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Maryland Babies
LillyGrrl
member
For all the soon-to-be Mommies
LillyGrrl
member
I know the c-section topic is a hot one. But for those of you delivering at area hospitals this year I wanted to post this link out of www.theunnecesarean.com which gives the c-section rate of all the hospitals in MD. This way you can go in informed. A brief summary:
The average C-section rate around the country is 31% or so. The average in MD is 32%.
Garrett County Memorial Hospital (<1000 patients) 21.2%
Maryland General Hosptial 21.3%
Johns Hopkins 30.9%
Sinai 30.6%
GBMC 44.8% (higest in the state)
Montogmery General Hospital (<1000 patients) 40.8%
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Re: For all the soon-to-be Mommies
I would still give birth at GBMC even after reading that--I did not have a c-section.
You posted a summary of hospitals with the highest rates--could it be possible that those hospitals see more than average high-risk pregnancies? Johns Hopkins is one of (if not THE best) hospital in the world--I honeastly can't fathom why they would be performing unnecessary c-sections.
JMO.
I posted two of each (the two lowest, the two average, and the two higest). Hopkins is average, not "high"- and I did post if the sample size was low (less than 1000 patients).
My post was not to make people reconsider where they had their children, if they already had them or if you are planning more at the same place but just for information. Do not read more into this than was intended.
Take a look at the link and you can judge for yourself.
I think it's important to understand what leads to c-sections. Many people are induced with no problem whatsoever, but induction does cause an increase in c-section rates. Some people reacted well, some people don't. So c-sections rates aren't the end of the information. It's best to ask if your OB will induce, when and for what reason, and how soon past your "due" date. Induction can be for any reason such as AMA, large babies, being past due date.
Very rarely does an OB perform a first time c-section, but inductions and the use of pict - that happens all the time. Some people succeed to have a vaginal birth and some don't. I think the higher rates probably match up with OBs that induce, how many mothers they induce compared to OBs that don't.
I think there was post awhile ago that some of the area hospitals that have higher C-section rates are normally b/c those are hospital that specialize in high risk pregnancies, etc. I think the more important metric is probably to look at your individual OBs record and policy w/ regard to c/sections, inductions, pitocin, etc., etc.
I had a scheduled c-section b/c of my very breech, very stubborn little girl. At the time I was heartbroken that I would have the natural/unmedicated birth I imagined and had hoped and planned for, but in retrospect, it really didn't make a difference - I'm jsut happy she's here and we're both safe and healthy.
Ditto Kathryn. I was beyond devastated that I had a c/s for months...mine was an emergency c/s since DS's head was stuck under my pelvic bone and had not moved after 2.5 hours of pushing, and his heart rate was dropping. I was so bitter that it was not the birth I had wanted...but you know what? My son was healthy, I was healthy and that is what matters.
Happy Birthday, little man. We love you so much!
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Um so why did you post this then...to stir things up? This is not new information. As you mentioned, this has been mentioned before on this very board, several times, even most recently. Any person seeking out this information can find this website...here, I will link it better for you.
https://www.theunnecesarean.com/blog/2010/3/28/maryland-cesarean-rates-by-hospital-july-2008-to-june-2009.html
This is true of GBMC. They are one of the top hospitals around for urgent owmen's care and NICU. In addition, if you know in advance that you are having a c/s, that factors into which hospital you choose.
I was torn between delivering at St' Joe's and GBMC with DD, and at first was undecided about having a c/s due to a medical issue. My OB said either hospital was fine if I wanted to attempt vaginal delivery, and she explained the differences in the way each hospital does a spinal block for a planned c/s. GBMC's process is more advanced if you know you're having a c/s, which ultimately I chose to do, so I went with the hospital that was better equipped for it. So yes I helped raise their c/s rate for 2009, but it was my choice to have a c/s, and my choice which hospital to go to. Plenty of women have great vaginal birth experiences at GBMC as well. As PP have said, it is more about your OB and the steps they are/are not willing to take to ensure you ahve a vaginal birth.
Furthermore, very few women have their LOs birth go according to their birth plan. The ultimate importance is what's best for you and your baby, and having a c/s is not the end of the world.
It's not, but it is something to consider in this (maryland) environment if you want a VBAC. My c-section was found to be unnecessary by other OB and midwife opinion, my scar is fine, but still finding an OB willing to do a vbac has been difficult. As it is, I am driving 45 minutes to go a midwife practice to have an intervention free birth. Many hospitals still outright ban VBAC even though the ACOG reversed their views to support TOL. ACOG does not support being induced after a c-section, and yet every OB I have met has said they will induce if I am over 40 weeks, even though that has been proven to cause uterine ruptures and even though they say they support VBAC. But they all agree my c-section was not warranted at the time. So they recommend having another one, even though ACOG disagrees. Makes no sense.
And in the process of my c-section, by intestines and bladder were knicked, my OB fell on me (yes FELL on me during the procedure) which caused some extra bleeding and extra recovery time. My recovery took about 12 weeks (actually more I think), because I also had other parts that had to heal. C-section is major surgery and should be viewed as such. My OB had rave reviews for her surgical skills, and well, mistakes happen. Besides the fact I had an allergic reaction to the anesthesia they used.
There are instances where it is important and needed, and there are some performed unnecessarily. It is up to women to educate themselves on why a c-section is needed and what the side effects are.
I had DS at GBMC & never once did the mention of C-Sec come up. DS never even dropped down like he should have (which is something they were waiting for) but they still never brought up c-sec. They just told me to push, lol!
They only have a high rate because they get a lot of the high risk pregnancies. It doesn't mean they just jump for c-sec to get the baby out & get things over with.
Just throwing my two cents out here. . . I had an induction at GBMC at my request. Unfortunately, the outcome lead to a c-section because after three hours of pushing I was unable to push Rebecca through my pelvic bone. I had no intention of having a c-section but when the time came it was the right option for me. The doctors practice that I go to does not do VBAC after a c-section due to the small chance of the uterus rupturing. I knew that before I got pregnant and because of my trust in the doctors and the staff at GBMC I have accepted that this next child will be by c-section also.
I also had a friend who had an induction at GBMC and did not have to have a c-section. I truly think that although GBMC's numbers are very high for c-sections there are probably reasons behind it such as individuals wanting to go to a hospital that has such an expertise in the area.
It's not negative progpaganda - it's fact. There are no emotions tied to it. I don't understand why you are upset. I don't think you have a clue what propaganda is " ideas, facts, or allegations spread deliberately to further one's cause or to damage an opposing cause" GMBC has the highest c-section rate. Period. Fact. Can you please copy and paste the place where the OP mentions propaganda that is negative towards GMBC? I can't find it - in fact I can't find anything anywhere that anyone said anything negative about GMBC. Maybe I missed it - can you repost for me please?
And because I am choosing a VBAC, which is safer according to the ACOG and WHO, does not mean I am putting my babies health at risk or I am selfish.That is an awful thing to say, last time I had someone say that to me, actually, the only 2 times I had anyone tell me I was risking my babies health was from 2 different nurses, whom I later reported to the hospital. It's an awful terrible thing to say to any mother. Just horrible and insensitive.
BTW, I am having my VBAC at the other level 3 NICU in MD, Shady Grove Hospital in Rockville. I am delivering with midwives. And they have a lower c-section rate of 35.5. And they take roughly the same amount of patients. They perform less c-sections and twice as many VBACS. Just interesting food for thought. Not propaganda, just numbers.
oops, I have to correct my facts - Shady Grove actually takes more maternity patients then GMBC and has a lower c-section rate. And they specialize in multiples since they have the fertility clinic and they actually are now running the GMBC fertility clinic too. Interesting.
congratulations OP (who I've never seen post here before) - you stirred the pot!
Now let's all go back to being supportive of one of another and not making accusations against other womens' mothering/parenting because of our different choices and viewpoints. There's enough defensive/reacationary and snarkiness on the national boards let's try to keep it off here.
To Photo Nut. I have read numerous posts where people essentially bash people about even choosing GBMC or GBMC itself. I am tired of hearing the negative without having any information besides numbers. I understand that GBMC has a C-Section rate but that does not make it a bad hospital. The numbers are there but there are also numerous people who have been happy with the hospital regardless of whether or not they had a c-section. My point was not to attack because that's childless but to please ask the people who quote these numbers to understand what damage they can do to someone choosing a hospital by quoting numbers without any other knowledge of the hospital.
As far as the birth plan comment. I know someone who had that mentality and almost killed herself and her child. It happens...enough said.
FWIW I went to GBMC Fertility Center for my first child and loved them and my child is healthy and happy. Shady Grove took over...big whooping deal...GBMC is still an excellent hospital. I did say that there one of 2 or more that has a level 3 NICU. Shady Grove does too..great. I was just making sure that everyone knew that along with a high C-Section Rate that they are also prepared for the sickest of babies.
You may achieve your goal of VBAC and I certainly hope you do. I am hoping my twins are delivered vaginally. This all may go as planned or it may not...but the most important thing is happy and healthy babies.
FWI GBMC along with their c-section rate have also done numerous VBACs...looks like they may not be so one sided after all.
Let's act like grown ups. I understand that you had what sounds like a traumatizing labor and delivery. I am truly sorry for that. I also think's important that we act like supportive and caring mom's for everyone.
Do you really think anyone choosing a hospital based on numbers? Honestly? Do people really do that? I would think that most people are smart enough to take charge of their health, to understand risks, to understand why something is suggested, to pick a hospital because they feel it's a good decision.
I based my decisions on my experience, I got 2nd, 3rd and 4th opinions and based my decision on how to birth, where to birth on the questions I asked, which I encourage everyone to ask. You are an advocate for your health, only you.
I may get a vbac, I may not. I understand c-section is major surgery, and I do not take that lightly. I hope no one else does either, I would hate to see someone get hurt from an unnecessary c-section. That is that saddest thing, to lose a mother with a small baby.
I hope people ask questions when it comes to a decision like that but not everyone is thorough. There have also been numerous posts on this board since I started visiting where people only quote numbers and nothing else think people may c-section, numbers, and get scared and search for another hospital without investigating further. I always try to throw out my two cents about GBMC because I have had a great experience minus the food. My doctor gave me all the time in the world to push out my second child who was 10 pounds. I know my practice is not as open w/twins if one is breeched so I keep my fingers crossed. I just think numbers only tell one side of the story.
I agree that an unnecessary c-section is sad especially if it results in tragedy. However, I would fault the OB/practice not the hospital itself. My daughter has a scar from a forceps extraction gone wrong. I sometimes blame myself, sometimes the doctor (not my personal OB), and sometimes no one but she is a happy and healthy toddler and that's all that matters. I am not sure what I would do/think if something more tragic would happen and I only hope that no one ever has to go through that with a vaginal birth or c-section because it should be one of the greatest days of your life.
I've only been visiting this board for a few months and there have seemed to be an unusually high number of posts that are negative towards GBMC.
Photo is right, we all need to be our own advocate and do the necessary research. But, CB is correct too. I have seen people on here get scared away from a great hospital with what I believe have been one-sided C/S posts.
My personal experience with GBMC was incredible. I have a lot of scar tissue on my cervix. My doctors knew going in that I may not be able to deliver vaginally. I had a preterm premature rupture of membranes at 33 weeks and went into labor 3 days later. Despite both those issues my doctor and GBMC encouraged me to try and deliver vaginally. Initially my cervix wouldn't dialate even though it was fully effaced, so the on staff midwife manually dialetd me in order to avoid a C/S. (Even though it would have been easier and more financially lucrative for them had I decided to do a C/S.)
My daughter's natural birth is proof that GBMC doesn't push C/S.