While nobody can no for sure what a healthy rate of cesaren births is, our country has crossed a thick black line in terms of violating women and children with the excessive and uneeded use of cesaren births. “The number of cesarean deliveries has increased from 5.5% of US births in 1970 to 29.1% in 2004, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.”
“Can a 29% cesarean delivery rate possibly be justified?” asks Robert Resnik, MD, in his editorial for Obstetrics & Gynecology (April 2006). Although a cesarean can be life-saving, this high percentage of cesarean deliveries is puzzling, given that vaginal delivery usually requires less medical intervention, has a faster recovery rate, and is associated with better maternal-child bonding. Resnik attributes the rise to the use of electronic fetal heart rate monitoring (EFM), which started in the 1960s, and to the increase in malpractice lawsuits shortly thereafter.
Furthermore, the prevalence of hysterectomy secondary to hemorrhage is ten times greater after cesarean delivery versus vaginal delivery.”
Source: Townsend Letter
Why the Increase in Cesarean’s?
I would wager to say the main reason is that it is far more profitable to perform a cesarean for the doctor and hospital. Unfortunately the needs of the mother and baby can be undermined in the male dominated ego-centered world of hospitals and doctors. Not all hospitals and doctors are so excessive. Check the cesarean rate of your hospital or doctor before committing to using them. That will tell you alot about whether they practice natural birth, or birth as a medical procedure.