LINE GRAPH: Cesarean Section Rates and VBAC Rates, for All Women and Low-Risk Women,* 1990-2003

(Percent of Women)

1990: First Births 23.9; All Women First Births 21.0; Low-Risk Women VBAC 20.8; All Women** 19.9

1991: First Births 23.8; All Women First Births 20.8; Low-Risk Women VBAC 22.5; All Women** 21.3

1992: First Births 23.4; All Women First Births 20.4; Low-Risk Women VBAC 23.9; All Women** 22.6

1993: First Births 22.7; All Women First Births 19.6; Low-Risk Women VBAC 25.8; All Women** 24.3

1994: First Births 21.9; Low-Risk Women VBAC 18.5 28.0; All Women** 26.3

1995: First Births 21.4; All Women First Births 18.2 29.3; All Women** 27.5

1996: First Births 21.2; All Women First Births 17.9; Low-Risk Women VBAC 30.2; All Women** 28.3

1997: First Births 21.2; All Women First Births 17.8 29.3; All Women** 27.4

1998: First Births 21.6; All Women First Births 18.1; Low-Risk Women VBAC 28.2; All Women** 26.3

1999: First Births 22.3; All Women First Births 18.8; Low-Risk Women VBAC 25.1 23.4

2000: First Births 23.2; All Women First Births 19.7; Low-Risk Women VBAC 22.1; All Women** 20.6

2001: First Births 24.4; All Women First Births 20.9; Low-Risk Women VBAC 17.6; All Women** 16.4

2002: First Births 25.8; All Women First Births 22.4; Low-Risk Women VBAC 13.5; All Women** 12.6

2003: First Births 27.1; All Women First Births 23.6; Low-Risk Women VBAC 11.3; All Women** 10.6

*A low-risk woman is defined as one with a full-term (at least 37 weeks’ gestation), singleton (not a multiple pregnancy), and vertex fetus (head facing downward in the birth canal).

**Among women with a previous cesarean delivery.

Source: Menacker F. Trends in cesarean rates for first births and repeat cesarean rates for low-risk women: United States, 1990-2003. National Vital Statistics Reports 2005; 54(5).