C-Section Rates in the US: 2019 CDC Statistics and Trends

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cesarean delivery remains the most common major surgical procedure performed on women in the United States.

2019 National Data

• Total C-sections: 1,165,200
• Cesarean Delivery Rate: 31.9% of all births
• Interpretation: Nearly 1 in 3 babies in the U.S. is born via C-section.

Context and Trends

• The rate peaked at 32.9% in 2009 and has declined slightly but remains historically high.
• Rates vary significantly by state, hospital, maternal age, race/ethnicity, and payer source.
• Major contributors include repeat C-sections (after prior cesarean), labor dystocia, fetal heart rate concerns, and elective procedures.
• Public health initiatives (e.g., Healthy People 2030) aim to reduce low-risk, primary cesarean deliveries.

While C-sections are life-saving when medically indicated, the high prevalence raises concerns about maternal morbidity, healthcare costs, and implications for future pregnancies.