Jacqueline Wolf
Between 1965 and 1987, the cesarean section rate in the United States rose precipitously—from 4.5 percent to 25 percent of births. By 2009, one in three births was by cesarean, a far higher number than the 5–10% rate that the World Health Organization suggests is optimal. While physicians largely avoided cesareans through the mid-twentieth century, by the early twenty-first century, cesarean section was the most commonly performed surgery in the country. What were the unintended consequences of this practice?
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SHR # 2473 :: Cesarean Section: An American History of Risk, Technology, and Consequence
Show Notes:
[3:38] the first C-section in the U.S.
- Ancient times: C-sections were used as an insurance of heritage lines.
- 1980’s C-sections became normalized.
- Jackie Kennedy had 5 children by C-section. Only 2 lived.
- Now: 33% of childbirths are by C-section.
[8:51] Why do doctors go straight to c-sections on subsequent births after an initial C-section?
- This is not standard practice anymore.
[11:08] Benefits of vaginal birth.
- Good for the pulmonary bag.
- C-section babies are born with wet lung. This correlates with a higher rate of asthma.
- Vaginal birth also modulates the microbiome of the child. This is associated with lower rates of allergies.
- Breast fed children are the least likely to get sick.
[27:52] The normalization of C-sections.
- C-sections cost ~ 2x as much as vaginal birth.
- Brazil is at 55% of childbirths being C-sections. This is the highest rate in the world.
[41:20] The correlation of C-sections and autism.
[42:29] News of birth defects in the 60’s.
- There was a lot of fear about natural birth defects in the media.
[49:36] C-sections can be lifesaving.
- Better guidelines for approval are needed.
[54:33] Transference of the mother’s microbiome after a C-section?
[57:55] What can women do?
- Consider mid-wives.
- Do not get induced unless there is a legitimate medical reason for doing so.
- Labor as long as possible at home.
