Bonnie sent me a link to this article because she thought I would find it interesting. And I did.
In 1977, the maternal death rate was 10 deaths for every 100,000 live births in America. In 2003, it rose to 12. In 2004, it rose to 13. The article does not mention any years beyond that.
The risk of dying from childbirth complications are still very rare. But the fact that they are rising for the first time in 30 years makes one wonder: What is so different about births today that would cause this? The answer? C-sections, obesity, and age.
From the article:
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.
“There’s an inherent risk to C-sections,” said Dr. Elliott Main, who co-chairs a panel reviewing obstetrics care in California. “As you do thousands and thousands of them, there’s going to be a price.”
Excessive bleeding is one of the leading causes of pregnancy-related death, and women with several previous C-sections are at especially high risk, according to a review of maternal deaths in New York. Blood vessel blockages and infections are among the other leading causes.
I mentioned in a previous post the unnecessary laboring practices that I have found in my research that lead to C-sections: laboring on your back, induction, and epidurals. Although not mentioned in this article, I think women would be wiser in knowing these risks. And this article adds to the importance that women go into childbirth well-educated.
The article continues to quote other risks:
Experts also say obesity may be a factor. Heavier women are more prone to diabetes and other complications, and they may have excess tissue and larger babies that make a vaginal delivery more problematic. That can lead to more C-sections. “It becomes this sort of snowball effect,” said King, who is now medical director of maternal-fetal medicine at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.
The age of mothers could be a factor, too. More women are giving birth in their late 30s and 40s, when complications risks are greater.
So in my opinion, to reduce your risk of maternal death, it look as though it would be most beneficial if you:
- Only succumb to a C-section if your life or your baby’s life is in obvious immediate danger
- Labor at home for as long as possible, which has proven successful at preventing stalled labors
- Stay upright and mobile once admitted to the hospital or birthing center
- Refuse induction
- Refuse the epidural
- Exercise regularly
- Eat healthily
- (Controversial topic alert) Have children instead of, or before, pursuing a career
You forgot to mention increased abortion in your list of possible causes for increased maternal death.
I have read that abortion supporters like to say abortion is safer than childbirth, while a number of childbirth complications stem from a previous abortion.
Talk about “keeping the statistics favorable.”
Amy – I had not heard that! But it makes sense. When you think about what abortion does to the baby – how could it be gentle on the mother?
I read that article in my local paper this morning. Just what I need to think about 3 weeks before my due date, right? One small thing mentioned at the end of the article was how reporting “cause of death” has changed in a handful of states–I remember one was Montana. Anyway, they said this could all be linked to that as well. Just that they used to not list childbirth as the cause of death for certain situations and around that year they started to. Anyway, just a side note…
Doesn’t change the fact that the U.S. rates are too high for being a “civilized” country. The first world countries who use midwives and natural childbirth for the majority have lower death rates.
With that said, I’m opting for a dr, hospital birth, perhaps an induction. I was induced last time and it was a really good experience! Maybe I’ll write a “What I Believe” post on it, who knows :).
Western Warmth, that would be one What I Believe post that I would definitely read!
Just three weeks to go? What an exciting time! I will pray for your safety (and baby’s as well). And for peace of mind. 🙂
Ok, I’ll bite on that controversial topic you threw out there at the last second! 🙂
Beth, I’m guessing your reasoning for the career comment was because of the added risk that comes with giving birth at later ages, like the article said. I agree that many women probably wait to have kids till they have a steady income with health benefits, find a life-partner as opposed to a boyfriend afraid of commitment, and feel their position at work is secure enough to take advantage of maternity leave. And that definitely contributes to the age issue. But, I think that many of those women don’t actually need to wait as long as they think they do, at least not from a career standpoint. It is completely possible to have a career, take a break for kids, and come back to it with few porblems. My point is this: the career or no career isn’t the issue – it’s women making selfish and dangerous choices and everyone around them pretending it’s ok.
Anyhoo, that’s my two cents on the age/career/whateer issue. 🙂
Found your blog about a week ago and am sooo enjoying my time here.
Thank you so much for the educational and informative posts on labor and delivery.
Abortion leaves scarring on you uterus. Abortion is also a risk factor for infertility and miscarriages.
I cannot labor while mobile or sitting upright. It hurts way too much. I tried all those things and I ended up falling down everytime a contraction came. I definately wasn’t on my back, though. I was all over the bed. LOL!
After my babies are born I keep moving my legs and wiggling my toes. The nurse in me is always thinking of blood clots. After a surgery, I would always tell my patients to keep moving their legs. 🙂