The New York Times reported last week that many moms that have had a cesarean sections are now being denied private coverage or are being charged higher insurance premium by some insurance companies. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, according to the article, is one insurance company that charges higher rates for private insurance if a woman has had a cesarean section in the past five years. This is an issue for many women because there has been an increase in women undergoing cesarean sections.

April is Cesarean Awareness Month. According to ICAN (International Cesarean Awareness Network) Cesarean awareness month is a “month of awareness about the impact of cesarean sections on mothers, babies, and families worldwide. It’s about educating yourself to the pros and cons of major abdominal surgery and the possibilities for healthy birth afterwards as well as educating yourself for prevention of cesarean section.”

In a report released by the CDC in late 2007, the rate of cesarean sections rose to record high of 31.1% of all live births during the year 2006. With this rate most people know someone who has had a cesarean section or is a mother that has a cesarean section. Although cesarean sections were initially introduced to save lives there increase use has been a source of debate and criticism.

One option for women that have had had a cesarean section is to have a VBAC. A VBAC is an acronym for Vaginal Birth After Cesarean. Although some women have been told, and believe that once you have a cesarean you must always have a cesarean that is definitely not the case. In fact, the ACOG (American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology) has said that a VBAC should be an option for most women that have had one lower transverse uterine incision.

Litigation is sadly one of the reasons that many providers across Tampa Bay, Florida and the United States have discontinued offering VBACs to their patients. In a survey done by ACOG, 14.8% of ACOG fellows stopped offering VBACS between 1999 and 2002 because of the affordability of litigation insurance.

This sadly shows that having a baby is a business that is affected by money. Women now must become more informed about their bodies and what is best for them and their babies. Most women would not go into a car dealership without doing some research. A baby and the birth of your baby are more important than any car you would ever purchase. Sadly some care providers will not have all the facts or will not disclose them to you. Do plenty of research on the options available to you.

Helpful Resources:

Recommendations on Ways to Avoid a Cesarean Section

VBAC pamphlet from ACOG

ICAN (International Cesarean Awareness Network)

What many women have already noticed is that rate of Cesarean Sections have risen in recent years. If you talk to moms about their birth story you will notice more stories that include having Cesarean sections than if you had the same discussion years ago.

The Cesarean delivery rate rose again in 2006, to 31.1 percent of all births, a 3 percent increase from 2005 and a new record high. The percentage of all births delivered by cesarean has climbed 50 percent over the last decade.

Moms that have had a Cesarean Section may opt to have a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After a Cesarean), but there has also been a decline in VBACs over the years. Part of the issue has been the question that is if a woman has had C-Section should she always have a C-section.

Source: CDC