I couldn’t believe it when I heard it: An office assistant in my doctor’s office told me over the phone that the only way I could guarantee that my doctor would deliver my baby is if I had a scheduled caesarean section. Otherwise, I’d be subject to whoever was on call. Maybe my doctor; maybe not.

Hmm…And people wonder why C-sections are at an all-time high nationally and in Florida?

After the initial shock, I got mad. I’m not opposed to having a C-section – if I actually medically require one. In fact, I almost had an emergency C-section five years ago during labor with my son. I was carted away as nurses walked while dressing my husband in scrubs. My doctor zoomed into the operating room and in one swift movement someone handed him a scalpel. When he realized I hadn’t had an epidural, he decided to re-check the baby’s vital signs. They were up. He stopped and told me that I could have one more chance to deliver naturally. If the vitals dropped one more time, he would operate. I trusted him, and I gave birth within the hour.

Little did I know that my doctor’s decision – and the choice he gave me – few other doctors would make. Recent state figures show that 43 percent of births in Broward County and 41 percent in Palm Beach County were done by C-section in the year ended June 30, 2008. That’s far above the national average of 31.8 percent and greater than the state average of 39 percent.

Experts attribute the rise to fears of malpractice lawsuits, a rise in diabetes and obesity in pregnant women (which may lead to having bigger babies) and the medical belief that once a woman has a C-section, all subsequent births should be delivered via C-section.

Some things expectant moms should consider and discuss with their doctor should the word “C-section” come up during a visit:

Contrary to popular belief, C-sections actually cause more complications and side effects for the mother and baby than do natural births, according to researchers. And don’t forget: Recovery time after delivery is longer for C-sections.

The cost of a C-section is typically twice as much as a natural birth because it is a surgical procedure and requires a longer hospital stay.

The vast majority of women in Florida who deliver a baby via caesarean will likely deliver future babies through C-section. That’s because it’s rare to find doctors who will perform “vaginal birth after caesarean.”