Finding a New OB, c-section rates?

krystrist2014 · June 2014

Hi Ladies!

So, I recently moved from one side of the DC metropolitan area to the other side and am having to find a new OB (heartbroken because I love my current OB) because the 50 mile drive to my current doc is just too much to juggle with work and life.

My Mom has insisted that it is very important to find out what a doctor's c-section rate is in order to factor that in to my decision. I understand why she has suggested this, however, I am having a very difficult time finding this kind of information online via websites like healthgrades.com and hospital websites. When I called the offices of one of the OBs I am currently considering just now the receptionist I posed the question to (or rather made the inquiry to) seemed completely confused by my question. This made me feel like I am asking something completely out of the ordinary here.

Did anyone ask this question before choosing an OB or has anyone tried to find this kind of information before?

**EDIT: by C-section rates I meant # of C-sections per deliveries they have performed. My Moms concern is doctors that do unnecessary C-sections because its more convenient for them not to have to wait on you if your labor is dragging on.

Daneicy80 · June 2014

I never specifically asked my doctor but I did find a published rate of c-sections for all the hospitals in my state... maybe something like that would be useful to you if you have a choice of hospitals.

It doesn't seem like an odd question... unless they don't keep track of such statistics. Once you actually meet with a doctor you can try to ask them directly instead of asking a receptionist.

kayak11 · June 2014

I think that as long as the OB takes your insurance then the rates would depend on what your insurance will cover. I remember my dr saying "based on your insurance, here is what you are expected to contribute" when they gave me info on fees.

krystrist2014 · June 2014

Daneicy80 said:

I never specifically asked my doctor but I did find a published rate of c-sections for all the hospitals in my state... maybe something like that would be useful to you if you have a choice of hospitals.

It doesn't seem like an odd question... unless they don't keep track of such statistics. Once you actually meet with a doctor you can try to ask them directly instead of asking a receptionist.

Yeah, I was able to find some rates/statistics for the hospital that the doctor has privileges at... maybe that will have to be good enough.

And as far as asking the doctor in person, I am sure that would be easier... I just didn't want to have to have random appointments with like 3 different doctors just to ask them their stats and then compare them and chose one doctor.

krystrist2014 · June 2014

krystrist2014 said:

Hi Ladies!
So, I recently moved from one side of the DC metropolitan area to the other side and am having to find a new OB (heartbroken because I love my current OB) because the 50 mile drive to my current doc is just too much to juggle with work and life.
My Mom has insisted that it is very important to find out what a doctor's c-section rate is in order to factor that in to my decision. I understand why she has suggested this, however, I am having a very difficult time finding this kind of information online via websites like healthgrades.com and hospital websites. When I called the offices of one of the OBs I am currently considering just now the receptionist I posed the question too (or rather made the inquiry to) seemed completely confused by my question. This made me feel like I am asking something completely out of the ordinary here.
Did anyone ask this question before choosing an OB or has anyone tried to find this kind of information before?

**EDIT: by C-section rates I meant # of C-sections per deliveries they have performed. My Moms concern is doctors that do unnecessary C-sections because its more convenient for them not to have to wait on you if your labor is dragging on.

Edited the post to clear up confusion over my use of the word rate. Basically I am looking to find out how often they perform c-sections

Daneicy80 · June 2014

Other posters seem to be interpreting this as a cost/price to have a c-section vs. vaginal. I took the OP to mean a doctor's rate of c-sections as a statistic... like 40% of their live births are via c-section.

Maybe the receptionist was also confused?

krystrist2014 · June 2014

Daneicy80 said:

Other posters seem to be interpreting this as a cost/price to have a c-section vs. vaginal. I took the OP to mean a doctor's rate of c-sections as a statistic... like 40% of their live births are via c-section.

Maybe the receptionist was also confused?

Lol. Yes, I should have been clearer in the post. :P But, no, I clarified with the receptionist at the docs office that I was looking to find out how many c-sections per deliveries performed. Her follow up question was "like, per month?" and then I got unsure of my own question, but responded with my original line of thinking "no, throughout the duration of her practice". Who knows what she will come back to me with if she calls back at all.

JaymeeLH · June 2014

I think if that's something important to you then absolutely find out. I moved recently as well and looked into the hospital c-section rates and chose my midwife based on the hospitals rates and who had rights at that hospital. For me, I fell in love with the hospital and their birthing center before I found a midwife. It's important to me to go natural if I can, so I wanted a facility that would support that

krystrist2014 · June 2014

MJLovey said:

I think if the concern is that they do unnecessary c-sections, you should have an honest conversation with your new OB on your birth plan desires and explain that you only want a c-section if it is absolutely necessary for the health of you or your baby. Also, keep in mind there's no guarantee that your OB will be the one with you during labor & delivery. My OB's office explained that while they try as much as possible to make sure that my OB will be the one there for me, due to other emergencies, etc that it is not 100% guaranteed and that another OB from the practice might be a substitute during L&D.

That's a great point too! Thanks for giving a bit of perspective

aeseager · June 2014

I didn't ask, because I see a midwife. They can't perform c-sections, an OB would be called in. However, when I was touring the hospital they had the statistics. They have the statistic as a percent per month, and told us the past three months. You might want to look into the hospital where your OB works with.

ColeyCannoli · June 2014

My OB office actually has five doctors and I see a different one each time I go in - which is a smart way to be sure that their patients will know the doctor on call no matter when they deliver. I have asked each one that I've met with so far about c-sections, episiotomies, etc. just to know where they stand. I would definitely suggest just coming out with your concerns as early as you can. Ask your hospital about it too. Since c-sections are surgeries, they are more likely to have the exact info on how many happen per birth there (and often it's more about hospital procedure than your OB's preferences).

If it still bugs you (or your mom) you can hire a doula or bring a written birth plan with you. Having an advocate can help at least make you feel better. But, really, sometimes a c-section is necessary and it's not just a doctor trying to pull one over on you because they are lazy. As a healthcare worker, I've heard this rhetoric a lot lately. It's honestly insulting to all the people who do work very hard and very long hours to care for strangers when people assume before meeting us that we are plotting against them somehow. You always have the right to refuse any treatment and if a doctor is worth their pay they will discuss their reasons with you (or your family) before pulling you into surgery.

krystrist2014 · June 2014

ColeyCannoli said:

My OB office actually has five doctors and I see a different one each time I go in - which is a smart way to be sure that their patients will know the doctor on call no matter when they deliver. I have asked each one that I've met with so far about c-sections, episiotomies, etc. just to know where they stand. I would definitely suggest just coming out with your concerns as early as you can. Ask your hospital about it too. Since c-sections are surgeries, they are more likely to have the exact info on how many happen per birth there (and often it's more about hospital procedure than your OB's preferences).

If it still bugs you (or your mom) you can hire a doula or bring a written birth plan with you. Having an advocate can help at least make you feel better. But, really, sometimes a c-section is necessary and it's not just a doctor trying to pull one over on you because they are lazy. As a healthcare worker, I've heard this rhetoric a lot lately. It's honestly insulting to all the people who do work very hard and very long hours to care for strangers when people assume before meeting us that we are plotting against them somehow. You always have the right to refuse any treatment and if a doctor is worth their pay they will discuss their reasons with you (or your family) before pulling you into surgery.

This makes total sense. Honestly, I hadn't considered asking the question before my Mom brought it up because I am pretty outspoken and am confident in my rights as patient to refuse care. I think my Mom's issues come from when she was in labor with me, she had an OB insist that she needed to get a C-section after he labor (whether that was active or not I am not sure lol) was dragging on over 24 hours... she refused, I assume because he didn't give here a good enough medical reason why it was necessary, and I was born naturally and perfectly healthy.

Anyways, I totally understand that most healthcare professionals are not out to go against patient wishes and are there to help keep mom and baby safe.

kayak11 · June 2014

That makes more sense to me now. I was wondering why your mom would be so concerned with asking what the OB would charge. Duh, misinterpretation on my part

I'm pretty sure the hospital could give you that info if the OB's office was confused.

MrsNash37212 · June 2014

In my *personal* experience looking, only the OB's with low c-section rates could tell me what theirs is. Is there a local board you can ask on? Or Facebook group? I've found the "natural" groups to be a good resource for narrowing it down to a list of names I want to interview. That's how I found my OB and he knew his c-section rate was 15% the moment I asked him. Doulas can also be a good resource. They know who is easy to work with and who isn't.

krystrist2014 · June 2014

MrsNash37212 said:

In my *personal* experience looking, only the OB's with low c-section rates could tell me what theirs is. Is there a local board you can ask on? Or Facebook group? I've found the "natural" groups to be a good resource for narrowing it down to a list of names I want to interview. That's how I found my OB and he knew his c-section rate was 15% the moment I asked him. Doulas can also be a good resource. They know who is easy to work with and who isn't.

Great suggestions! Thank you!!

Amelia4 · June 2014

I ended up with a c-section for my first (he was breech and my blood pressure was high, so no ECV as an option). But I asked my doc and his partner at my first appointment with each. My doc's was just under 10% rate as a primary c-section, overall between 25 and 30%. His partner didn't know his primary rate and his overall was about 35%. So even within the same practice, his partner is more inclined to go c-section than my doctor. It's a mentality that pervades their approach to a pregnancy, as I found out with my first. I agree that a doc with a low rate will know it. I'd call and ask to speak to or leave a message with the doctor's nurse. She's more likely to know (or find out) than the receptionist and hospital numbers only go so far.

Cheekers2010 · June 2014

Your doctor should definitely know their percentages (usually per year). This is not a weird question by any means. Don't feel strange asking it. You may need to talk to the doctor's assistant rather than the receptionist. Just ask what percent of deliveries were by c-section in the last year. GL!

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