Cesarian section rates in rural hospitals
Executive summary
Childbirth by cesarean section (c-section) is major abdominal surgery that carries risk to both mother and baby. There are reasons to suggest that c-section rates at rural hospitals might be different than c-section rates at urban hospitals. The diffusion of best practices, such as the safe delivery of infants by vaginal births to women with previous deliveries by c-section (VBAC), may be slower in rural communities, resulting in higher c-section rates at rural hospitals. There may also be non-medical reasons for an increased rate in rural facilities, particularly small hospitals. For example, lack of surgical coverage on weekends could lead to scheduled c-sections in anticipation of problems necessitating surgical intervention.