More U.S. Women Dying In Childbirth

[donsu]

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/08/24/health/main3202083.shtml?source=RSSattr=HOME_3202083


Rate Is Highest In Decades; C-Sections And Obesity May Play Role


U.S. women are dying from childbirth at the highest rate in decades, new government figures show. Though the risk of death is very small, experts believe increasing maternal obesity and a jump in Caesarean sections are partly to blame.

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The U.S. maternal mortality rate rose to 13 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2004, according to statistics released this week by the National Center for Health Statistics.

The rate was 12 per 100,000 live births in 2003 — the first time the maternal death rate rose above 10 since 1977.

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Maternal deaths were a much more common tragedy long ago. Nearly one in every 100 live births resulted in a mother's death as recently as 90 years ago.

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In 2003, there was a change in death certificate questions in the nation's most populous state, California, as well as Montana and Idaho. That may have resulted in more deaths being linked to childbirth — enough push up the 2003 rate, Hoyert said.

Some researchers point to the rising C-section rate, now 29 percent of all births — far higher than what public health experts say is appropriate. Like other surgeries, Caesareans come with risks related to anesthesia, infections and blood clots.

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Race: Studies have found that the maternal death rate in black women is at least three times greater than is it is for whites. Black women are more susceptible to complications such as high blood pressure and are more likely to get inadequate prenatal care.

Quality of care: Three different studies indicate at least 40 percent of maternal deaths could have been prevented.

Sometimes, there is no clear explanation for a woman's death.
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there are MANY places in the US where there are no doctors or hospitals for pregnant women. part of Wash. D.C. is one of those places.

and anti abortionists want to force women to have pregnancys they do not want.

pregnancy, delivery and post delivery are dangerous ordeals even in today's world.

the numbers are probably higher then stated.

this statement doesn't sit right with me:

"Sometimes, there is no clear explanation for a woman's death."

[acmavm]

1. What else can happen if there's a lack of medical care for poor women?

The disconnect in this country is amazing.

[alcibiades_mystery]

2. Inducing, C-Sections, and yes, sadly, epidurals

When the wife was pregnant, we took the 12 week Bradley class. At first I was like "This is some hippie shit, for sure." Wife wanted to do natural childbirth. Why? I asked. You want to remain "authentic" or something silly like that? No, she said. It reduces the chance of a C-Section, shortens labor, and prevents other complications. Yeah, right, I thought. That philosophy will end soon into labor. It didn't. She did a natural childbirth with no problems, if a helluva lot of pain. It was terrible to watch, but also inspiring.

While she was pregnant, she used to watch A Baby Story, the childbirth reality show. After watching a few episodes, I was shocked. Every time it worked the same: induce, pitocin, epidural, no progress, c-section. One after the other. Induce, epidural, c-section. Induce, epidural, c-section. This can't be right, I thought. "See?" said the wife. "See how that works?" Fuckin' A.

Now, I have no doubt that some percentage of people absolutely need to be induced. I have no doubt that some absolutely need an epidural. I have no doubt that some absolutely need a C-Section. Moreover, before our experience (really, her experience - see asterisk below), I was a MEDICAL establishment guy. Why go through extra pain, I thought. That's silly! These hippies are nuts with their authenticity fetish, I thought. Uh huh. But they actually had a point. It wasn't authenticity they were after, but efficient and effective birthing. No one is more shocked than me to be making this argument.

* Yes, I know. I'm a man, and I didn't go through it. I have no idea, etc., etc., etc. You may as well get all those responses out first. I'm not claiming to have any idea. I'm relaying the way I was converted from a pretty steadfast position. Like anyone else, I hate when the hippies are right...:-)

[Pithlet]

3. I think those factors contribute, but I'm neither obese nor had a C-section

and I nearly died from my second birth. No exaggeration. I went home after a routine birth and the next day I had the worst headache of my life and what looked like a pulsing flower in the center of my vision. My husband took me back to labor and delivery where they took my blood pressure. I was immediately whisked off to the ICU and I stayed there for three days, extremely ill. I really dodged a bullet. It turned out I had HELLP Syndrome. If I had just gone to bed to try to sleep that headache off like I was tempted to do, I very likely wouldn't be here today.

I'm sure those factors contribute, but just because one is neither obese or otherwise high risk doesn't mean birth is entirely safe. The odds are still very much in a healthy woman's favor, but otherwise healthy women are still at risk when they give birth. ETA I also think that those same factors are reasons why fewer women die of childbirth. If C-sections didn't exist, more women would die of childbirth. Modern medicine isn't always evil and unnecessary, even when it comes to childbirth. Especially when it comes to childbirth.