Probability of Having a Cesarean Section

Cesarean sections account for approximately 32.1% of all deliveries in the United States, according to the CDC's National Vital Statistics System. This rate has remained relatively stable since peaking at 32.9% in 2009, after rising steadily from about 5% in the 1970s.

Factors that increase the likelihood of a C-section include prior cesarean delivery (the most common indication), labor that fails to progress, fetal distress, breech presentation, placenta previa, multiple gestation (twins or more), maternal obesity, advanced maternal age, and preeclampsia. Hospital policies, provider practice patterns, and patient preferences also influence rates, which vary significantly by state (22-38%) and by hospital.

While C-sections are essential and life-saving in many situations, they carry higher risks than vaginal delivery, including infection, blood clots, longer recovery time, complications in future pregnancies, and higher healthcare costs. The World Health Organization considers a C-section rate of 10-15% to be optimal at the population level. Vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) is a safe option for many women with a prior C-section, with a success rate of about 60-80%.