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. 2010 Oct;45(5 Pt 1):1360-75.
doi: 10.1111/j.1475-6773.2010.01125.x.

Declining fertility and the use of cesarean delivery: evidence from a population-based study in Taiwan

Ke-Zong M Ma  1 , Edward C Norton, Shoou-Yih D Lee
Affiliations

Declining fertility and the use of cesarean delivery: evidence from a population-based study in Taiwan

Ke-Zong M Ma et al. Health Serv Res. 2010 Oct.

Abstract

Objective: To test the hypothesis that declining fertility would affect the number of cesarean sections (c-sections) on maternal demand, but not medically indicated c-sections.

Data sources: The 1996-2004 National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan for all singleton deliveries.

Study design: Retrospective population-based, longitudinal study. Estimation was performed using multinomial probit models.

Principal findings: Results revealed that declining fertility had a significant positive effect on the probability of having a c-section on maternal request but not medically indicated c-section.

Conclusions: Our findings offer a precautionary note to countries experiencing a fertility decline. Policies to contain the rise of c-sections should understand the role of women's preferences, especially regarding cesarean deliveries on maternal request.

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