The Risks of Lowering the Cesarean-Delivery Rate

Abstract

In 1995, the rate of cesarean delivery in the United States was 21 percent.¹ The goal of Healthy People 2000, a project of the Department of Health and Human Services, is to reduce this rate to 15 percent by the year 2000.² The advantages of a safe vaginal delivery over a cesarean delivery are clear: a vaginal delivery is associated with lower maternal and neonatal morbidity, and it costs less. We contend that these advantages apply only to safe vaginal deliveries and that reducing the rate of cesarean delivery may lead to higher costs and more complications for mothers and . . .