Health Law

Are Medical Professionals Cavalier about C-Sections?

Birth by cesarean section (C-section) is increasingly common in our society, but the procedure is not always performed for the right reasons. Some experts believe the trend has gone too far, with doctors and women scheduling C-sections sometimes weeks before the recommended gestation period.

Alarming Statistics

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that delivery occur at 39 weeks or after. However, some doctors are scheduling C-sections for as early as 37 weeks for reasons that include scheduling convenience and fear of lawsuits.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of babies delivered prior to 37 weeks gestation increased over 20 percent in a 16-year period. Preterm births are sometimes due to maternal smoking, lack of adequate healthcare and multiple births. But the March of Dimes reports that 90 percent of non-multiple preterm births are due to an increase in C-sections.

"I think unfortunately what we are seeing is ... people becoming more and more cavalier of the outcomes," said Dr. Aaron Caughey, an associate professor at University of California San Francisco.

Preterm Birth: Risk Factor for CP

Nearly one third of fetal brain development occurs in the final five weeks of gestation, and babies born preterm are more likely to suffer developmental delays, cerebral palsy, breathing or feeding problems, and even death.

 

Full post as published by Cerebral Palsy Law Blog on December 04, 2008 (boomark / email).