Understanding Cesarean Section
What you need to know.
Sep 22, 2009
Dec 16, 2021
Pregnancy & Postpartum
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The rate of cesarean section in this country has never been higher. Reasons for the drastic increase (50 percent in the past decade) are: greater monitoring in the delivery room (which increased the cesarean rate 40 percent with no significant drop in delivery-rated problems); higher medical malpractice premiums and higher rates of obesity. It seems that physicians are quicker to suggest and perform a cesarean, particularly in fist-time mothers. Since the trend these days is for women who have had one cesarean to deliver all subsequent babies the same way, the rate will likely continue climbing.
Overall estimates are that up to 18 percent of cesarean deliveries in the United States are elective—that is, performed without a clear medical need. It's important to know the facts about elective cesareans: Women and their babies are more likely to have birth-related complications than women who have vaginal births. They are also more likely to deliver babies too early. Regardless, there are times when a cesarean is necessary for women experiencing complications that make a vaginal birth unlikely or dangerous.
During a cesarean, the baby is delivered through an incision in the abdominal wall and uterus. Other things you should know: