CLEVELAND–A new study finds expectant women are turning to the latest mommy trend: cesarean sections.
The procedure has reached an all-time high of 34 percent, according to a recent HealthGrades report.
Elective C-sections may help women avoid those last few weeks of pregnancy, but doctors say the procedure can risk a baby’s weight, organ and brain development.
“When the doctor chooses the time and not the baby, the babies are at an increased risk for breathing problems and even for death,” said Dr. Jennifer Bailit of MetroHealth in Cleveland. “It’s a very rare occurance, but it is increased when the babies are delivered before 39 weeks.”
Many hospitals in the state have adopted a “no early delivery” policy.
Participating hospitals, like MetroHealth, have seen the rate of elective deliveries drop from 25 percent to less than 5 percent in 14 months.
Bailit said other states are now adopting bans on C-sections, which can not only help with the health of the mother and child, but also save hospitals money.
A hospital in Portland, for instance, said the ban saves them at least $1 million in one year by preventing about 500 premature newborns from requiring ventilators.
“In times of tight dollars, when health care dollars can be used for lots of kinds of causes, anything that we can do to have healthier babies and save money is a good thing,” Bailit said.