The results of a recent study suggest that where you choose to deliver your baby may affect your chances of having a c-section.

An article describing the results of the study came out recently in the publication Obstetrics & Gynecology. The researchers interviewed health care providers from labor and delivery (L&D) units at 53 hospitals across the United States.

The researchers found that three factors may influence whether low risk delivering mothers end up having c-sections: 1) the management of L&D unit culture; 2) patient flow; and 3) nursing.

One suggestion from the article is for expecting mothers to ask a prospective hospital what their c-section rate is for low-risk women. The Department of health and Human Resources has said in the recent past that a rate under 24% is considered reasonable.

A recent 2016 survey in the Seattle found that the rate ranged from 18.9% at Highline Medical Center to 32.4% at UW Medical Center.

You can see how other local hospitals fared here:

[Consumer Reports Seattle Hospital Rankings](http://www.consumerreports.org/health/hospitals/ratings?state=WA)