Every year, nearly one of every three babies born in the U.S. are delivered by cesarean section (C-section). Is that too much? A recently released study from Consumer Reports suggests C-section births in the U.S. are at epidemic levels.
Too Many C-Sections in U.S.
The World Health Organization has stated that the ideal C-section rate for any country is between 10-15 percent of that county’s birth rate. Here in the U.S., the C-section rate is 33 percent. Even more eye-catching is the fact that 221 U.S. hospitals were found to have C-section rates higher than the already dangerously high 33 percent.
Interesting note: six New York hospitals opted to withhold their C-section rates from the report.
The rate has skyrocketed so much that, in 2014, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology attempted to rein in the number of C-section procedures.
Why Be Concerned With Number of C-Sections
When they are necessary, C-sections can be especially effective in preventing the lives of the baby and the mother. When they are not necessary, though, there is no evidence to suggest any health-related benefits of having the procedure. In other words, it may be a case of unnecessary surgery.
While most mothers who do have C-sections recover from the procedure, it takes a bit more time – the average hospital stay for C-section mothers is three (3) days.
Why Have a C-Section
While many decisions to opt for a C-section are made on the spot in the delivery room, many others are planned ahead of time – especially when there is a known medical problem that could potentially cause problems in the delivery of the infant.
Common medical reasons for having a C-section include:
- Incorrect birthing position of infant – any position that is not head-down)
- A lowered supply of blood and oxygen to the baby before birth
- Infant is larger than average
- Multiple babies in the womb
Dangers of Having a C-Section
Again, there are times when a C-section makes the best sense during a delivery. But just as with any surgical procedure, C-sections are not without risk. Possible complications to the mother include
- Heart attacks
- Blood clots
- Sepsis (an infection complication that can be life-threatening)
- Hemorrhaging
Risks to the baby include physical injuries that could be long-lasting, deprivation of oxygen and fractures.
The Fitzgerald Law Firm Can Help You
If you’ve had a C-section delivery and you or your baby are experiencing problems, you need the expertise of an attorney skilled in medical malpractice and birth injury law. We’ve successfully handled birth injury cases for well over 40 years, and we can help you. Contact The Fitzgerald Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation by calling 800-323-9900.