While C-sections are necessary in many instances, performing the surgery has its risks, such as causing the uterus to rupture and resulting in dangerous abnormalities in the placenta during later pregnancies.

 

Various reasons have been offered to explain why Caesarean births have steadily gone up since 1996. But one of the most alarming has to do with malpractice. Obstetricians are increasingly recommending C-sections to limit their liability in lawsuits. One survey of obstetricians revealed 29% of doctors were performing more Caesareans because they feared getting sued.

 

The 32% Caesarean rate in the U.S. is not the highest in the world. That distinction goes to China and Puerto Rico, where the rate is approaching 50%. The World Health Organization and some U.S. health agencies have suggested the rate should be around 15%.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

 

Caesarean Births Are at a High in U.S. (by Denise Grady, New York Times)

Recent Trends in Cesarean Delivery in the United States (by Fay Menacker and Brady Hamilton, National Center for Health Statistics)

C-Section Rates Around Globe at ‘Epidemic’ Levels (Associated Press)