Cesarean delivery
One of our frequently asked questions is whether HypnoBirthing and non-clinical labor techniques can help with cesarean sections. The answer is yes all around: for mothers with conditions that medically necessitate c-sections, and for mothers wishing to avoid unnecessary c-sections.
In Massachusetts, the state total for cesarean deliveries occurring at licensed hospital and clinical maternity facilities is 30.6 % (Massachusetts Department of Public Health, 2018). In the Boston Area specifically, c-section rates range from 28.4% to 36.9% (Massachusetts Department of Public Health, 2018). In other words, about one in three mothers in Boston births via cesarean delivery. Although this data is staggering, it is consistent with national statistics. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2018), the percent of all deliveries by cesarean in the United States is 32% (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2018).
The World Health Organization (WHO) (2015) stated the optimal rate of medically justified cesareans is between 10% and 15% (World Health Organization [WHO], 2015). Moreover, c-section rates above 10% are not associated with lower newborn or maternal mortality rates (WHO, 2015). Why are rates in the U.S. two to three times the optimal percent, particularly when data affirms that this major abdominal surgery does not save more lives the more they are performed and is associated with adverse consequences for infants and mothers (Visser, G. et al., 2018)? The answer is not always simple.
When it comes down to women's desires, most do not want a cesarean section when there are no complications (Betran, A.P. et al., 2018). However, fear of labor pain, elective cesareans, convenience, cultural influences, financial incentives, male physicians, providers employed in university-affiliated hospitals, and fear of litigation are all factors that contribute to higher c-section rates (Betran, A.P. et al., 2018).
Childbirth education programs that focus on non-pharmacological techniques, such as those promoted by HypnoBirthing (e.g. breathing, visualization, meditation), can help families avoid unnecessary interventions by reducing negative feelings and fears associated with birth, and improving knowledge in when interventions are warrented. Our families report feeling empowered and able to establish trust with their healthcare providers as well as improved ability to advocate for their birth preferences. Mothers who required c-sections reported better outcomes and faster healing times. Contact us to learn more or register for a class today!
References:
Betran, A. P. et al. (2018). Interventions to reduce unnecessary cesarean sections in healthy women and babies. The Lancet, 392(10155), 1358-1368. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(18)31927-5
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr67/nvsr67_08-508.pdf
Massachusetts Department of Public Health. (2018). Massachusetts births 2016. Retrieved from https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2018/06/01/birth-report-2016.pdf
Visser, G. et al. (2018). FIGO position paper: how to stop the cesarean epidemic. The Lancet, 392(10155), 1286-1287. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(18)32113-5
World Health Organization. (2015). WHO statement on cesarean section rates. Retrieved from https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/161442/WHO_RHR_15.02_eng.pdf;jsessionid=E656A6A22F32BD594D3B2B86BC8EF6A1?sequence=1
In Massachusetts, the state total for cesarean deliveries occurring at licensed hospital and clinical maternity facilities is 30.6 % (Massachusetts Department of Public Health, 2018). In the Boston Area specifically, c-section rates range from 28.4% to 36.9% (Massachusetts Department of Public Health, 2018). In other words, about one in three mothers in Boston births via cesarean delivery. Although this data is staggering, it is consistent with national statistics. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2018), the percent of all deliveries by cesarean in the United States is 32% (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2018).
The World Health Organization (WHO) (2015) stated the optimal rate of medically justified cesareans is between 10% and 15% (World Health Organization [WHO], 2015). Moreover, c-section rates above 10% are not associated with lower newborn or maternal mortality rates (WHO, 2015). Why are rates in the U.S. two to three times the optimal percent, particularly when data affirms that this major abdominal surgery does not save more lives the more they are performed and is associated with adverse consequences for infants and mothers (Visser, G. et al., 2018)? The answer is not always simple.
When it comes down to women's desires, most do not want a cesarean section when there are no complications (Betran, A.P. et al., 2018). However, fear of labor pain, elective cesareans, convenience, cultural influences, financial incentives, male physicians, providers employed in university-affiliated hospitals, and fear of litigation are all factors that contribute to higher c-section rates (Betran, A.P. et al., 2018).
Childbirth education programs that focus on non-pharmacological techniques, such as those promoted by HypnoBirthing (e.g. breathing, visualization, meditation), can help families avoid unnecessary interventions by reducing negative feelings and fears associated with birth, and improving knowledge in when interventions are warrented. Our families report feeling empowered and able to establish trust with their healthcare providers as well as improved ability to advocate for their birth preferences. Mothers who required c-sections reported better outcomes and faster healing times. Contact us to learn more or register for a class today!
References:
Betran, A. P. et al. (2018). Interventions to reduce unnecessary cesarean sections in healthy women and babies. The Lancet, 392(10155), 1358-1368. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(18)31927-5
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr67/nvsr67_08-508.pdf
Massachusetts Department of Public Health. (2018). Massachusetts births 2016. Retrieved from https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2018/06/01/birth-report-2016.pdf
Visser, G. et al. (2018). FIGO position paper: how to stop the cesarean epidemic. The Lancet, 392(10155), 1286-1287. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(18)32113-5
World Health Organization. (2015). WHO statement on cesarean section rates. Retrieved from https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/161442/WHO_RHR_15.02_eng.pdf;jsessionid=E656A6A22F32BD594D3B2B86BC8EF6A1?sequence=1