According to a HealthGrades report, the Cesarean section rate in the U.S. rose from 27 percent of single births to 34 percent between 2002 and 2009. The HealthGrades website states, “we are committed to empowering women with the most trusted, objective information on maternity care.”
The HealthGrades 2011 Obstetrics and Gynecology in American Hospitals Report also evaluated the quality of care over a period of three years. The evaluation was conducted in 19 states where patient outcome data is available to the public. The best performing hospitals in these states were given a 5-star rating by HealthGrades. Of the 19 states studied, 7 percent of women experienced an in-hospital complication. If these hospitals performed at a 5-star level, 32 percent of these complications might have been prevented.
Divya Cantor, MD, MBA and HealthGrades Senior Physician Consultant, said, “Women today have a wide array of options when it comes to reproductive health and choosing a health care provider who aligns with their personal preferences. From pregnancy to childbirth to more serious interventions such as hysterectomy, surgeries to treat incontinence, ovarian and other cancers of the reproductive organs, women can optimize their chances for receiving the highest possible care by researching and comparing the clinical outcomes of hospitals and doctors in their area.”
The highest c-section rates were reported in Florida at 38.6 percent and New Jersey at 38 percent. The lowest rate of c-section was in Utah at 22 percent. The HealthGrades report revealed of the 19 states studied, 9 percent of women undergoing gynecological surgery had in-hospital complications. If hospitals performed at a 5-star level, about 35 percent of these complications might have been prevented.
While c-section surgeries continue to rise, there are fewer hysterectomies being performed in hospitals. Whether women deliver vaginally or by c-section, there is always a risk of health concerns to the mother and baby.
US News and World Report indicates medical director of the March of Dimes, Dr. Alan Fleischman, said the report finding were “quite dramatic” but “not surprising.” Fleischman stated, “We at the March of Dimes have great concerns not just about the rate, but about what’s driving it.”
The report indicated reason for the growing number of c-section deliveries include obesity, diabetes, increase in multiple births, women giving birth later in life and common labor practices. Other factors contributing to more cesarean deliveries include convenient timing for the parents or doctor, willingness to perform the procedure and women who request it, fear of malpractice for not performing a c-section and lack of understanding of the possible serious complication of this birth method.
Fleischman further stated, “Cesarean section should be done at the right time and for the right reason. Some cesarean sections are being done too early and not for the right reason. Convenience for the woman or her doctor isn’t the right reason.”
Potential complications from cesarean delivery include excessive bleeding, blot clots, infection, a longer recover time and possible injuries to the bowel, bladder and uterus. Infants delivered before term can have problems such as breathing issues and even death. Allowing a delivery to go to term is typically best for the mother and fetus.
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