ABSTRACT
Global rates of cesarean births (CBs) have increased dramatically over past decades. Cesareans have become normalized in affluent and industrialized nations as well as in a number of low-to-middle-resource countries, especially in private hospitals. The literature on non-medically-indicated cesareans shows that doctors may use their authority and power to convince women to plan a CB in advance when that benefits the obstetrician. Countries with exceedingly high CB rates have seen an increase in mortality and morbidity, for example in Brazil. The surrounding birth environment can impact and influence women’s pregnancy and birth experiences. While a majority of women preferred vaginal delivery, some preferred CB. Delivering by cesarean can jeopardize the health and wellbeing of a mother and her child, both in regards to short-term risks and long-term health outcomes.
