Things You Can Do to Avoid an Unnecessary Cesarean

The Public Citizen Health Research Group in Washington, D.C. has estimated that half of the nearly 1 million Cesareans performed every year are medically unnecessary. With more appropriate care during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, these Cesareans could have been avoided. Clearly, there are times when a Cesarean is necessary; however, Cesareans increase the risk to both mothers and babies. Here are suggestions of things you can do to avoid an unnecessary Cesarean and to help ensure that your birth experience is as healthy and positive as possible.