Cesarean Births Are on the Rise but Some Say They Are Not Always Necessary

Having a cesarean birth is not very uncommon in the United States anymore. According to a recent  ABC news story Nearly 1 in 3 babies in the U.S. is born via C-section. In the 1950s and 1960s, having a C-section was very  uncommon. Surgeons usually performed them only when a mother or babys life was in eminent danger. There are some situations in which performing a C-section is to be preferred, but thats major surgery. In most cases, the safest way, for mother and baby, is to deliver vaginally, said Dr. Marvin Lipman. If a womans first birth is a C-section, there comes about a 90 percent chance any births that will follow will also be C-sections. That doesnt have to happen. Many women whove had a C-section, especially with a low-transverse incision, are able to have a vaginal birth after a C-section. Thats known as a VBAC, Lipman said. Dr. Kim consults with many mothers who have had cesarean births. They often complain of the inability to flatten their stomach regardless of how many situps and muscle tightening exercises they commit to on a daily basis. Dr. Kim will typically recommend an abdominoplastycombined with liposuction to help these patients achieve the flat stomach that they desire. Dr. Kim will often tighten the abdominal muscle which is usually cut during cesarean birth. By tightening this muscle patients are able to enjoy an abdomen that is typically flatter than it was prior to the birth of their child.