ABSTRACT
The cesarean delivery rate in the United States has reached epidemic proportions. The fact is that America has fallen in love with machines, computers, tools, and gadgets. One of the long held principles of obstetrics has been that the cesarean section rate was inversely proportional to the quality of obstetrics practiced. Doctors are concerned about the threat of malpractice suits if a cesarean is not performed and the outcome is a "less than perfect baby". There is increased use of cesarean delivery for cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD), failure to progress, and breech presentation. Birth weight is cited as a reason for the rising cesarean birth rate. Vaginal delivery following cesarean section is neither unique nor experimental. In "Complications of Cesarean to Mother and Infant", Madeleine Shearer summarizes the physiologic costs of cesarean section to the mother. Cesarean newborns exhibit problems such as a greater intracellular water content, wet lung, lower blood volumes, and lower plasma levels.
