Is the growing trend for cesarean sections a cause for concern?

Cesarean section is one of the most common surgical operations performed on women worldwide, and rates are increasing in all developed countries. There are many proposed causes of the increased rates. Although much safer than in the 1500s when it was first performed, cesarean section is still associated with significant short-and long-term morbidity for a woman and her infant. The issues of maternal obesity, induction of labor, continuous fetal heart rate monitoring in labor, vaginal birth after cesarean section, decision-making for the primary cesarean section and cesarean section for nonmedical indications must be addressed if we are to curb the concerning increase in this procedure.