2006 Cesarean Statistics

* Please note that ICAN of SW VA has unconfirmed reports that the overall number of cesareans performed at Carilion Roanoke Community hospital was inaccurately reported this year as well as several previous years. The unconfirmed total number of cesareans should have been 1,056 vs 241. The rate difference is 31.3% vs 7.2%. The cesarean rate for Virginia (released December 5, 2007) was 32.4% in 2006, this included the inaccurate statistics reported by Community. Based on the unconfirmed corrected Community statistics, ICAN of SW VA estimates the rate for Virginia for 2006 should have been about 33.7%.

 

The overall cesarean rate for the U.S. is 31.1%, an all time high. The rise in obesity has been blamed for the increase in cesareans. However, according to a report by the CDC in 2007, the obesity level in the U.S. has not risen with any statistical significance from 2003. The overall cesarean rate in 2003 was 27.6%. Clearly other issues are involved with the ever increasing cesarean rate, here are some of them:

• Malpractice fears
• Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC) bans - formal and informal
• Inaccurate counseling of cesarean and repeat cesarean risks
• Women are fearful of giving birth