Rising C-sections’ rate feared to be motivated by money

Summary of Women’s enews, June 15, 2011

This article should be compulsory reading for women, whether they’re pregnant, have children already, or are considering children in the future.

In it, freelance writer L Hunter explores the reasons for a striking increase in the number of Caesarean sections, or C-Sections performed in the US in the last ten years: from 1 in 5 a decade ago to 1 in 3 today.

The reasons for the jump may be manifold, including: “Older mothers, multiple births (due to fertility drugs), bigger babies” and an increase in the complications during labour, particularly amongst African American women.

However, more worrying is the fear that the increase is really financial, with the C-sections incurring higher fees and associated costs than vaginal births.

And UK women should not be any less concerned about an increase in the rate of Caesarean births affecting our sisters across the ocean.

In the UK, the rate of caesareans has almost doubled since 1980, particularly amongst the middle and upper classes – giving rise to the description of the C-section as being ‘too posh to push’.

But whichever country you’re looking at, and whatever the reasons for the rise, the causes for concern are clear.

Susan Pisano, vice president of communications for America’s Health Insurance Plans, says “I don’t think anybody gains if the rates are high because surgery is so risky. It’s a dangerous proposition.

“Everyone benefits when women who need it get it and when women who don’t need it, don’t get it.”