European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Background: The escalating global rates of cesarean sections (CS) have raised concerns regarding maternal and neonatal outcomes. While CS can be life-saving, their overuse poses significant risks, necessitating a careful balance between benefits and risks. In India, regional disparities and socioeconomic factors contribute to varying CS rates, highlighting the need for context-specific interventions. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the patterns of CS utilization and associated factors in the Central Vindhya region, with a focus on identifying clinically relevant groups contributing most to CS deliveries.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, S.S. Medical College, Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, India. Data were collected retrospectively from hospital records of 7,484 women who underwent CS over a specified 3-year period. Robson's classification system was used to categorize CS cases into ten groups based on pregnancy characteristics, obstetric history, labor progression, and gestational age. Results: The overall CS rate was 28.18%, with multiparous women with prior cesarean sections (Robson's group 5) constituting the largest proportion of CS cases (32.58%). Nulliparous women in spontaneous labor (group 1) and those with induced labor or cesarean before labor (group 2) also contributed significantly to CS rates. Indications for CS included previous cesarean section (32.57%), fetal distress (16.56%), and meconium-stained liquor (19.2%). Conclusion: This study provides valuable insights into CS utilization patterns and associated factors in the Central Vindhya region. The findings underscore the importance of context-specific interventions to optimize CS utilization while ensuring maternal and neonatal safety. Further research is warranted to explore effective strategies for reducing CS rates and improving maternal health outcomes in resource-limited settings.