Doctors warn of global C-section 'epidemic' reaching epidemic proportions

Doctors are often tempted to organise C-sections to ease the flow of patients through a maternity clinic [Courtesy]

Worldwide Caesarean section use has nearly doubled in two decades and has reached "epidemic" proportions in some countries, doctors warned Friday, highlighting a huge gap in childbirth care between rich and poor mothers.

They said millions of women each year may be putting themselves and their babies at unnecessary risk by undergoing C-sections at rates "that have virtually nothing to do with evidence-based medicine".