The number of preterm births in the United States grew by more than a third between 1996 and 2004, and Cesarean sections accounted for the vast majority of the increase, researchers said this week.The full article can be read here.
Most of the upsurge involved what physicians call late-preterm babies, those born after 34 to 36 weeks of gestation rather than the normal full term of 38 to 42 weeks.
Physicians are concerned about the growing number of late-preterm babies -- which now account for 72% of all preemies -- because recent studies have shown serious health risks for them, including immature organs, breathing problems, feeding problems, difficulties regulating body temperature, jaundice and a threefold increase in death during the first year of life.
This makes me REALLY sad, and a little ill. So many people believe their doctors wouldn't do anything to hurt them or their babies... this is just another example of where patient's need to inform themselves before consenting.
While many of the C-sections are medically necessary, experts fear that growing numbers are the result of physicians' fears of lawsuits arising from labor complications and mothers' desire to schedule births at convenient times.