As Cesarean Rate Rises, so do Childbirth-Related Complications

The National Partnership for Women and Families recently published an article regarding a study that shows increasing c-section deliveries coincide with complications during birth. 

"An increase in the number of Caesarean sections performed in the U.S. coincides with an increase in severe complications during birth, according to a study scheduled to be published in the February issue of the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, USA Today reports.

For the study, researchers analyzed data from the largest U.S. inpatient database, which sampled hospitals from 37 states in 2005, to examine the rate of severe complications among women who gave birth during two time periods: 1998 to 1999 and 2004 to 2005. The researchers found a 90% increase in blood transfusions; a 50% increase in pulmonary embolisms; and a 20% increase in kidney failure, respiratory disease, shock and the need for a ventilator. The percentage of c-section deliveries with at least one complication increased from 0.64% in 1998 to 1999 to 0.81% in 2004 to 2005."

 

 Read the full article here.

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