Cesarean Risks

by Kara Maia Spencer, www.MaiaHealingArts.com

 

Are women who opt for elective C-sections really being given informed choice? Do their doctors tell them that the risk of a baby dying from an c-section is three times greater than from a low-risk vaginal delivery? The New York Times reports that: Voluntary C-Sections Result in More Baby Deaths

This past Labor Day weekend, I acted in the Lane County Birth Network's  production of playwright Karen Brody's  BIRTH, as part of the BOLD movement. Twenty cities around the world produced the play as part of Birth On Labor Day, a global sharing of the play to increase awareness of mother-friendly maternity care, and raise money for local birth networks and organizations. After each show, we hosted a talk-back panel with an obstetrician, nurse-midwife, homebirth midwife, doula, mother, and midwifery researcher.

Each night, the panel focused on "what can we do to lower the Cesarean rate?", and every night this very topic covered in the New York Times article was addressed. The research shows that Cesarean surgery has a much higher risk of death to baby and mother. This very basic knowledge is rarely shared with women. When a women is given a C-section, the risk of her baby dying is TRIPLE that of a low-risk vaginal delivery.

Let's make sure every women really the real information - I recommend reading the Childbirth Connection free booklet: What Every Pregnant Women Needs to Know About Cesarean Section.  

Comments

[Patricia Smith]

Thanks for this post Kara.
I also want to bring attention to some of the things we discussed in our talk back.

How to reduce cesaren rates.
1. Choose a Midwife.
2. Pay OB/GYN's more to do unmedicated vaginal deliveries.
3. Educcation.. Informed Consent
Women need to know the risks of Cesarean Section before labor and delivery.
4. Nutrition
Helathier women, healthier babies.
5. Redesign our medical malpractice system.
1. again CHOOSE A MIDWIFE.

Thanks Again Kara.

Your site is awsome.

[Kara Maia Spencer]

Thanks Patricia!

Also, if you are going to the hospital:

-Hire a doula!
-Non-profit hospitals generally have lower c-section rates than for-profit hospitals.
-Ask if your hospital has nurse-midwives or a nurse-midwifery birth center. Many people aren't even aware of options within the hospital.