The new guidelines on C-sections recommend that hospitals and physicians review and reduce their cesarean delivery rates where appropriate. Experts say a C-section is the biggest risk factor for having another. If the surgical cut was in the lower abdomen as opposed to the upper abdomen, most healthy women can reportedly try vaginal delivery for their next baby as long as a surgeon is standing by for any necessary emergency surgery. The guidelines caution against surgery too early when a woman is experiencing slow labor. They also warn against giving the painkilling epidural too early, before the cervix is dilated 4-5 centimeters.
Officials say that increases a woman's C-section risk.
Doctors are also asked to consider trying to turn the baby headfirst by pushing onto the mother's abdomen before automatically operating. Critics say applying statistics to individual patients isn't good practice. Experts say it's best to choose a hospital with a lower C-section rate and to pick a doctor who's open to a second opinion.