Time to re-think the idea that the “elective cesarian” is behind the rising rate of surgical births. According to an article in today’s Guardian, the rate may have more to do with the experience levels of the attending physician.
The controvery stems from second-stage labour cesarians that are often performed due to “failure to progress.”
Apparently, trainees and experienced doctors have very different ideas of what constitutes a “failure to progress.”

Dr. Sarah, a friend of mine whose expert commentary makes writing this blog an extra pleasure, gave birth to a beautiful little boy last week. After three hours of pushing, she had an emergency Cesarian Section. I’ve been planning an article on recovering from a c-section for a long time. I am writing it today for Sarah and her baby to welcome her to the world of motherhood.
A lot has been written about celebrities who have elective c-sections at 37 weeks to save their bellies from the worst of the stretching. Many people in the medical profession believe this has …read more