10/06/2026
As Doulas, our goal is to help women have the most physiologic birth experience they can possibly have (as closely as it aligns with the woman’s own birth goals, of course!) But why does it matter? Why are we so concerned with lowering overall cesarean rates?
👉Lowering unnecessary C-section rates matters because a cesarean delivery is a major abdominal surgery that carries higher short- and long-term risks than a vaginal birth without providing added health benefits when used on low-risk pregnancies.
👉Why Lowering C-Section Rates Matters
• Reduces overall health risks: Unnecessary surgeries expose mothers and babies to avoidable surgical and medical complications.
• Improves future pregnancies: Lower rates decrease severe long-term complications like abnormal placental attachment and uterine rupture in later pregnancies.
• Lowers healthcare costs: Avoiding unnecessary major surgeries reduces hospital stays, medication use, and intensive care admissions, lowering overall costs.
• Aligns with global standards: The World Health Organization notes that population-level C-section rates above 10% to 15% do not improve health outcomes and can cause harm.
👉Cons of C-Section Over Vaginal Birth
For the Mother:
• Longer recovery time: Healing takes 6 to 8 weeks for a C-section compared to 2 to 6 weeks for a vaginal birth.
• Surgical risks: Higher chances of heavy bleeding, blood clots, surgical injuries, and wound infections.
• Future pregnancy complications: Uterine scarring increases the risk of dangerous conditions like placenta previa (where the placenta covers the cervix) in later pregnancies.
• More intense postpartum pain: Recovery involves managing an abdominal surgical incision alongside newborn care.
For the Baby:
• Respiratory issues: Higher likelihood of breathing difficulties and temporary fluid in the lungs, which can lead to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions.
• Missing beneficial bacteria: Infants miss exposure to protective bacteria in the birth canal, which research links to a higher long-term risk of allergies, asthma, and obesity.
• Breastfeeding delays: Infants born via C-section may take longer to latch or experience delayed early breastfeeding initiation.
