High Rates of C-Sections Worldwide

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34826186/ns/health-pregnancy/

In many countries worldwide, the rates of women giving birth by c-section is the highest its ever been. In China, almost half of all births are delivered by cesarean section, the world's highest rate according to a survey by the World Health Organization, which warned that the rise in unnecessary surgeries is jeopardizing women's health. A quarter of the c-sections in China were unnecessary.

Reasons that women choose to have c-sections instead of natural birth vary globally. In Asia, some women want to choose their delivery day, others fear painful natural birth or worry that their vaginas may be stretched or damaged by natural birth. Some believe that the operation is less risky.

The study found that women undergoing c-sections that are not medically necessary are more likely to die or be admitted into intensive care units, require blood transfusions or encounter complications leading to hysterectomies.