Agency in Dominican Birth: Can Women in Region III Influence Exposure to Unnecessary Cesareans?
I spent summer 2015 in Region III of the Dominican Republic investigating its high cesarean rate. My goal was to analyze the role of women's agency in the region's cesarean use, and after a summer of investigation, I discovered that cesareans are largely undesired by women in Region III. This project has allowed me to conclude that further research is necessary to understand the role of the medical team and hospital administration in the overuse of this procedure.