Fewer cesarean births may decrease birth injury rates

All that matters to most parents is that their children are born healthy and safe. Many times, expecting parents will read up on practical advice and parenting techniques, but look to their medical physicians for guidance and instruction during the actual birthing process. That’s why it is incredibly important that doctors in New York and beyond recognize and appreciate that their patients truly do rely on them. While concerns over the prevalence of cesarean deliveries in America have been on the rise, there are positive signs that efforts to address the issue may be making a difference.

Delivering a child naturally is largely recommended by members of the medical community since it presents far fewer risks and medical complications than cesarean delivery. A cesarean birth can lead to serious complications affecting the mother and child alike. The newborn baby may experience medical problems like respiratory issues or even sustain a birth injury, while the mother can develop blood clots and infections. And beyond that, many women that undergo C-sections never have the option of delivering a child naturally again, and can face further complications in the future.

Despite the risks associated with cesarean deliveries, however, some physicians opt to perform unnecessary surgery in an effort to avoid potential medical malpractice allegations. Because C-sections can be performed faster than some natural births, doctors sometimes choose to perform a C-section instead of risking an overly long delivery.

The U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now estimates, though, that there has been a two-percent drop in cesarean birth rates within a three-year period. And in New York, the number of cesarean deliveries performed decreased by five percent. It’s believed that surgery rates may continue to decrease in the future.

Source: healthday.com, “First-Time Cesarean Rates Dipped in 2012: CDC,” Steven Reinberg, Jan. 23, 2014