Caesarean sections-delivering the baby via an abdominal
operation-are at an all-time high, and a growing number of
doctors and mothers-to-be elect for C-sections as a convenient
alternative to birth. However, new evidence shows that C-section
babies are almost three times as likely to die in early infancy.
In late September of this year, researchers in the US dropped a
bombshell onto the cosy world of obstetrics. After analyzing the
records of nearly six million births, they advised that mothers
should think twice before choosing a caesarean section (CS) over
a natural birth. Quite simply, an artificial surgical delivery
could be putting the life of the newborn at risk. What the stark
American statistics revealed was that caesarean babies are
almost three times more likely to die within their first month
of life than naturally delivered babies (Birth, 2006; 33: 175).
And yet, caesarean births ('C-sections' in medico-speak) have
never been more popular. For an increasing number of mothers-to-
be, the ready avai