Why reducing unnecessary C-sections matters

[4 min read]

• Cesarean section rates have risen dramatically in the U.S. over the last five years. 
• The procedure can be lifesaving when medically necessary but research shows that with the right care and the right support, many pregnancies can result in a safe vaginal birth. 
• At Providence Swedish, physicians, nurses and doulas are supporting safe vaginal births whenever possible through shared decision making and individualized care.
• Learn more from a Providence Swedish maternal-fetal medicine expert. 

For many families, childbirth is one of life’s most meaningful moments. While cesarean sections (C-sections) are an essential and often lifesaving procedure, the care team at Providence Swedish are working to ensure they are used only when medically necessary.  
 
This commitment is part of a growing national effort to reduce low-risk primary C-sections, which involve first-time mothers carrying a single, full-term baby in the head-down position. Research shows that with evidence-based care and the right support, many of these pregnancies can result in a safe vaginal birth. 
 
The focus comes as C-section rates have risen dramatically over the past five decades. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the national C-section rate increased from about 5.5% of births in 1970 to 32.5% today. In Washington state, 30% of all births are delivered by C-section.  
 
At Providence Swedish, physicians, nurses and doulas are helping reverse that trend by supporting safe vaginal births whenever possible through evidence-based labor management, shared decision making and individualized care.

“C-sections are an important tool that can save lives when medically necessary,” said Katherine Eastwood, M.D., a maternal and fetal medicine specialist and obstetrician at Providence Swedish. “Our goal is to give every patient the safest possible birth experience. Sometimes that means a C-section, and sometimes it means allowing labor to progress naturally when it’s safe to do so.”  

Why reducing unnecessary C-sections matters 

A C-section is a major abdominal surgery that can be lifesaving when it’s medically needed. Like any surgery, however, it also carries risks. Compared with a vaginal birth, an unnecessary C-section may lead to: 

• A longer recovery after childbirth
• A higher risk of infection, bleeding and other surgical complications  
• Increased risk of complications in future pregnancies
• Delays in skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding in some cases
• A more challenging postpartum recovery

These risks are why care teams recommend C-sections only when the benefits outweigh the risks. 
 
Supporting safe vaginal births 
 
At Providence Swedish, care teams use evidence-based practices to support healthy vaginal births whenever it is appropriate. This includes closely monitoring labor, allowing labor to progress naturally when possible, and partnering with patients to make informed decisions throughout the birth process. 
 
One way Providence Swedish supports this approach is through TeamBirth, a care model which brings patients and their care teams together for brief huddles at key points during labor. These conversations encourage shared decision making, keep everyone informed, and ensure patients have a voice in decisions about their care. 
 
“Every pregnancy and delivery are unique,” says Dr. Eastwood. “While some parents will need a C-section, many can safely deliver vaginally with the right care and support. Every decision is guided by what’s best for the health and well-being of both the parent and baby.”  

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About the Author

There's a reason why more babies are born at Swedish every year than any other health system in western Washington - bringing babies into this world is our mission. The Swedish Pregnancy & Childbirth Team is committed to giving you relevant and actionable insights on how to care for yourself and your child as you navigate the trimesters of your pregnancy.

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