Reaction to: "Increased rates of complications in childbirth parallel rising number of Cesarean sections"

Cesarean's are on the rise in America, and so are the complications coming from them.

http://www.kansascity.com/news/nation/story/992810.html


Studies are showing that having a cesarean brings increased chances of , "kidney failure, respiratory distress syndrome, shock and ventilator use..." But, more and more women are having c-sections for convenience and other reasons.

In 2007 the World Health Organization conducted a large study about birth, and found that the survival rate of the mom and baby is put at a much higher risk when the mother receives a c-sections.

Other studies have brought out that having a cesarean increases the chance of breathing problems for the baby. Maybe this is just coincidental, but my mom seems to believe I have asthma because she had me by c-section after 48 hours of non-progressing labor.

Jennifer Block, author of Pushed: The Painful Truth about Childbirth and Modern Maternity Care explained,"Some hospitals have cesarean rates exceeding 40 percent and even 50 percent. U.S. maternity wards are fast-becoming surgical suites."

I'm not implying that c-sections are the worst option, but why are some women demanding them, and why are so many doctors letting them go though with it when their recovery time is so much longer and the risk of complications with themselves and the baby is so much greater?

Introduction to Childbirth in America

I live in a country where 16% of our GDP is spent on health care, but we have the second lowest survival birth rate of any other developed nation. And even worse, those nations don't even spend one forth of the amount on health care that we do. Yes folks, that country would be the United States of America.

99% of all births in America happen in a hospital, where about 60-70% of births in other countries happen at home or birthing center. Do women have options as to how they want to birth their babies? In some states it is illegal to birth your baby at home. Do you think this should be appealed?

My purpose for creating this blog is to get incite from other women who would know why we have such a poor birth survival rate in America, and what we can do about it. Also, I hope to find out all birthing options, so that when the time comes for me to bring a child into the world, I will be prepared and confident knowing I have a birth plan that will be the healthiest for myself and my baby.

I invite all to comment and share their experiences with childbirth. Your experience and knowledge combined with as much research I can do on my part will hopefully give women an educational avenue to increase infant and mother mortality rates, and thus bringing America's birthing statistics where they need to be.