|
For Immediate Release — April 13, 2005
Contact: Tim Clarke, Jr.
Office: (240) 485-1821
Cell: (301) 814-2678
Email: tclarke@acnm.org
Silver Spring, MD – April is Cesarean Awareness Month
and the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) is renewing its call for Congressional
hearings into the nation's rising Cesarean section rate and the impact on women's
health and the overall health care system. Recent data indicates that as many 4
women in 10 gave birth by Cesarean in 2003, with an increasing percentage of first-time
Cesareans being performed with no medical indication.
“Women concerned about their future childbearing potential need to educate
themselves about the troubling long-term implications of that first cesarean,” said
Katherine Camacho Carr, CNM, PhD, president of ACNM. “Cesarean section remains
one of the most frequently performed surgical procedures done in this country, but
when that procedure is done electively, there is little research to substantiate
that practice. Likewise, the majority of pregnant women do not experience medical
complications that would justify a cesarean section. These evidence-based facts about
the rise in unnecessary surgeries should alarm the health care community into some
action, but, perplexingly, the c-section rate continues to rise year after year.”
Dr. Carr continued, “The debate over elective cesarean section is being driven
by fear over litigation, a lack of understanding about the science (or lack thereof)
and a false sense of security about the risks and/or benefits of surgery. Women need
unbiased, individualized information concerning their birth options – not more
confusion or scare tactics.”
Midwifery care remains a viable option for consumers and policymakers to consider.
One New Jersey hospital recently credited its dropping Cesarean section rate to the
certified nurse-midwives caring for women. Plainfield Health Center, a federally-qualified
health center that predominantly serves a low-income, high-risk community, employs
nurse-midwives to deliver the majority of care to pregnant mothers in the area. When
those expectant mothers are ready to deliver, they are attended by nurse-midwives
at Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center, which reported a Cesarean section rate of
22%, compared to New Jersey's statewide average of 33%.
In January, ACNM called on Congress to hold hearings on this matter, so that the
American people can better understand the dramatic and damaging effects Cesarean
sections are having on women in this country, as well as the fiscal implications
on publicly-financed health care systems such as Medicaid.
Women interested in the most complete review of the medical
literature on this subject should read “What Every Pregnant Woman Needs to
Know about Cesarean Section” from the Childbirth Connection, available for
download at childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ClickedLink=279&ck=10164&area=27.
Also, visit the International Cesarean Awareness Network online at www.ican-online.org for
more information about Cesarean Awareness Month. And learn more online at www.midwife.org.
###
Tim Clarke, Jr. -- Communications Manager
American College of Nurse-Midwives
8403 Colesville Road, Suite 1550
Silver Spring, MD 20910-6374
office: 240-485-1821 -- cell: 301-814-2678
tclarke@acnm.org
|
