There is much debate regarding the high number of Cesarean sections performed in the United States each year, particularly because it’s a major surgery that is increasingly chosen out of convenience rather than necessity.
Once a woman has a C-section, she is usually forced to have the procedure for subsequent pregnancies because of the risks associated with what is known as VBAC (vaginal birth after C-section). VBAC can cause uterine rupture, oxygen deprivation to the baby (which can lead to brain damage and cerebral palsy) and even death.
According to an article in TIME Magazine, 1 in 2,000 babies die or suffer brain damage after VBAC – a statistic the author cites as low. However, one case of death or oxygen deprivation is one too many and these are the types of cases that can result in a medical malpractice lawsuit. Consequently, not a lot of doctors are willing to oversee a VBAC.
To read more about the ongoing debate and some of the issues confronting pregnant women, check out the article in the current issue of TIME Magazine online.