Abstract: Objective To analyze the cesarean section rates and its causes by contrasting medical data between 2005 to 2012 of a county-level hospital to explore the intervention measures to reduce the cesarean section rate. Methods 3660 cases’ medical records of hospitalized pregnant women were analyzed by retrospective research to calculate annual cesarean section rates and classify its causes of cesarean birth. Results The cesarean section rates of the hospital were 40.83% and 46.83% in 2012 and in 2005 respectively. Compared with the results in 2005, the cesarean causes, the proportion of uterine scar, head disproportion and pregnant women’s own request in 2012 had risen significantly. The composition ratio of breech position, severe pregnancy-induced hypertension, amniotic lfuid shortage and induction failure decreased obviously. Conclusion Compared with that in 2005, the cesarean section rate decline in 2012 is attributed to hospital’s high attention on promoting natural childbirth, obstetric technology improvement, prenatal examination and normative clinical procedures.

Key words: cesarean section rate, natural childbirth promotion, birth weight, nutrition clinic