertiary care in south India from August 2017 to July 2018. All the pregnant women who got admitted for delivery and gave consent were included in the study. If patient underwent CS then indications for the same and complications if any were recorded and data was entered and analysis was done using Microsoft SPSS software.
Results: Out of 476 deliveries conducted during the study period, 316 were normal vaginal deliveries, 138 were CS and 22 were instrumental deliveries. The CS rate was 28.99%. Incidence of CS is more in multigravida than primigravida. 62.31% had emergency LSCS and 37.69% had elective LSCS. Most common indication is previous LSCS seen in 30.43%. Other indications like Cephalo pelvic disproportion, arrest of labour, failed induction, oligohydramnios and fetal distress contributes in the range of 7% to 13% each for LSCS.
Conclusions: Cesarean section rate and its trend is increasing worldwide and its judicious employment can improve maternal and fetal outcome when genuinely indicated, avoiding unnecessary surgeries should be the ideal approach.