We are a country of caesarean sections. The National Center for Health Statistics [1] reports that approximately 1.2 million C-sections were performed in 2004, which makes up 29.1 percent of all births for that year. That's an increase from 27.5 percent in 2003 and 20.7 percent in 1996.

According to the AP [2] [via Washington Post], the increase is first attributed to malpractice fears, then to the changing preferences of mothers and doctors and then to the risk of attempting a natural or vaginal birth after already having had a Caesarean (VBAC [3]).

That healthy first-time, full-term pregnancies are falling prey to the C-section frenzy is of particular concern. Two of my girlfriends, both strong, healthy first-time moms under 32 planned for vaginal births, but had unexpected C-sections.

All this even though the government announced a national goal in 2000 of reducing C-sections to 15 percent by 2010. Today the rate is 24 percent and rising.

It is still possible to have a natural birth. Doulas [4], midwives [5] and nurse-midwives [6] can help.