Too posh to push? C-sections rise with social status

[The Straight Story]

About a third of U.S. pregnancies end with a C-section, and in Britain, a quarter of babies make their entrance this way. And yet the World Health Organization says C-sections should happen in no more than 5 percent to 15 percent of all deliveries.

So what's up? Researchers looked at 20 years of information on Scottish babies born via C-sections and the social class of their mothers - 365,000 women in all. Some have dubbed this finding “Too Posh to Push,” but others don’t feel that’s the case.

Dr. Shari Lawson, obstetrician with Johns Hopkins Bayview Hospital, says the link between social class and rates of C-sections raises questions that the study doesn’t address. She suggests, “It might be that women who are from more affluent areas might also have more education and they’re asking their doctors more pointed questions that make an elective C-section the right thing for a particular patient.”

Anyone who has ever recovered from a C-section, or knows a woman who has, clearly understands that major abdominal surgery is not a quick and easy way to opt out of the risks involved in pregnancy and labor. Other reasons for more elective C-sections may include more women facing complications caused by advanced maternal age, obesity or high blood pressure.

http://sacramento.momslikeme.com/members/journalactions.aspx?g=190562&m=17350966

[CTyankee]

1. I'm not sure this is true. Better educated women are often those who

want a more natural childbirth experience. Of course, if the woman has lots of money and just doesn't care whether the C section is slightly more dangerous, might NOT be deterred because she can get the best medical care.

This may be a class issue in the U.K. NOt sure here...

[Blue_In_AK]

2. I guess I'm just a peasant then

because I had all three of my kids at home -- in 1972, 1977 and 1985.

[Mariana]

3. Those women are mostly wealthier and/or have better insurance.

C-sections generate large fees, I imagine.

[NotThisTime]

4. Roughly 3 times as much $$ after 54 hours of labor and no baby my body shut down

it was then later discovered that I had a muscular dystrophy... there are times when they are necessary. Thankfully I did have great insurance and yes I am educated, but I did not want a C Section.

[SoCalDem]

5. they sure do.. and of course a scheduled C-section

makes a planned birth more possible. Rich people may have schedules that need to be kept to :)

Perhaps doctors are preferring sections too because they can schedule their time better too , and if the pregnancy is in any way high risk, they probably don't want any surprises.