Watch out moms-to-be: C-sections are on the rise in Florida

I couldn’t believe it when I heard it: An office assistant in my doctor’s office told me over the phone that the only way I could guarantee that my doctor would deliver my baby is if I had a scheduled caesarean section. Otherwise, I’d be subject to whoever was on call. Maybe my doctor; maybe not.

Hmm…And people wonder why C-sections are at an all-time high nationally and in Florida?

After the initial shock, I got mad. I’m not opposed to having a C-section – if I actually medically require one. In fact, I almost had an emergency C-section five years ago during labor with my son. I was carted away as nurses walked while dressing my husband in scrubs. My doctor zoomed into the operating room and in one swift movement someone handed him a scalpel. When he realized I hadn’t had an epidural, he decided to re-check the baby’s vital signs. They were up. He stopped and told me that I could have one more chance to deliver naturally. If the vitals dropped one more time, he would operate. I trusted him, and I gave birth within the hour.

Little did I know that my doctor’s decision – and the choice he gave me – few other doctors would make. Recent state figures show that 43 percent of births in Broward County and 41 percent in Palm Beach County were done by C-section in the year ended June 30, 2008. That’s far above the national average of 31.8 percent and greater than the state average of 39 percent.

Experts attribute the rise to fears of malpractice lawsuits, a rise in diabetes and obesity in pregnant women (which may lead to having bigger babies) and the medical belief that once a woman has a C-section, all subsequent births should be delivered via C-section.

Some things expectant moms should consider and discuss with their doctor should the word “C-section” come up during a visit:

Contrary to popular belief, C-sections actually cause more complications and side effects for the mother and baby than do natural births, according to researchers. And don’t forget: Recovery time after delivery is longer for C-sections.

The cost of a C-section is typically twice as much as a natural birth because it is a surgical procedure and requires a longer hospital stay.

The vast majority of women in Florida who deliver a baby via caesarean will likely deliver future babies through C-section. That’s because it’s rare to find doctors who will perform “vaginal birth after caesarean.”

POSTED IN: Anne Vasquez (44)

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Comments

Check out The Business Of Being Born. Good documentary about this issue, gives some historical context as well.

Posted by: Sarah Dussault | September 30, 2009 11:19 AM

Don't do it!

I had an emergency c-section last year after 13 hours of labor. The official reason was because they thought the umbilical cord was wrapped around my baby's foot. But since I was also induced, we found it interesting that my doctor was constantly urging my nurse to speed up the process. Afterwards, when we had time to reflect on the situation, my husband and I believe that maybe we had been set up.

Not only was it harder to recover from the surgery, but I also had problems trying to breast feed. I blame the C-section for my milk being delayed till the fifth day after delivery.

And now, thanks to my doctor, I will always worry about uterine rupture for my next pregnancy.

My advice: Seek a midwife or a doula to help ensure you get your wish. Doctors tend to overlook your wishes and lean towards the scalpel.

Posted by: Belinda Long-Ivey | September 30, 2009 4:57 PM

A new report I read through the Children's Services Council of Palm Beach County on birth outcomes shows just how true it is that C-sections are increasing greatly. You can see it at http://cache.trustedpartner.com/docs/library/000238/PUBbirthoutcomeud2009.pdf

Posted by: MissInfo | October 1, 2009 5:26 PM

First of all, I'm surprised that the woman that wrote this article was so enraged because she was told that her doctor might not deliver her baby. I thought is was common knowledge that doctors, like everyone else, take vacations, go to wedding receptions and have a life. Of course you can't guarantee that your doctor will deliver your baby, you can't predict when you'll go into labor. Your doctor can't predict when you'll get pregnant, he/she could have scheduled a vacation a year in advance before you were even pregnant that happens to fall during the time frame when you will most likely have your baby. Was it horrifying that scheduling a c-section was offered? I guess that would be a good topic to explore. In this society of technology and instant gradification people are even scheduling childbirth.

I delivered twins via c-section two years ago. My milk came in with 48 hours (completely normal), my twins never went to the NICU and my recovery seemed the same as my friends that delivered vaginally . In fact, my recovery was easier then some of theirs. I have a friend that had to be wheeled down to the nusery to see her baby because her vaginal delivery was so severe (3rd baby for this mom). And I've heard many stories from others that had to sit on doughnuts and take stool softeners for months after their vaginal deliveries. I had none of those issues.
The report from Palm Beach county highlights the dangers of c-sections that are performed pre-term. It does not actually state that the sugery itself is causing harm to infants, it talks about how babies born even one week early can have complications.This would be relevent to the "instant gratification" topic. People just can't wait for nature to take its course.
Each delivery is different. If you don't think your doctor has your best interest in mind, then you should make a change. But the idea that a mother should insist on a vaginal birth dispite the expert's recommendations is dangerous. And focusing on a vaginal birth instead of the idea of bringing home a healthy baby can lead to disappointment and depression if it doesn't work out that way.

Keep an open mind, ask lots of questions and change doctors if you're not comfortable. And let's face it, even if you do everything right, nature still might throw you a curve ball.

Posted by: Michelle | October 5, 2009 12:25 PM

Was anyone else disappointed with Ponder’s performance, just from a pure statistical perspective?

I feel like he was starting to get some recognition but now the fools will the votes and media voice will only see the stats? (i.e. seeing 2 INTs not realising how they happened)

This is not to say that his stats are not amazing on the year as a whole.

Posted by: Vitamins | November 17, 2009 6:34 AM

There are way too many c-sections these days. The World Health Organizations says that we should be between 10-20%. The U.S. has a much higher maternal and infantile death rate than most other developed countries!!! This is directly linked to our c-section rate.

The International Cesarean Awareness Network is starting a S. Florida chapter. See more online at www.ican-online.org. Please help us educate mothers to be so that they can avoid becoming part of the statistic.

Posted by: Christine | November 18, 2009 9:11 AM