Since all Cesarean sections in the U.S are done in hospitals, I looked up some statistics about the national Cesarean rate. According to The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS)’s data brief of March 2010, “In 2007, approximately 1.4 million women had a cesarean birth, representing 32% of all births, the highest rate ever recorded in the United States and higher than rates in most other industrialized countries.” (Fay Menacker, NCHS Data Brief). 2007 was the most recent piece of data that was collected concerning cesarean rates, which raises makes me question why there is no data for anything more recent. Even though the U.S is well known for being an industrialized country, it is a disappointment that this country’s C-section rate is increasing The U.S. Cesarean rate has increased by 53% from 1996 to 2007. NCHS also shows specific statistics, showing that all backgrounds and ages ending up having C-sections have increased. What concerned me the most was that C-section rates for all gestational (the baby) ages have increased as well. “During the decade, the cesarean rate for early preterm infants (less than 34 completed weeks of gestation) increased by 36%. Rates for infants born late preterm (34 to 36 completed weeks of gestation) and term and over (37 or more completed weeks of gestation) rose by almost 50%.” (Fay Menacker, NCHS Data Brief.) The graph also shows that C-sections for babies less than 34 weeks were more common than babies of 37 weeks and older. In general though, C-section rates are alarmingly high for any ages (both baby and mother.) On a side note, the data brief also has C-section rates by state, if anyone is curious.
The C-section rate in the U.S is unbelievably high though it is an industrialized country. Why is it so high though? According to an article from USA Today, the reason why the rate is so high may be because doctors are impatient. “Nearly half of the C-sections in women who were induced and in women with a previous C-section were performed before their cervix was dilated 6 centimeters.”(Rita Ruben, USA Today) The article also mentions that some women may be active when their cervix is at 6 centimeters, and usually the cervix is fully dilated at 10 centimeters. This means many cesareans happen because Obstetricians are rushing to get their patients in and out of the hospital.
Impatience should not be a reason to conduct a surgical procedure, especially when it is unnecessary and carries risks. Some risks associated with C-sections for the mother are, “Infection, heavy blood loss, blood clots, nausea, vomiting, and maternal death (about 18 in 100,000-for emergency C-sections.” (Web MD, Cesarean Section-Risks and Complications). For the infant some risks are, “Injury during delivery, need for special care in the neonatal intensive care unit, immature lungs, and breathing problems.” (Web MD, Cesarean Section-Risks and Complications).
Based on this research it is reasonable to say that Obstetricians have selfish motives in conducting Cesareans, a procedure that should only happen when it is necessary. C-sections also carry health risks for the mother and baby, and again, should not be a procedure used so often.
Birth should not be treated as an illness where the most common solution is a cesarean section. Homebirths and midwives seem inviting, but it’s difficult to make an alternative decision when we're faced with the sad assumption that hospitals are the best way to go for giving birth. Is home birth really safer than hospital birth?
What many people do not realize (and something I didn’t know before the birth unit) is that there are different types of midwives. According to the American Pregnancy Association, there are at least five types of midwives: Certified Nurse Midwife, Certified Professional Midwife, Direct-entry midwife, certified midwife, and a lay midwife. APA has a great summary of each description.
(http://www.americanpregnancy.org/labornbirth/midwives.html)
I tried looking up statistics for homebirths but had trouble finding the actual statistics. This may just mean that hospitals are where the majority of births in the U.S happen so there's not enough data for home births.
Works Cited:
*Healthwise, . "Cesarean Section - Risks and Complications." WebMD. Healthwise, 24 02 2010. Web. 6 Apr 2011.
* Menacker, Fay. "Recent Tends in Cesarean Delivery in the United States." National Center for Health Statistics 03 2010. n. pag. Natality Data File.. Web. 6 Apr 2011.
*"Midwives." American Pregnancy Association (2011): n. pag. Web. 6 Apr 2011.
*Rubin, Rita. "Why has the USA's cesarean section rate climbed so high?." USA Today (2010): n. pag. Web. 6 Apr 2011.
Megumi,
ReplyDeleteYou examined the importance of c-sections, and the reason why it is chosen by women over natural birth even though it isn't a very good way to give birth. This was also an interesting topic that I looked into myself.
One aspect that I particularly valued was that you had well explained statistics on c-section rates in the United States.
A reason why your subject mattered to me was because I also looked into C-section rates in the United States as well as China because these rates were increasing even though C-sections have many harms.
-David.
From Mom:
ReplyDeleteI love your use of statistics and clear sources to support your claims surrounding the dangers of C-sections in the U.S. It's important to be aware and well informed about what the research says moreso than assuming what is safe just because society says so. I found this topic and post very interesting.
Megumi,
ReplyDeleteYou focused on c-sections in the United States, specifically how they have dominated the nations birthing process.
One aspect that I appreciated was how although you were revealing information that is not so great, you carried a very calm yet firm tone throughout your blog post. I found it interesting that you wove your own ideas into your piece while still incorporating the general statistics.
Your project matters to me because I was a c-section baby, and the more I hear about the procedure the more I question how I was brought into this world. While I also know at this point that some day I would like to have children and it is good to be informed of this information before you even have to think about a decision.
The only thing I would suggest working on is a better tie between each of your paragraphs. Although each paragraph was strong on it's own, there seemed to lack a strong connection between all of your points. However, I was very impressed with your blog post, keep up the good work!
Your fact backed, curiosity fueled look at cesarean sections was a nice read and without a doubt the most informative post I've read thus far. While we went into depth in this topic in class, you managed to compile the valuable facts and necessary information into one informative concise essay, very important in terms of educating the ignorant.
ReplyDeleteHi megumi,
ReplyDeleteThis is leticia
I liked how you focused on c- sections in the United States, and it became high practice in the birthing process.
While reading your blog I liked how you explained the statistics on C-section rates in the United States. And how you explained the statistics but you added your ideas, which made the blog more interesting.
This matters to me because, From reading your blog and doing some research on my mine. This makes me think about was it because they mother needed or was it because the doctors just wanted to do?
"Birth should not be treated as an illness where the most common solution is a cesarean section. Homebirths and midwives seem inviting, but it’s difficult to make an alternative decision when we're faced with the sad assumption that hospitals are the best way to go for giving birth. Is home birth really safer than hospital birth? "
ReplyDeleteI thought as well that it was safer to give birth in a hospital rather than home birth. Things such as movies and everyday society promotes birth at a hospital. The statistics gave this a even bigger meaning to the post itself and gave me a better idea on how it really is. I wish there was more recent data to see if this remains true, and your ideas as well made this post stand out as well.