NTSV c-section rates in U.S. hospitals| ��ƽ��

Average cesarean section rates among first-time low-risk mothers among reporting U.S. hospitals from 2015 to 2024

Characteristic	Percentage of hospitals
2024	25.3%
2023	25.2%
2022	25.2%
2021	24.7%
2020	24.5%
2019	25.6%
2018	26.1%
2017	26.3%
2016	25.8%
2015	26.4%

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Release date

March 2025

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Region

United States

Survey time period

2015-2024

Special properties

Over 1,700 hospitals provided data for the "2024 Leapfrog Hospital Survey"

Supplementary notes

*Nulliparous, Term, Singleton, Vertex (NTSV) Cesarean Birth rate: referring to C-sections for mothers with first-time pregnancies (nulliparous) that have reached at least 37 weeks of gestation (term) and have a single baby (singleton) in the head-down position (vertex). This measure exclusively examines the population of women least likely to need a C-section, offering a standardized way to compare rates at different hospitals.
**National Healthy People 2030 target: NTSV cesarean birth rate: 23.6%.

Citation formats

According to a U.S. hospital survey, the average nulliparous, term, singleton, vertex (NTSV) cesarean section rate was 25.3 percent in 2024*. This is the c-section rate for low-risk first-time mothers, which did not meet the national target of 23.6 percent**.

C-sections can be medically necessary, but involve risks such as infection, blood clots, extended recovery, and issues in subsequent pregnancies. The surgery may also impact neonatal health, increasing the chances of a NICU stay due to respiratory issues. Not to mention, c-section births also cost a lot more than vaginal delivery.

Even higher is the rate of c-section among all live births in the U.S., standing at 32.3 percent in 2023 (which includes mothers of higher risks such as giving birth to multiples or having hypertension or diabetes).