Context: The World Health Organization proposed the Robson's classification system as a global standard for assessing and comparing cesarean section (CS) rates within health-care facilities over time and between facilities.
Aims: This study aims to assess the frequency and indications of CS and to identify the groups within the obstetric population contributing to CS using Robson's classification.
Settings and design: A retrospective chart review was conducted in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital in Imphal, Manipur.
Methods: All women who delivered between January and December 2019 were classified using the Robson's Ten Group Classification System. The overall CS rate and the CS rate in each Robson's group were calculated. The indications for CS were also recorded.
Statistical analysis used: Descriptive statistics, such as frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, was used.
Results: A total of 10,282 births were reported. The overall CS rate was 35.2%. Group 3 (multiparous women without previous CS in spontaneous labor) (27.6%) and Group 1 (nulliparous women in spontaneous labor) (23.7%) contributed to most of the obstetric populations. The majority of CS belonged to the women in Group 5 (multiparous women with previous lower segment CS) (11%), followed by Group 2 (nulliparous women with labor induced or prelabor CS) (8.6%) and Group 4 (multiparous women without previous CS were induced or taken for prelabor CS) (5.5%).
Conclusions: The study revealed that Groups 5, 2, and 4 contributed to the high CS rate. Efforts to reduce the overall CS rate should be directed at increasing vaginal births after CS, performing effective pelvic examinations, and encouraging obstetricians to perform versions when indicated.
Keywords: Cesarean section; Robson's Ten Group classification system; pregnancy.