The cesarean rates and indications between 2010 and 2014 in the Obstetrics Department of Dr. Zekai Tahir Burak Maternal Health Training and Research Hospital

Objective: World Health Organization (WHO) declared cesarean section rate decreasing maternal and fetal mortality as 10–15%. The cesarean rates gradually increase and the ministries of health try to get under control these rates by various policies. The cesarean rate increased from 5% to 45% in Turkey from 1988 to 2010. Turkish Ministry of Health and Turkish Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (TJOD) have aimed to decrease cesarean rate to 35% in 2013. This study aims to investigate and evaluate cesarean rates and the most common cesarean indications of 2010–2014 in Ankara Dr. Zekai Tahir Burak Maternal Health Training and Research (ZTB) Hospital which is a tertiary maternity and obstetrics hospital. Methods: The archive records of the patients who delivered in the obstetrics department of ZTB Hospital between 2010 and 2014 were investigated to determine the number of cesarean section and cesarean indications. Results: Between 2010 and 2014, 64,154 deliveries occurred in ZTB Hospital. Of them, 23,200 were cesarean section. Mean cesarean rate of five years was found as 36.2 ±3.96%. When cesarean indications were evaluated, the most common 10 reasons of cesarean section were found as previous single or multiple cesarean section (50.9%), cephalopelvic disproportion (16.5%), fetal distress (12.1%), breech presentation (7.7%), non-progressive labor (3.2%), macrosomic baby (≥4000 g for the fetus of diabetic pregnant women, and ≥4500 g for other pregnant women), malpresentation (face, foot, deflection presentation etc.; except breech presentation, 1.6%), and cord prolapsus (0.8%). The greatest portion of cesarean section indications is the previous cesarean section, which is 50.9%. Conclusion: We found that the mean cesarean rate (36.2%) for 2010–2014 in the obstetrics department of our hospital was close to the rate (35%) aimed by TJOD and the Ministry of Health in 2013. In order to decrease cesarean rates in Turkey to the level (15%) determined by WHO, further studies, the implementation of obstetric guideline recommendations through the joint works of the Ministry and the society in Turkey and additional briefing of pregnant women and Turkish obstetricians are required.