Rising caesarean deliveries in Latin America: how best to monitor rates and risks
Policy brief
More and more women worldwide are delivering by caesarean section and a significant proportion of these surgical interventions are being performed without there being a clear medical indication. The rising rate of elective caesarean deliveries suggests that, in high- and middle-income countries, both health-care workers and their clients perceive the operation as a safe procedure. However, potential risks aside, the additional cost of medically unnecessary caesarean sections needs to be considered from a public health standpoint.