This is primarily a problem in the USA. Women are being taught to fear the pain of labor and delivery, and are not being taught anything about Natural child birth, unless they seek out the info themselves.  The main problem is fear of litigation or being sued.  So the system goes overboard in thinking they know what is best for mom and baby, and mom has no say.  Mostly if you are young, ignorant, and on Medicaid. (Govt healthcare for very poor people who cannot afford health ins.)  Hospitals take advantage of those women and pull out all the stops when it comes to interventions, so they can supplement their incomes from the folks who are self pay, and simply cannot pay their bills.  They also automatically think that if you have narrow hips, you can not deliver a baby 8lbs or over, without a C-section.  I have 32 inch hips and had 3 large babies naturally in the 70's and 80's when it was popular to go to Lamaze classes and try and have the baby naturally in the hospital. They gave you pain meds through an IV if you asked, and didn't automatically do epidurals.

It's insanity and lack of common sense at it's best.  You can be sure I will be in the delivery room when my daughter has her baby in July.  I know the tactics, and they won't get away with them if I am there.  Mama Bears claws will come out if necessary...lol.   

I have no idea why or when a C-section become an elective procedure!!!.. I am a resident of Ontario, Canada abnd I know from my own personal experiences of friends and family, that they all either had natural births, or tried to for hours (15-32 hours).  The two that I do know that eventually had to have C-sections were due to the cord being wrapped around the neck several times (she stayed in the birth ward for 5 days afterwards.. in a private room which was provided) and the other had to have a c-section due to the birth weight being almost 11 pounds.. it wasn't possible for a natural birth.

I do know of families who have choosen their child's birthday due to scheduling their own c-section.. I don't understand where in the nature of life this seems natural...

I have a 5 yr old beautiful boy and I do agree that most doc.s don't follow client wishes. I had to demand a pelvic check due to my son "falling" when I was almost due. (layed up in a bed) I never had a hard labor thank the lord, but I started to dialate thursday and finished sunday and didn't know, I went to the hospital and had to wait  til someone could break my water. I didn't want the drugs or my son to leave my room and lot of different things they decided to do regardless of my wishes. feeding, bath, sleeping, healing, etc. Is there something you have to state when you go into labor? YES. this is your child and your body. don't keep quiet let your voice be known in the hospital, your lil one depends on it....Now he's an active boy with lots of love.