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In a recently published White Paper by the California Maternal QualityCare Collaborative researchers in California confirmed that the high number of cesarean sections performed in the United States and in California put mothers and babies at increased risks and add significantly to healthcare costs with little evidence of health benefits.
The report also confirmed that there are psychological costs that are often overlooked. Postpartum anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Cesareans affect maternal-infant attachment and breastfeeding as well. The cesarean rate in California and the United States increased by 50 percent between 1998 and 2008. It rose from 22 percent to 33 percent in ten years. Researchers found no data to document any population-level benefit to mothers or newborns associated with the increased rate of cesareans.
The authors state, “Today providers seem to see no ‘downside’ to a high cesarean rate; and women seem increasingly accepting of the prospect of a cesarean.”
California healthcare payers pay hospital charges of $24,700 for a cesarean compared to $14,500 for a vaginal birth. The authors state physicians, healthcare payers, employers who pay for childbirth costs, and public health officials are not aware of the “disconnect” between the amount of dollars spent and the health outcomes in U.S. maternity care.
This is how the show started on Monday night (2-6-2012). The quote comes from VBAC.COM an excellent resource for information on VBAC. My guest on the show was Dr. Stuart Fischbein. He IS definitely aware of the “disconnect” . He discussed women’s rights and what women can do to ensure they are heard by their care provider. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE TRUTH ABOUT VBACS
After the show Dr. Fischbein joined us again on our live “TV” show Watch the AFTER THE SHOW, SHOW on The Truth About VBACS
