During the past 20 years, there's been a marked increased in the number of mothers receiving C-sections. In fact, some estimates suggest that as much as one in every three births are cesarean ones. Perhaps even more alarming is that, as the rate of C-sections in this country has increased, so too has the country's maternal mortality rates.
A first-time mom that is pregnant with a single, full-term baby that's not breach is the epitome of a textbook low-risk birth. It's only when factors such as the mother's obesity, chronic medical condition or her age enter into the picture that a birth might be considered high-risk.
While there's a higher likelihood that an at-risk mother will end up having a C-section, researchers point out that there it's also an increasing trend that low-risk women will as well. As for why C-sections are becoming more popular among mothers less prone to pregnancy complications? Researchers found that it has to do with how busy a hospital is when the mom shows up to deliver the baby.
Among the different states, low-risk mothers are least apt to undergo a C-section in New Mexico. In fact, only 17 percent of all women in this type of situation do. In contrast, in Louisiana, at least 32 percent of all low-risk moms ultimately receive C-sections. According to Consumer Reports, the national average in 23.9 percent.
Most doctors polled for the study claimed that the threat of a malpractice lawsuits often leads them to choose to perform a C-section. At the same time, they emphasize that they're taught in medical school to only rely on cesarean births when trouble rears it's head. Patient advocate groups warn that doctors should not perform C-sections merely out of fear.
Performing C-sections on first-time, low-risk pregnant mothers is a particularly risky undertaking. These women have at least a 30 percent higher chance of suffering life-threatening complications or dying than mothers who who are allowed to give birth naturally.
Among the many different complications that are commonplace among these women, hemorrhaging, heart attacks, anesthetic-related injuries, blood clots and a general risk of infection rise to the top of the list.
If you believe that you or your baby have suffered an infection or injury because you were forced to have a C-section, then a Los Lunas medical malpractice attorney may be able to help you recover damages in your case.
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch, "St. Mary's Hospital has second lowest C-section rate in the country among low-risk moms," Michelle Munz, July 05, 2017
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