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Why is the U.S. cesarean rate so high?
In an updated Fact Sheet from Childbirth Connection, reasons for the country’s current rate of 32.8% (nearly 1 in 3 birthing women!) are considered. A number of reasons are cited including: low priority of enhancing women’s own abilities to give birth; side effects of common labor interventions; refusal to offer the informed choice of vaginal birth (e.g., for VBAC or breech births); casual attitudes about surgery; variation in professional practice style; limited awareness of harms that are more likely with cesarean section; and incentives to practice in a manner that is efficient for providers. Read more.
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