Cesarean Rate Jumps to Record High; 1 in 3 Pregnant Women
Face Surgical Delivery
More Women Forced into Surgery; Few
Mothers Recognize They Can Reduce Their Risk of Surgery
Release Highlights:
- Cesarean rate continues at record high in the U.S.
- ICAN’s survey of U.S. hospitals reveals that roughly 50% either
formally or informally prohibit VBAC in their facility, contributing
greatly to the rising cesarean rate.
- March of Dimes releases report that elective inductions and
cesareans are responsible for rising late term premature birth rate.
- CDC releases report that states increases in non-medically
indicated cesareans are driven by obstetrical practice and not maternal
demand.
Ann Arbor, Michigan, March 20, 2009 – The
National Center for Health Statistics has reported that the cesarean rate has
hit an all-time high of 31.8 percent.
In Michigan, the cesarean rate in 2007
was 30.4 percent, with Michigan ranking twenty-eighth in the nation.
“Every pregnant woman in Michigan
should be alarmed by this rate,” said Gretchen Humphries, leader of the ICAN of
Ann Arbor chapter. “Otherwise healthy women and babies are being put at
unnecessary risk, given that at least half of all cesareans are avoidable.”
For the third year in a row, ICAN has
compiled a list of research from the past year that shows cesarean surgery
should be used more judiciously and that
The risks women assume when a cesarean
is performed continue to be illustrated by reports of maternal death, including Takea Harris, a
mother in New Hampshire who left a behind a son and Tina Hagenbuch, a mother in
Michigan who left behind 2 daughters and a son. All 4 children were released in good health
from the hospital.
In June, the March of Dimes published a
report showing that the continuing increase in late term premature births in
the U.S. is primarily explained by the continuing increase in elective cesareans. http://www.marchofdimes.com/printableArticles/22684_30185.asp.
These infants have
a greater risk of breathing problems, feeding difficulties, temperature
instability (hypothermia), jaundice, delayed brain development and death than
babies born at term.
“Mothers with elective primary
cesareans are more likely to experience longer stays, generate more costs and
are 2.3 times more likely to be rehospitalized in the first 30 days after
birth.” says Eugene Declercq, Ph.D., Professor of Maternal and Child Health at
Boston University School of Public Health.
“The likelihood of neonatal death is small but significantly higher in
elective cesareans.”
Another report released in June by The
CDC Reproductive
Statistics Branch, Division of Vital Statistics, National Center for Health
Statistics reported that increases in primary cesareans in cases of "no
indicated risk" have been more rapid than in the overall population and
seem the result of changes in obstetric practice rather than changes in the
medical risk profile or increases in "maternal request." Several
studies note an increased risk for neonatal and maternal mortality for
medically elective cesareans compared with vaginal births. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18456070
“All pregnant women are faced with important choices in their
pregnancies. It is critical for women to
understand what their choices are, and learn to spot the red flags that can
lead to an unnecessary or avoidable cesarean,” said Humphries.
ICAN’s collection of research
highlights from 2008 demonstrates the inherent risks of cesarean
including higher risks of hemorrhage, hysterectomy and other complications, a
higher chance of suffering from potentially fatal placental problems in
subsequent pregnancies, and babies having a higher chance of developing asthma
later in childhood. Research from 2008
also shows that VBAC continues to be a reasonably
safe birthing choice for mothers.
“The choice between VBAC and elective repeat cesareans isn’t between
risk versus no risk. It’s a choice
between which set of risks you want to take on,” said Humphries.
For
women planning a VBAC, ICAN has available a searchable database providing
information on the VBAC policies of every hospital in the United States that
provides maternity care and a feature allowing for feedback from
consumers. The database can be found at http://ican-online.org/vbac-ban-info
Women
who are seeking information about how to avoid a cesarean, have a
About Cesareans: ICAN recognizes that when a
cesarean is medically necessary, it can be a lifesaving technique for both
mother and baby, and worth the risks involved.
Potential risks to babies include: low birth weight, prematurity,
respiratory problems, and lacerations.
Potential risks to women include: hemorrhage, infection, hysterectomy,
surgical mistakes, re-hospitalization, dangerous placental abnormalities in
future pregnancies, unexplained stillbirth in future pregnancies and increased
percentage of maternal death. http://ican-online.org/pregnancy/home
For women who have
experienced a cesarean, who are working towards a VBAC, or simply want to know
how to prevent a first cesarean, ICAN of Ann Arbor (http://icanofannarbormi.org) is
available to provide resources and support.
For more information on how to get involved, contact:
Gretchen Humphries
(517) 745-7297
The International Cesarean Awareness Network, Inc. (ICAN)
is a nonprofit organization founded by Esther Booth Zorn in 1982.
ICAN's mission is to improve maternal-child health by preventing
unnecessary cesareans through education, providing support for cesarean
recovery, and promoting Vaginal Birth After Cesarean
(VBAC).
ICAN of Ann Arbor was formed in January of 2004. At our monthly meetings, women receive the mother-to-mother support they need to avoid unnecessary major surgery, recover from surgical birth, and plan their upcoming births. For meeting dates and times go to Upcoming Events. For more information or support, call (517) 745-7297.
