05.25.2010
Sunday’s LA Times had an alarming article about giving birth. It isn’t necessarily news to me because I remember reading about this a few years ago, but, now I have a blog and I can spread the news myself (to all 3 or 4 of you).
The headline reads “An Alarming Trend in Maternal Deaths.” It is alarming because we are considered to be a developed country. Between 1996 and 2006, maternal mortality rates jumped from “5.6 deaths per 100,000 births to 16.9.”[1] That’s triple the numbers, people.
“For each death, experts estimate, there are about 50 instances of complications related to pregnancy or childbirth that are life-threatening or cause permanent damage. According to a study published last year, such ‘near misses’ – including kidney failure, respiratory distress syndrome, shock and the need for blood transfusions and ventilation- rose 25% from the late 1990s to 2005.”[2]
It continues: “Though the US spends more per birth than any other nation, maternal mortality is higher here than in 40 other industrialized countries, including Croatia, Hungary and Macedonia, and is double that of Canada and much of Western Europe. That the [US] is backsliding in this most basic of healthcare measures has triggered attention and alarm in medical circles.”
“Traditionally, physicians have viewed pregnant women as both young and healthy. In this country, that is no longer the case... More women today are giving birth in their 30s and 40s, when risks of complications during pregnancy and childbirth significantly increase…Physicians haven’t adapted their approach to childbirth to accommodate these new risks, maternal health experts said.”
While reading the article, I kept thinking about c-sections and was reminded of another article I read a while back about how dangerous they really are and how doctors are increasingly ordering them for their own convenience (which pissed me off). I was wondering if this article would mention something about that and, sure enough, it did.
“The induction or prompting of labor by medication, which is sometimes medically advisable but more often performed for the doctor’s or patient’s convenience, has climbed so steeply – it now occurs in 22% - that the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists felt compelled to advise its members last year to avoid inductions before 39 weeks’ gestations. When labor is induced a week or so before the due date, the uterus may not be ready, leading to prolonged labor. After delivery, the exhausted muscle may not contract properly to stop bleeding. Blood can no longer clot and becomes the consistency of water.”
In the early 1990s, I was watching a 20/20 special on ABC about healthcare and the segment ended with the reporter saying that it was becoming increasingly important that you, as an individual, take matters into your own hands; that it was important you do your own (medical) research and urge doctors to do what you want them to do (as far as tests go). I know it’s difficult because, hell, I didn’t go to med school, so why should I be my own doctor?
But, these statistics are frightening and, like anything, you have to be in control (as much as you can) with what is happening with your body. Be active every step of the way and don’t be afraid to ask your doctor any questions. If they get annoyed – oh, well. That’s what they get paid for and when it comes to my health, I don’t care if the doctor’s annoyed with me because I don’t get to leave my body or health issues at the doctor’s office.
It's frightening, isn't it? I'm a big opponent to labor induction!!! Doctors do it now becuase mothers ask for it and then perform c-sections to reduce potential malpractice suits. It's frightening...it really is. I learned that it's okay to be flexible and to listen to the reasons why a doctor is ordering something to be done. But the most important thing I learned was to ask questions...lots of them before agreeing to medication. C-sections used to be performed as emergency procedures when things went south during labor or when there was certainty to be complications during labor. Now if you're in labor for 24 hours, they automatically c-section you. So thanks for posting this for all the people out there who may not know...who aren't informed. Don't just listen to your doctor. The doctor is a human...don't forget that.
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