lly or completely covers the cervix), or cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD, meaning that the head is too large to fit through the pelvis) can also produce the need for a cesarean section to be performed.” In all of these cases, if no cesarean is performed, a high probability exists that the child and/or the mother will die during the labor process. It is because of this possibility that cesareans are often over-diagnosed and that many women overlook the inherent risks of a cesarean. According to the Public Health Citizen’s Research Group (1996), 967,000 cesareans were performed in 1989 in the United States alone. The PHCRG goes on to state, “Cesarean rates quintupled in the United between 1969 and 1989 to 23.8%.” This is a frightening statistic considering the fact that the World Health Organization claims, “No region in the world is justified in having a cesarean rate greater than 10 to 15 percent.” Even more distressing is the findings of the PHCRG. They discovered (1996) “that over one-half of the cesareans performed in the United States are unnecessary.” Such information is disheartening when coupled with the statements of the American Medical Association. They state (1994), “Unnecessary cesarean sections yearly result in 25,00 serious infections, 1.1 million extra hospital days and a cost of over $1 billion, not to mention the death of about 500 women a year from bleeding, infections and other complications of cesarean sections.” The high probability of maternal or fetal death without the help of a cesarean is also responsible for mothers overlooking other risks and side effects. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (1997), “A cesarean section poses documented medical risks to the mother's health, including infections, hemorrhage, transfusion, injury to other organs, anesthesia complications, psychological complications, and ...
