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Cesarean sections for high‐risk births: health, fertility, and labor market outcomes

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  • Hanna Mühlrad

Abstract

A cesarean section (C‐section) is common practice in complicated deliveries that otherwise carry risk of severe complications. However, C‐sections themselves carry risks, as do all major surgical procedures. In this paper, I examine the causal effects of C‐sections on child and maternal outcomes in a population of high‐risk deliveries, namely breech births. To capture the causal effect of C‐sections, I exploit an information shock to the medical community on the effectiveness of the procedure. Using Swedish administrative data, I find that C‐sections improve the health of children at birth and during childhood. I find no significant impacts on maternal morbidity or labor market outcomes.

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  • Hanna Mühlrad, 2022. "Cesarean sections for high‐risk births: health, fertility, and labor market outcomes," Scandinavian Journal of Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 124(4), pages 1056-1086, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:scandj:v:124:y:2022:i:4:p:1056-1086
    DOI: 10.1111/sjoe.12474
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    1. Bachner, Florian & Halla, Martin & Pruckner, Gerald J., 2024. "Do Empty Beds Cause Cesarean Deliveries?," IZA Discussion Papers 16981, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).

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