Serious Problems In Maternity Care Quality And Value, Cesarean Section And Other Interventions Overused
Main Category: Pregnancy / Obstetrics
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health; Women's Health / Gynecology
Article Date: 09 Oct 2008 - 3:00 PDT
Over 31% of U.S. births are now by cesarean section although a 5% to 10% rate is best for mothers and babies. The extra cost is well over $2.5 billion per year. The excess cesareans buy no reduction in maternal and newborn deaths. But they cause unneeded exposure to the dozens of adverse effects more common with c-sections. This is just the most striking example of how health care provided to mothers giving birth exposes them to avoidable harm and expense. These conclusions are found in Evidence-Based Maternity Care: What It Is and What It Can Achieve, a report released today by Childbirth Connection, The Reforming States Group, and the Milbank Memorial Foundation.
The report cites an extensive body of evidence to make the case that, despite paying top dollar, American women do not receive the best maternity care. It is the most comprehensive review to date of how maternity care is delivered, financed, and experienced by mothers, families, and health care payers. It concludes that maternity care can be significantly improved using evidence-based care. . . Read More
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