Texas C-section rate remains steady

The rate of cesarean births in Texas is more than the national average, according to new data.

By the numbers: In Texas, the 2023 C-section rate was 34.5%, according to provisional CDC data.

• C-sections accounted for about 134,000 of the 388,000 births in Texas last year.
• That rate has fluctuated less than 1% each year over the last eight years.

Zoom out: The national C-section delivery rate increased in 2023 to 32.4%, up from 32.1% in 2022, according to the CDC data.

• That's the highest rate since 2013 and the fourth annual increase after the rate generally declined from 2009-2019, says the CDC.
• The rates are well above the 10%-15% rate the World Health Organization considers " ideal ."

Yes, but: An increase in C-sections doesn't necessarily mean the rate of unnecessary procedures has risen.

• There are other factors at play, like sicker patients .

What we're watching: Expanding access to doula care could lower the rates of C-sections.

• Doulas are there for psychological support during the often-overwhelming labor process, and to help with birth positions that could avoid the need for a C-section.