Preliminary data for 2009 from the Centers for Disease Control confirm that the cesarean rate rose for the 13th consecutive year to a rate of 32.9 percent. Three out of ten babies are born surgically, even though the World Health Organization (WHO) maintains that cesarean rates exceeding 10-15 percent result in more harm than good. The VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) rate fell once again to an all-time low of 8.5 percent. Women are not informed of the risks of repeat cesarean surgery for themselves and their babies and they may not be offered the option of VBAC, which is safer in most cases.
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