Caesarean section (CS) rates are rising in urban hospitals in Nepal. However, the reasons behind these rising CS rates are not well understood. Therefore, this study explores contributing factors to rising CS rates in two urban hospitals and seeks strategies to make rational use of CS. The data is comprised of Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) transcripts with pregnant women in antenatal clinics,  and interview transcripts with doctors, nurses, midwives and key informants.