Choosing Caesarean

Electing to have your stomach cut open doesn’t sound like something many people would want to do—but when given the alternative of vaginal delivery, some moms-to-be think it sounds much less fearful.

Since 1996, C-sections have increased by 50%. Typically, the procedure is performed only when there are risk factors that could harm mother and/or child (these include diabetes, fetal distress, prolonged labor and some multiple births.) In today’s hectic world, however, many women are scheduling the surgeries in order to get in and out of the hospital more quickly and will less mess. Doctors are also more willing to perform the surgery because complications are more likely to arise with vaginal births.

C-sections are becoming a new cultural standard in a highly scheduled, control driven world. Did you choose a caesarean delivery? Is this trend good or bad for new moms? [Time]