Abstract
Author(s): SÅawomir Suchocki, PrzemysÅaw Piec
Caesarean section is the most common intervention in worldwide obstetrics. About ? of all newborns was borne by caesarean. “The epidemic” of cesarean section is observed in Poland now. The authors analyzed polish and foreign literature regarding to medical, law and social causes of increasing rate of caesarean section. Experts of the World Health Organization and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists concluded that there was no justification to increase cesarean rate above 10 to 15 percent. Real cesarean rate is higher: 29,1% in U.S. (2004 year), 28,5% in Australia (2003 year), 21% in Great Britain (2001 year). Cesarean rate is lower in Holland (11,7% in 2000 year) and Scandinavian countries: 15,4% in Sweden (2000 year), 16% in Finland (2000 year). The authors emphasized the role of maternal and neonatal complications after cesarean section, and cite evidence that maternal post cesarean mortality is 2-4 times higher than post vaginal delivery. An actual problem is cesarean delivery on demand without medical indications, especially performed in private hospitals. The authors propose to stop rising cesarean section rate.