Cesarean Rates at GRMC Drop Significantly

The Kintzinger Women’s Health Center staff and physicians report that the number of cesarean deliveries, commonly called c-section births, and inductions at Grinnell Regional Medical Center decreased in 2014. The rate of first-time mothers having a c-section at GRMC in 2014 was 12.10 percent. This is significantly below the national average of 20.1 percent and the Iowa average of 19.1 percent.

 Decreasing c-section rates across the country is a priority of The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The team of physicians and staff at GRMC have set up policies and protocols that prohibit starting labor, also called induction, or performing c-sections prior to 39 weeks unless the health of the mother or baby are in jeopardy.

Because induced labors are more likely to lead to a c-section delivery, fewer inductions have led to fewer total c-section births. Fewer early births reduce the number of infants who need neonatal intensive care after birth. The induction rate at GRMC has been lowered significantly to 24 percent.

In 2014, GRMC’s Kintzinger Women’s Health Center staff and physicians were recognized by the Iowa Healthcare Collaborative for their work in reducing early elective deliveries overall. At GRMC, the standard for care is no early elective deliveries by induction of labor or scheduled cesarean sections prior to 39 weeks, 0 days, unless medically necessary for the health of the infant or the mother.

For more information on births at GRMC, call the Kintzinger Women’s Health Center ato 641-236-2324.

Side bar:

Best for Babies

The National Institute for Healthcare Management reports the potential negative health consequences of early elective delivery, along with the associated costs, are placing an unnecessary burden on infants, mothers, and the healthcare system as a whole.

Infants face an increased risk of:

·         Lower brain mass – the brain at 35 weeks weighs only two-thirds of what it does at 39-40 weeks.

·         Low birth weight – the average preterm baby weighs less than 5 pounds while the average full-term baby weighs between 7 and 8 pounds.

·         Feeding problems.

·         Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) – one in ten premature babies develops RDS.

·         Longer hospital stays – the average newborn stay is two days versus 14 days for preterm infants.

Mothers face an increased risk of:

·         Postpartum depression.

·         Cesarean delivery – elective inductions are two times more likely to result in cesarean delivery.

·         Complications requiring longer hospital stay – the average vaginal delivery stay is two days versus four days for a cesarean delivery with complications.

Source: The National Institute for Healthcare Management