Cesarean Sections: The Easy Way Out?

Ask any first time mom, and she'll probably tell you the same thing. Most of us only skimmed over the chapters on cesarean birth in the pregnancy book. Yet, over 30 percent of births in the U.S. were by c-section last year. Seems like a high number? The World Health Organization thinks so. In fact, they recommend rates of no higher than 15 percent in any country. This brings up many questions, namely, what constitutes the necessity of this procedure, and are patient-requested cesarean sections a serious danger?

Cesarean section, as defined by American Heritage Science Dictionary: A surgical incision through the abdominal wall and uterus, performed to deliver a fetus. According to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG), there are many reasons why a woman would need to deliver her child by cesarean section. If a woman is carrying more than one child, it may be necessary if the babies are being born too early or are in unfavorable positions for a natural birth. If a woman's labor is not progressing, if her blood pressure is too high, or if fetal heart monitors pick up on baby's distress, these may medically warrant a cesarean section being performed.

There is also a condition known as placenta previa, where the placenta is blocking the cervix, preventing the baby from exiting the uterus. Placental abruption is another dangerous condition where the placenta separates and cuts off the baby's oxygen supply, requiring immediate delivery. Other reasons include baby's size, being breech, and some maternal infections, such as HIV.