Cesarean birth in the US is something mothers push for because they don't want the cosmetic consequences of a natural birth. I think technically they need a medical reason for it, but I'm guessing it's not too tough to qualify for it.
I have a guess here, in that children who don't travel down the birth canal aren't inoculated with certain bacteria from the mother that may be important in digestive and possible immune function. Just a guess assuming causation, but the mother's birth canal bacteria may play a role in child development.
"consider these findings of a 1996 medical study: Obstetricians in areas with declining birthrates are much more likely to perform cesarean section deliveries than obstetricians in growing areas – suggesting that when business is tough, doctors may try to ring up more expensive procedures."
They don't want they cosmetic consequences of a NATURAL birth?!?
Have you even seen someone who's had a C-section?
Two-piece outfits are usually not a part of their wardrobe afterward.
C-sections are terrible: scarring, risky, expensive, and having a far longer recovery period. Natural birth is no picnic, but compared to a C-section, it nearly is.
It's hard for me to believe anyone would prefer a C-section if it wasn't medically recommended.
Do you have any evidence for this claim? You seem to be making generalisations without any evidence at all.
As a personal anecdote, I have several girl friends of childbearing age, who have stated a preference for C-sections for cosmetic reasons, as well as all the (rightly or wrongly) associated pain/complications with a natural birth. (e.g. tearing down there). So I wouldn't say it's completely unheard of.
In contrast, my wife went with a natural birth. She's a vetinary surgeon though, and has done plenty of deliveries of both types, so I assumed she made that decision with some thought. She said the recovery period is much longer, and it'd be silly to risk surgery if you could possibly avoid it.
I have a guess here, in that children who don't travel down the birth canal aren't inoculated with certain bacteria from the mother that may be important in digestive and possible immune function. Just a guess assuming causation, but the mother's birth canal bacteria may play a role in child development.