What Would Caesar Do?

For those who pay attention to these sorts of things, interesting article on AlterNet today (via Women's eNews) about the rise in C-section rates in the U.S. and whether that number is getting just too high. According to the article,

"C-sections are being performed in the U.S. at a rate that far exceeds international recommendations. A clash over the high rate and related health issues has broken out between midwives and obstetricians."

Are we really surprised that the incidence of a procedure that earns hospitals exponentially more money than a non-invasive one (and reduces the risk of litigation to boot) has skyrocketed? I don't know how we can be... It's disingenuous of all of us--physicians included--to conduct this debate in terms that assume that "what's best" for the mother and child is the major determining factor in the choice between C-section and vaginal birth; my guess is, the bottom line feeds this equation as much, if not more, than any other consideration, and addressing that fact is really the more pressing issue--and the more socially damning one, when you look right at it.

Are Women Having Too Many C-Sections?