Data on caesarean births in the United States are alarming

Modern medicine is a wonderful thing — without its benefits, many of us might not even be here. But there are times when it gets in the way of nature; one such example is found in the current national rate of pregnancies ending in caesarean section deliveries.The rate has been rising since the 1970s and is currently around 32 percent of all births in the United States.The issue came to light recently in a Washington Post article by a physician who never realized the pressure put on women to have c-sections until she was pregnant herself. Experiencing pregnancy, labor and delivery from the patient's perspective left her in shock.There are situations in which a c-section is a necessary and even life-saving operation for mother and/or baby.According to the World Health Organization, those should comprise 10-15 percent of all births. Why our rate is more than double that is a source of great concern.There are a few identifiable reasons for the increase in c-section rates: older moms (who are more likely to have sections than younger women), more obese moms, higher induction rates, better technology like fetal monitoring (leading to more interventions) and a trend toward repeat c-sections. Also, the more controlled, predictable surgical environment appeals to physicians — if anything goes awry during a delivery, the doctor can face a lawsuit.While there are inherent risks to surgery, it does allow the doctor more control.Childbirth has devolved to a "paper or plastic?" level – many women argue they have a right to decide their delivery method simply because it happens to their body, ignoring basic biology. One of the most ridiculous approaches is, "Why would I want to go through the pain of labor if I can just have a c-section?"What, exactly, do they think our bodies were designed to do? (Haters need not attack; I don't mean that we're only here to pop out babies. I mean in a purely biological sense, a woman's body is made to endure pregnancy and childbirth, as we've done for all of time.)We need to return to a time when c-sections were only performed when absolutely necessary. Experts say that about 3 percent of cesareans are completely elective and about 5 percent are emergencies; the rest fall into a gray area.C-sections have become so routine that people forget that it's major abdominal surgery. It involves risks — hemorrhaging, infections, blood clots, anesthesia complications, injuries to internal organs and increased risks to future pregnancies.Babies born via c-section are more likely to have breathing problems, require NICU stays, have depressed immune function and a higher risk for allergies and asthma later in childhood. The recovery period from a c-section is also much longer and more painful.From a financial standpoint, a cesarean delivery is significantly more expensive, as it requires use of the operating room, anesthesia, more staff and longer hospital stays.Personally, I have had three babies and delivered them all naturally; I consider myself extremely lucky to have avoided virtually any pressure to have c-sections. My doctors had personal c-section rates well below the national average, meaning they were less likely to recommend surgery unless it was essential.Even when my second child experienced wild heartrate fluctuations during labor, my highly experienced doctor didn't panic — seeing that labor was progressing quickly, he believed we could safely wait it out. (She was completely fine, but at nearly 41 weeks gestation, she just didn't tolerate labor well.)The number one goal of any delivery is a healthy baby and mother; though the means to that end is secondary, a negative experience in the delivery room can impact a mom for years. From a purely anecdotal standpoint, there is nothing more powerful and transforming than giving birth — an intangible factor that cannot be underestimated. I'm not particularly athletic and thought I was wimpy until I had babies.Very few good things in life come without some hard work, but I can't think of a better reward than a new baby.The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology has developed guidelines for reducing cesareans that are not medically necessary in hopes of decreasing the overall rates of sections, but awareness is vital. Expectant moms must consider all the facts and try to allow their bodies to do what they're designed to do.Don't fall victim to pressure from doctors – or anyone else – to have a surgical birth unless it is absolutely medically necessary.Rebecca Horvath of Johnson City is a wife, mother and community activist.