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A C-section Baby Boom

Why Cesarean Delivery
Is on the Rise

By Alexandria Powell

Finally, there's the issue of VBAC. VBAC, or vaginal birth after Cesarean, became accepted practice in the 1990s. But VBAC rates have dropped dramatically, declining 67 percent in the last decade. This is due to recent studies that call the safety of VBAC into question – about 1 in 100 women may be at risk for uterine rupture during a VBAC, which can have devastating consequences – and subsequent liability concerns.

Rebecca Alfano had a C-section in 2003 due to an infection she developed late in pregnancy. "My experience was absolutely horrible," says Alfano of Cary, N.C. Alfano developed severe adhesions following the surgery, which in effect bound her uterus and bladder to her abdominal wall. In order to relieve the almost constant pain, she recently underwent a full hysterectomy at the age of 32. "[A C-section is] major surgery," says Alfano. "Things can go wrong."

While complications as severe as Alfano experienced are relatively rare, a Cesarean does carry all the risks of any major surgery. "Any time a C-section is done, there is an increased risk of [complications such as] anesthesia complications, higher blood loss, higher risk of infection and a higher risk of blood clots," says Dr. Robert Atlas, chair of obstetrics and gynecology at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, Md.

Your risk of complications increases as the number of Cesareans you've had increases, says Dr. Atlas. For instance, scarring in the uterus can lead to problems with the placenta in subsequent pregnancies, problems that can be truly life threatening. "Many OBs feel that if you're going to have one or two children then sure, have a C-section. However, you ought to think twice about more than that," adds Dr. Atlas.

Want to see more?

• Obesity and C-sections: Is There a Link Between the Two?
• A Guide to C-section Births: What Dads Need to Know
• Bottoms Up: Dealing With Breech Babies
• Talk about it!

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