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QuickStats: Percentage of Live Births by Cesarean Delivery, by Plurality --- United States, 1996, 2000, and 2006

The figure shows the percentage of live births by cesarean delivery, by plurality, in the United States in 1996, 2000, and 2006. In 2006, the percentage was 72.9% for births in twin deliveries and 93.9% for births in triplet and higher order deliveries, compared with 29.6% for singleton births. From 1996 to 2006, the percentage of cesarean deliveries increased 50% for singletons and 37% for twins. The percentage of cesarean deliveries for triplet and higher-order deliveries remained high throughout 1996-2006, increasing slightly from 2000 to 2006.

The percentage of live births by cesarean delivery varies substantially by plurality. In 2006, the percentage was 72.9% for births in twin deliveries and 93.9% for births in triplet and higher order deliveries, compared with 29.6% for singleton births. From 1996 to 2006, the percentage of cesarean deliveries increased 50% for singletons and 37% for twins. The percentage of cesarean deliveries for triplet and higher order deliveries remained high throughout 1996--2006, increasing slightly from 2000 to 2006.

SOURCE: National Vital Statistics System, 1996, 2000, and 2006. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/births.htm.

Alternative Text: The figure above shows the percentage of live births by cesarean delivery, by plurality, in the United States in 1996, 2000, and 2006. In 2006, the percentage was 72.9% for births in twin deliveries and 93.9% for births in triplet and higher order deliveries, compared with 29.6% for singleton births. From 1996 to 2006, the percentage of cesarean deliveries increased 50% for singletons and 37% for twins. The percentage of cesarean deliveries for triplet and higher-order deliveries remained high throughout 1996-2006, increasing slightly from 2000 to 2006.

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Date last reviewed: 5/21/2009