When you give birth to a child in Pennsylvania, a Cesarean section delivery may become necessary if certain dangerous conditions exist. However, C-sections, when not medically necessary, pose far more of a risk to you and your child than a traditional delivery does.
According to USA Today, unnecessary C-section deliveries have become a growing problem across the United States. Research shows that many U.S. hospitals perform far more C-sections than the World Health Organization recommends.
How high C-section rates are in the United States
In 2018, more than 30% of all babies born across the United States underwent delivery via C-section. Yet, the World Health Organization notes that the ideal rate for C-section deliveries should fall somewhere between 10% and 15%. Also concerning is the fact that some hospitals perform far more C-sections than others. Yet, data shows that higher C-section rates do not correlate with better outcomes for mothers or babies.
What risks come with unnecessary C-sections
Studies show that you are 80% more likely to experience a complication during a C-section delivery than a traditional one. Complications may vary as far as severity. However, mothers become more likely to experience infections, blood loss and surgical injuries when they deliver babies via C-section than they would otherwise. C-section deliveries also heighten risks for babies, who face a higher chance of breathing problems or surgical injuries when their mothers have C-section deliveries.
Other possible complications associated with C-section deliveries include blood clots, bad reactions to anesthesia and postpartum hemorrhage. The risks also compound with each subsequent C-section delivery you have.