After over a decade straight of climbing the cesarean section rate fell. Okay, fell is a huge word but considering the rise of the last 13 years, I'll take the change that is so minuscule that it's nearly negligible. Statistically insignificant. But, the key is that it is not rising.
When I first read the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) preliminary birth data for 2010, my jaw hit the floor to see that the cesarean rate went from a whopping 32.9 down to 32.8. (See what I mean by small?) While this data is just a glance at what happened in 2010, you have to ask yourself what caused it? The true answer is that we don't know yet, but I suspect that it's multiple factors at work, many of which have to do with the consumer, you.
This data is the preliminary data, so it is possible that there will be adjustments, though usually it is not by much. I'm really looking forward to the VBAC and primary cesarean data myself. My bet is that we'll see it in the spring. What do you think has slowed or halted the dramatic rise of the cesarean rate?
Other NCHS highlights include:
- Teen births were 34.3 births per 1,000 teenagers.
The teen birth decline of about 9% from 2009. This birth rate for teens in all age groups and race/ethnic groups were at historic lows for 2010.
- Birth rate to unmarried mothers (15-44 years) was 40.8 per 1,000.
This is a decrease of about 0.2% from 2009 data. This decrease is the second straight decrease after years of rising.
- The birth rate is up for moms in the 40s by 2%.
This is the highest rate since 1967 for moms over 40. Though the numbers for women in the early 20s fell by 6% and was down in all other categories as well.
- The general fertility rate was 66.2 births per 1,000 (15-44).
This is the third year that this rate has dropped. There were 4,000,279 in 2010.
Related:
Hamilton BE, Martin JA, Ventura SJ. Births: Preliminary data for 2010. National vital statistics reports web release; vol 60 no 2. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2011.
Cesarean Rates Fall for the First Time in Over a Decade originally appeared on About.com Pregnancy & Childbirth on Thursday, November 17th, 2011 at 12:00:22.
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