Mexico has seen a steady increase in cesarean deliveries, raising concerns about neonatal health and prompting new policies aimed at promoting evidence-based maternal care. According to a national study, over half of births in 2023 were performed via cesarean section, well above the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended threshold of 15%. Experts say the trend is not solely a clinical issue but reflects economic incentives, hospital practices, and systemic changes in obstetric culture.
A study led by the National Institute of Public Health (INSP) analyzed birth data from 2010 to 2023, revealing that the national cesarean rate rose from 45% to 55% over the period. Researchers report a “leftward shift” in gestational age, with full-term births at 39 weeks declining from 66.5% to 57.7% and early-term births…