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18/02/2018

A look at factors influencing vaginal versus caesarean delivery

Birth statistics in Australia are collected every two years and new statistics are to be expected sometime soon. The latest statistics tell us that In 2013, 67% of women had a vaginal birth. Most vaginal births were non-instrumental (82%). When instrumental delivery was required, vacuum extraction was more commonly used than forceps (11% and 7% respectively).

The overall rate of primary caesarean section (that is, those perfomed on women with no previous history of caesarean sections) was 23%; this rate was higher for the first-time mother (34%) and lower for mothers who had previously given birth (10%).

The vast majority of women (85%) who had a previous caesarean section had a repeat caesarean section, while the remainder had a vaginal birth: 12% had a non-instrumental vaginal birth and almost 4% had an instrumental vaginal birth. Hence, having had a previous caesarean section was the most common main reason for having a caesarean.

Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2015. Australia’s mothers and babies 2013—in brief. Perinatal statistics series no. 31. Cat no. PER 72. Canberra: AIHW.




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