According to preliminary birth data from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), cesarean section rates in the United States hit an all time high of 31.1% of all births in 2006. This marks a 3% increase since 2005, and a startling 50% increase over the past decade. Some of this increase is accounted for by an increase in elective c-sections in first time moms.

According to a news release from the NCHS, other troubling statistics also showed up on the 2006 preliminary birth data:

bullet graphicThe preterm birth rate rose slightly between 2005 and 2006, from 12.7 percent to 12.8 percent of all births. The percentage of births delivered before 37 weeks of gestation has risen 21 percent since 1990.

bullet graphicThe low birthweight rate also rose slightly in 2006, from 8.2 percent in 2005 to 8.3 percent in 2006, a 19 percent jump since 1990.

The question is why? If we can keep a 22 weeker alive, why can’t we keep babies inside their mothers, growing and healthy? And why oh why would a woman possibly want to schedule major abdominal surgery instead of pushing their baby out like nature intended?

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