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Hoping for Vaginal Birth

How to Avoid Having a Cesarean Section

By Laura Cone

nix, Ariz., and she says he has a C-section rate of about 10 percent, while some hospitals have a rate of more than 50 percent.

Marion McCartney, the director of professional services for the American College of Nurse-Midwives in Silver Spring, Md., has been a nurse midwife for 30 years. McCartney says one of the reasons the Cesarean rate has gone up is that some health care providers induce many first-time mothers' labors. She says women should only be induced if there is a medical indication that it is necessary.

"Being at your due date is not a medical indication," McCartney says. "If you just leave them alone, almost all of them will go into labor without an induction and have normal deliveries," she says. "If you induce them, you will get the higher rate of Cesarean section. It has been shown over and over in studies."

Even if a woman takes good care of herself, has normal weight gain, stays active and eats well, it's no guarantee she can avoid a Cesarean section, says McCartney. "I think it's very important to understand the providers and what their personal Cesarean section rates are," she says. "Go to someone who does not promote Cesarean sections for all women. The way to avoid a Cesarean section is to get with a provider who wants to avoid a Cesarean section, too."

Finally, it's imperative for women to ask questions and not feel intimidated. At the same time, understand you are in no position to negotiate once you are in labor and in a hospital, adds McCartney. So discussing these concerns with your provider well before your due date is a good idea.

Want to see more?

• The Right to Choose: Elective Cesarean Sections
• Just In Case: Making a Plan for Cesarean Birth
• Should Women Having Large Babies Expect to Deliver by Cesarean?
• Talk about it!

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