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From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Thursday, September 23, 2004 11:02 AM
Subject: [BirthRage] controlling delivery pt 2 By : John Pope Of the New Orleans Times Picayune Wenner contributed Patriot News reporter David to this story Obstetrics at a Crossroads In the Harrisburg region, the frequency of Cesarean sections appears flat, and the percentage is likely below the national average. At Holy Spirit Hospital in East Pennsboro Twp., Cesarean sections accounted for 22 percent of births in the most recent fiscal year. That's a slight decrease from 2002-03, when Cesareans accounted for 23 percent of births, and a slight increase from the previous fiscal year , whenthey accounted for 21 percent, hospital spokeswoman Lori Moran said. Dr. Kenneth Oken, when deliveres babies at Harrisburg Hospital, said he's heard of local women requesting Cesareans for non medical reasons, but "its very unusual. " " Usually, after we've discussed it, they've elected to go for the vaginal delivery, " he said. Oken regards vaginal delivery as slightly safer, and recommends it unless there's a medical reason to do otherwise. On the plus side, Cesareans allow deliveries to be scheduled at 39 weeks, which he said can eliminate a small number of stillbirths. On the downside, an elective Cesarean could prove unwise for a woman planning a large family. Possible consequences , including scar tissue and adhesions, could affect future deliveries, especially for someone who has had more than two Cesareans, Oken said. But Oken realizes his profession has reached a crossroads regarding deliveries and could be on the verge of a time when doctors inform patients about both kinds and patients chose. " We are becoming more attuned to the fact that people would ask for (Cesarean) to avoid potential trauma to mom and baby, even though ( such trauma) is very rare, " he said. " We have to listen to what our patients want " He pointed out, however that a surge in Cesareans would drive up delivery costs, because of anesthesia, equiptment, and longer stays would cause space shortages in local maternity wards. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] BirthRage webpage- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BirthRage
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