The number of cesarean sections being performed globally every year is increasing. But while cesarean sections can be lifesaving for both mother and baby, an increasing number of them aren’t being performed for a medical reason.
Fear of pain and misconceptions that cesarean sections are safe for the baby and more convenient are just some of the reasons women may opt to have one. But there are of course risks with having one—and our recently published study found that planned cesarean sections appear to have a negative impact on the baby’s development between four and 12 months of age compared to babies born naturally.