A short history of the cesarean rate

Why did c-section incidence - fewer than 10% of births in the 1970s - rise in the 80s, fall in the 90s, and then rise again to where 1 out of 3 women give birth by cesarean today? The more I learn about it, the more I realize it's a pretty interesting story that says a lot about what shapes maternity care (hint: it's not always the evidence). The Well-Rounded Mama has a great post about the recent history of c-sections in the U.S.. It's completely worth reading, especially if you've been reading my posts and wondering "What's the deal with VBAC?"