RISE IN C-SECTION DELIVERIES REACHES NEAR ONE-THIRD OF ALL U.S. BIRTHS… BUT, WHY?

The number of Caesarean Sections performed in United States hospitals has soared over those performed just a decade ago. Charges by U.S. hospitals for the procedure have netted over $17.4 billion annually for these operations alone.

According to the most recently available numbers provided the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the number of women who now have the C-section procedure is nearing 1/3 of all births. About 1.3 million women in 2005 gave birth through a C-section. This figure represents a 38 percent increase over 1995. That year, about 800,000 C-sections were performed in the U.S.

C-sections have their rightful place in deliveries when complications would be thought to put either the mother or the child at risk. An umbilical cord wrapped around the child’s neck or a breech delivery would be two common reasons for a C-section delivery. More recently, C-sections are being performed for many other reasons including convenience, a feeling by attending physicians that the procedure reduces lawsuit risk and even the idea that this type of delivery is better for the mom and child than a normal vaginal delivery.

The area of sharpest decline in vaginal deliveries occurred in the case of those mothers who had previously given birth via C-section. Vaginal deliveries of subsequent children dropped 60 percent from 157,200 in 1995 to just 63,300 in 2005. Apparently some doctors and hospitals are not allowing a woman to consider and attempt vaginal delivery following a C-section delivery.

Another major contributing factor to the increase in C-sections would logically be financial. In 2005, hospitals charged a total of $17.4 billion for about 1/3 of the deliveries through C-section. Hospitals took in just $21.3 billion for the remaining 2/3 of the deliveries. Clearly, the profit lies in C-section deliveries!

Consider the difference in costs based on 2003 figures as provided by the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

- Vaginal birth with no complications: $6,239
- Vaginal birth with complications: $8,177
- C-section with no complications: $11,524
- C-section with complications: $15,519

At about $5,000 more for an uncomplicated C-section and over $7,000 more for a complicated procedure above vaginal delivery, is it really any wonder that the medical profession, as well as hospitals, might like to see the number of C-sections rise even higher in the years to come?

DR. CRAIG’S COMMENTS: There is a time and place for the C-section procedure. However, the child’s health and future well being should supersede all other variables. Natural child birth has too many benefits to be dictated by hospital protocols. Benefits of a natural birth: less stress to the baby’s spine, muscles and nerves, better lung function, improved immune system, reduced chance of asthma and allergies… to name but a few. Is it just a coincidence that we are seeing a decline in the health of infants and children, or is it more a matter of our meddling with God’s design and the natural order of life?

Speak up and educate others,

Dr. Craig