A group of Hudson Valley moms rallied Monday afternoon in White Plains for safer birth practices.

Mothers and children from across the Hudson Valley gathered in Downtown White Plains today for the third annual Rally To Improve Birth.

Organizers say the maternal health care system in New York state is in a dire state, especially in Westchester. 

They say the U.S. maternity care system is in crisis, and that the cesarean section rate is at an all-time high.

According to reports, Westchester County has the highest C-section rate in New York state at 41.7 percent.

"C-sections are good when they save lives," says Christina Carino-Forest, of Improvingbirth.com. "When they are medically necessary, they are important and good. When they are used in excess and not when it's necessary, that's when it becomes dangerous for moms. There's a lot of risks associated with having a C-section."

The rally is just one of hundreds taking place around the nation and world today.