Obstetricians’ opinions of the optimal caesarean rate: a global survey

Participants were recruited by online invitations via national obstetrics and gynaecology associations, large clinical studies of deliveries and maternal health organisations. The sample was not representative of all doctors performing caesareans worldwide.

Data were collected between August 2013 and January 2014. Respondents were asked for background information (gender, age, occupation, facility characteristics, country of practice), before reporting their opinion of the optimal caesarean rate – defined as the caesarean rate that would minimise poor maternal and perinatal outcomes – at the population level and within specific sub-groups of deliveries (including women with demographic and clinical risk factors for caesareans).