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10 Ways to Avoid an Unnecessary CesareanChukwuma I. Onyeije, M.D.http://maternalfetalmedicineblog.comhttp://onyeije.net/present

Is there such a thing as an unnecessary cesarean delivery?

Cesarean Rates Have Been Increasing in the U.S.6 Percent6 Percent6 Percent23 Percent30Percent17 Percent

Reasons for the Increased Rate of Cesarean DeliveryFear of malpractice claims and lawsuitsIncentives for physicians to practice in a manner that efficient Casual attitudes about surgery Refusal to offer or provide information about VBAC

Subtopic Goes Here

Your chance of having a Cesarean depends on where you live...

Fewer VBACs means More Cesareans

There are many factors related to the chance of cesarean Cesarean Section RateInduction of laborTime of dayVitamin D deficiency (?)Physician's Cesarean SectionRateMother's AgeType of PracticeNature of previousPregnanciesAvailability of VBAC

The Public Citizen Health Research Group has estimated that half of the nearly one million cesareans performed every year are medically unnecessary.

Many Cesarean Deliveries
Are NecessaryElective deliveries

Cesarean deliveries due to medical emergencies

Cesarean deliveries where vaginal birth is not possible

5 Ways to Avoid an Unnecessary Cesarean Before LaborAdapted from: Robin Elise Weiss, LCCE http://pregnancy.about.com/od/laborbirth/a/avoidcesarean.htm

#1
Educate Yourself About Labor, Delivery and Childbirth

#2Select your care provider wisely.

#3 Avoid induction of labor(if possible)

#4Use labor interventions wisely

#5Bring support for labor

5 Questions to Ask to Avoid an Unnecessary Cesarean During LaborAdapted from: ---- at CNN.comhttp://edition.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/12/17/birth.plan.tips/

#6 "Doctor, is this an emergency, or do we have time to talk?"

#7"Doctor, what would happen if we waited an hour or two?"

#8"Doctor, are you sure the baby is too big for me to deliver?"

#9"Doctor, is there something else I can try before having a C-section?"

#10. "Doctor, can we talk more about the baby's heart rate?"

ConclusionPhysicians want what is best for any pregnant woman and her baby.Unfortunately, some factors in modern obstetrics have the effect of placing the desires of patients are at odds with their doctors.

ConclusionAs a patient, the way to avoid an unnecessary cesarean is to keep the lines of communication open with your provider

More Information:

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/12/17/birth.plan.tips/

http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10456

http://bit.ly/51eBe7
(Academic Thoughts on VBAC by @hilseb)

http://bit.ly/4L9w1q
(Ten thoughts on VBAC by Nicholas Fogelson)