Giving birth in any way is not a matter to take lightly, but a caesarean section birth can come with its own set of risks and problems. C-section births have increased in North Carolina over recent years, as oftentimes they are necessary to preserve the health of both mother and child, but the dangers involved remain substantial.
Many warn against choosing C-section births, as the dangers can risk the lives of both mother and baby. Fit Pregnancy and Baby released an article giving reasons why one should avoid such a procedure if possible, stating that mothers having C-section births are twice as likely to return to the hospital with an infection. The article also warns that a baby born from a C-section birth has a greater chance of having to spend time in the neonatal intensive care unit. Nonetheless, C-sections now make up 32 percent of all deliveries in the United States. C-sections are safer than they were in the past, but can still result in a multitude of long-term consequences. Risks are even more common upon a repeat C-section birth, and include the following health hazards:
- Placenta previa
- Placenta accreta
- Heavy blood loss
- Blood clots
Other sources, including an article from Consumer Reports, claim that the selection of hospital plays a major role in dangerous C-section births. The article points out that the C-section is the most common major surgery in the country, with one out of every three babies born in the U.S. delivered from a C-section. A Consumer Reports investigation showed that the busier a hospital is, the more dangerous a C-section can be; C-section rates for low-risk deliveries in the U.S. vary from hospital to hospital. Hospitals have C-section rates that provide individuals with information on low-risk C-sections. Studies also show that in today’s world, most women would travel farther to give birth at a hospital with better C-section ratings. In the future, officials hope to see hospitals change their C-section safety procedures to boost ratings and lower the risks of this type of birth.