Time trends in caesarean section rates and associations with perinatal and neonatal health: a population-based cohort study of 1 153 789 births in Norway.

CS rates in Norway increased between 1999 and 2008, followed by a significant reduction between 2008 and 2018. At the same time, fetal and neonatal mortality rates decreased. Norwegian obstetricians and midwives have contributed to maintaining a low CS rate under 17%. These findings indicate that restricting the use of CS is a safe option for perinatal health.