奇速英语

生育方式与健康

The World Health Organization says the use of surgical childbirth is growing worldwide. Surgical childbirth is when a woman gives birth with the help of a surgical(外科的) operation, also called a Caesarean section. WHO officials say the operation is becoming especially popular in what they call high- and middle-income countries.

Doctors may advise a Caesarean birth, known as a C-section, when normal childbirth would put the health of the mother or the baby at risk. But the United Nations agency says it is concerned about the possible abuse (滥用)of this life-saving surgery.

The World Health Organization is a strong supporter of Caesarean sections when they are justified (证明…正当)medically. The WHO notes that such operations can save lives. But it says mothers and their babies are put at risk of health problems when a Caesarean section is performed without a medical need.

Since 1985, health experts have set what they call the ideal rate for C-sections at between 10 and 15 percent of all births. New studies show when the rates go below 10 percent, more mothers and babies die because they are unable to get this life-saving treatment. These findings are confirmed by estimates from Africa. They show a link between low C-section numbers and high mortality(死亡率) rates during childbirth.

Yet studies show there is no evidence that death rates improve when the rate rises above 10 percent. In fact, Caesarean sections sometimes can have serious effects on the mother and her child.

Marleen Temmerman is the director of the WHO's Department of Reproductive Health and Research. She says that a C-section is generally a safe operation. But, she adds, health risks do exist. Dr. Temmerman is concerned about the increase in the number of unnecessary Caesarean sections being performed in both developed and developing countries.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that in 2013, 2,642,892 women gave birth naturally. That same year, 1,284,339 women chose a Caesarean section. The percentage of all U.S. births by C-section was 32.7%.