question about babies

Has anyone else noticed the number of babies delivered by cesarian dramatically increase lately? Seems like every baby I know...(and lately thats been a lot!).

What the reason for this? Do doctors do it to hike up the price? It is just the easy way out (for the doc)?

I'm not in the baby zone yet, but when the time comes I don't want a cesarian-happy doctor. Of course I understand the need in some emergency cases, but it seems to be happening everywhere.

Any insights?

the friends/family are all over the country, so its not the same doctor. I'd say only mom is tiny - and the babies were generally small (6-7lbs).

Glad its not an epidemic - but it seems like a strange coincidence.

I do think that there are doctors out there with a certain way of thinking. Youre right about that. and this doesnt give the moms the opportunity to express their opinions or put their foot down, or even know what their options are.
For example, my cousin had a c-section for baby #1, the reason being that he didnt fit through her birth canal (they did 'give it a chance' the natural way, she pushed for i think an hour and then they went for the cs.) She is now pregnant w # 2 , and from the day she found out she was pregnant, her Doc told her to think about when she would like to schedule her next c-section. I really think this mode of thinking (if you had one with the first...) is from way back in the 70's. She has a choice in which way she delivers this time. There is something called VBAC (Vaginal Birth After C-Section) and her doctor didnt even bring this to her attention. I dont know the specifics about VBAC, but I do think she should have been told about it. Her 'giving in' to a planned c-section so far in advance is something that didnt have to happen. She wants to try natural, but is also a bit scared about the 'what if's' that her dr has mentioned to her. (They usually say to wait one year after a cs to have another baby). It will be almost 2 years for her, and they are telling her that her uterus can rupture. I really dont know the facts to back up either side of that argument, but she should have been told her option from the start. Not just one side.

Thats why we have to educate ourselves, now that we have the internet, we can find out as much as the doctors know !

::: BABY DUST TO ALL :::::::::::

I noticed the same thing and a friend of mine (who wanted totally natural wound up having C-section) is that many doctors try to persuade moms to do c-section b/c it means less chance of malpractice for doctors. It's much quicker to get the baby out c-section from what she told me.

She was very determined to have natural childbirth and is still very upset with the doctor for doing the c-section. She was given a drug during labor that she things caused her to have to have c-section. So it's very important to have a birthing plan and stick to you guns or have someone there who has your plan and can work for you while you are in labor.
Like some of you said -- it's important for us to be educated.

during my appt w/ the midwives and only 5% of the babies they deliver is by c section.
Makes me feel a LOT better.
Was advised to start thinking about a birth plan...and I asked about the diff coaching classes 'lamaze, bradley,etc' and was told it was still a bit early for me to register. Must wait until sept or so....

How can I make up my mind now on whether or not I will want/need an epidural? argh!