Give natural birth a chance

The Beijing public health bureau has asked city hospitals to reduce the number of Caesarean sections. Last year, the Caesarean rate in Beijing was 51 percent, much higher that the 10-15 percent recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The picture is grim in the rest of China as well. Nearly half of all the babies born in the country are Caesarean deliveries, according to a WHO survey released last year.

China has one of the highest Caesarean rates in the world. Even though the Caesarean rate has increased in the United States, it is still only 31 percent, according to the WHO survey.