One-third of births Cesarean in U.S.

William Atkins
Wednesday, 24 March 2010 23:20

Science - Health

According to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 32% of all births in 2007 were Cesarean deliveries'”the highest percentage reported in seventeen years.

 

The CDC report, which was published on Tuesday, March 23, 2010, stated that the percentage of Cesarean (or Caesarean) deliveries, also called C-sections, has been steadily increasing since 1996, with the highest percentage now recorded in 2007, the latest year in which data is available.

The CDC research is highlighted in the article 'Recent Trends in Cesarean Delivery in the United States.'

The article is authored by Fay Menacker and Brady E. Hamilton, both U.S. researchers with the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics, Division of Vital Statistics, Reproductive Statistics Branch.

The CDC article begins by saying, 'In 2007, nearly one-third (32%) of all births were Cesarean deliveries. Although there are often clear clinical indications for a Cesarean delivery, the short- and long-term benefits and risks for both mother and infant have been the subject of intense debate for over 25 years.'

Vaginal deliveries are, generally, much simpler to perform by the doctor, less costly for the parents, and much safer for both the mother and the baby, than Cesarean deliveries.

Specifically, the CDC article state, 'Cesarean delivery involves major abdominal surgery, and is associated with higher rates of surgical complications and maternal rehospitalization, as well as with complications requiring neonatal intensive care unit admission. In addition to health and safety risks for mothers and newborns, hospital charges for a cesarean delivery are almost double those for a vaginal delivery, imposing significant costs.'

Page two talks about the need for Cesarean deliveries in some cases.