Despite increased risk to mothers, rates of unnecessary C-sections remain high

Due to a variety of factors, cesarean section deliveries have become more common in the last few decades. Many women in the U.S. are waiting until later in life to give birth; in vitro fertilization has increased the incidence of multiple births; a C-section may be necessary because of obesity or diabetes; and there are other factors that could make a C-section medically necessary.

However, doctors throughout the country are in agreement: many C-sections are not medically necessary, though C-sections place women at a higher risk of surgical injury, infection and complications in other pregnancies.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has estimated that in 2005 the C-section rate in the U.S. exceeded 30 percent, and since 2009 the rate has stayed at about 33 percent. However, the World Health Organization has maintained for 30 years that C-section deliveries are necessary to save lives only in about 10 percent of deliveries — well below current trends.

Additionally, the WHO has stated that the rise in the rate of C-section deliveries has not had an observable effect on mortality rates.

Some hospitals in California have begun to pay more attention to high rates of C-section deliveries, with facilities doing monthly reviews to make doctors aware of their own delivery trends.

Still, more needs to be done to help mothers with “uncomplicated” pregnancies avoid unnecessary C-sections.

Babies and pregnant mothers are extremely vulnerable to medical errors during delivery. When mistakes occur — whether it’s an unnecessary C-section or one that was performed too late — the results can be devastating.

For more on some of the measures doctors and hospitals can take to protect mothers and newborns, please see our previous post on medical safety practices in child delivery.