Research Finds C-section Overuse Leads to Higher Rates of Maternal, Infant Deaths

Modern Healthcare writes: Far too many women in the U.S. continue to give birth by cesarean section, leading to unnecessarily high rates of maternal and infant deaths, according to research published in JAMA.  About 33% of pregnant women in the U.S. deliver babies via C-section, but an optimal rate would be around 19%, according to the study. The researchers looked at outcomes of more 23 million cesarean deliveries from 194 countries and examined the relationship between C-section rates and maternal and neonatal mortality.  Alternatively, researchers found that in many countries, not enough C-sections were being performed, suggesting inadequate access to safe and timely emergency obstetrical care.

Read more: http://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20151201/NEWS/151209985/c-section-overuse-adds-to-maternal-infant-deaths