Cesarean sections rates have increased considerably in high- and middle-income countries in recent years. In Latin America the rates of surgical births reached 30% in Brazil, 40% in Chile, and 36% in Mexico. This essay describes the relationship of cesarean section with several mythological characters, presents a brief history of surgical births, and discusses the possible origin of its explosive increase. Among the factors associated to this epidemic we can mention economic incentives, a mounting supply of specialists, and the lack of comprehensive information on birth alternatives for pregnant women. The essay concludes with a call for a generalized control of this procedure based on evidence gathered through different kinds of interventions.

Asclepius Lucina Hygieia caesarean section Mexico

South and Central America economics literature human Mexico income Humans social status female Review pregnancy patient education developed country Chile medical specialist pregnant woman Brazil Mythology cesarean section