Rising Cesarean Rate and Placenta Accreta

As many know the rate of C-sections is sky rocketing with as many as 1 in 3 women delivering their babies on the operating table, but what isn't being discussed are the many risks that accompany this majorly invasive surgery. 

ABC posted an article and news report in April of 2011 about a condition called placenta accreta.  It's a condition in which the placenta grows into the uterine wall and sometimes even beyond. This is a life threatening condition that can result in hemorrhage, often requires surgery to stop bleeding, and can also be fatal. The rates of occurrences are rising.  The article states:  Once a rare event that affected 1 in 30,000 pregnant women in the 1950s and 1960s, placenta accreta now affects 1 in 2,500 pregnancies, according to a 2007 report in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. In some hospitals, the number is as high as 1 in 522.

Dr. Abdulla Al-Khan, director of the Division of Fetal Medicine and Surgery at Hackensack University Medical Center, said, "The rule of thumb is if you have one C-section and the placenta sits right on top of the scar, the risk of placenta accreta is 25 percent."

Cesarean sections can be life saving for mothers and babies when they are medically necessary, but this "to posh to push" mentality needs to be addressed. Read the entire article and watch the report here. You can also check the cesarean rates of your state and hospital at cesareanrates.com. Share this with the women in your life. Keep your self informed and educated!