Every year since 1983 no fewer than one in five American women has given birth
via major abdominal surgery.22, 34 Today one in four or 25 % of women have a
cesarean for the birth of their baby.22 The rate for first - time mothers may approach one in three.9 Studies show that the
cesarean rate could safely be halved.11 The
World Health Organization recommends no more than a 15 %
cesarean rate.34 With a million women having
cesarean sections every year, this means that 400,000 to 500,000 of them were unnecessary.No evidence supports the idea that
cesareans are as safe as vaginal birth for mother or baby.