Obstetrics and gynaecology

Chan, Fung Yee; Oats, Jeremy J N

doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.2002.tb04261.x

Topics

The continuing rise in the mean age for childbearing has a widespread impact on the practice of obstetrics. It has been accompanied by an escalation in the rate of caesarean section to around 25% in many tertiary centres and into the 35%–45% range in private practice. The reasons are complex, but advancing maternal age, patient request and obstetric litigation are all factors.

1 Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Mater Mothers Hospital, South Brisbane, QLD 4101.
2 Royal Women's Hospital, Carlton, VIC 3053.

Correspondence: FCHAN@Mater.org.au

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