Higher C-Section Rate Due to Malpractice Fears

Shannon Weidemann

Contributor

0 CommentsPrint ArticleSubscribe

The rate for Caesarean Sections in the Bay State rose from 31% in 2004 to 32% in 2005. That is about two thirds of all births. There were approximately 77,000 live births in the state in 2005.

Doctors cite many reasons for the increase including older women, multiple births, and malpractice fears. The more risk factors there are with a pregnancy, increases the likelihood that a doctor will recommend and perform a c-section. If a woman's first delivery is by c-section, then most subsequent pregnancies will be as well.