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I just watched a disturbing report from Diane Sawyer on ABC that said maternal death is on the rise nationwide.
A little perspective: In California, 95 women in half a million births died, according to a recent study. So statistically that's not a lot and it's still quite rare, but in the human world even one mom dying is too much.
This is not news you want to hear when you're expecting. But it's news you need to hear because there are things you can do to cut your risk.
The big one: Ask to wear compression boots before and after your C-section!
They might have saved the life of one mom featured in the segment, who died after a blood clot in her leg traveled to her brain and hemorrhaged shortly after delivering her daughter, Isabella.
Many hospitals routinely fit pregnant moms preparing for surgery with the boots, which when filled with air compress blood vessels to prevent clots and keep the blood flowing, but some do not. So you need to ask; demand them if necessary.
Rising maternal deaths may be due partly to obesity. One in 5 women are obese during pregnancy, and these women tend to have cardiovascular and circulatory problems. More women are also having C-sections, which boosts the risk of infection, another cause of death after delivery. Multiple C-sections increase the risk even more.
Besides avoiding C-sections when possible, experts also say to avoid induction because it often leads to the procedure.
Are you delivering by C-section by choice? Has your doctor shared the risks with you yet?
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Comments (14)
I did not know that you could deliver c-section by choice. The guy that did my last U/S when I was pregnant with my daughter even suggested that I have a c-section and my doctor said "no". She told me that if we ran into complications, we would consider it but as far as she was concerned, I was able to deliver the good old fashioned way and she would rather try it that way first.
I would be sure to ask my doctor about these boots and all my other millions questions I am certain I would have.
I knew about those things with some of my c-sections. I had never heard of them with my first but then my mom died and they had them on her while she was in the hospital (after surgery). So I knew what they were and what they were for but never thought about the fact that I didn't have them after my next 2 c-sections (at the same hospital my mom died at).
Since then I think it has become much more common. My last one I had them. Man did I hate them. They were so freaking annoying but I didn't complain much. After 4 c-sections I became utterly paranoid about blood clots. Even long after the birth I get up and move around all the time. Now I'm due with #5 and the parnoia is kicking in high. I'll definitely make sure I get those annoying things again.
I think that is my biggest worry. Even after having a uterine infection last time. I'm less worried about that happening again or excessive bleeding then I am about blood clots.
I wore the compression boots for days after my c-section -- my swelling was intense but I had preeclampsia/HELLP syndrome so it was worse. Wearing these plus taking them off from time to time and rotating my ankles, walking as much as I could, was recommended.
Honestly I think the boots is something a mom should know about -- but that should be the HOSPITAL'S responsibility.
A c-section also needs to be treated like a MAJOR abdominal surgery - since it is one - instead of just another "choice" for birth. With it, the risks to mom and baby and FUTURE babies should always be discussed as well.
i had a c section 3 years ago and never heard of compression boots, ii'm trying for a v-bac this time around but if at the end i end up with a c-section i'll be asking for them =-D thanks for posting this, i learned something new today =-D
I just have to point out... Yes, just one death in "the human world" is too much but why are we not mentioning that the US has one of the WORST maternal and fetal percentages in the developed world?
While I don't work on a maternity floor, I do know that pneumatic compression devices (such as you mentioned above) are standard for most every surgical patient. Everyone I have visited in the hospital after a section has them in their room. Though our hospital uses venodynes (which are a white wrap-style that go around the lower portion of the leg) other places use actual boots that include the foot. They are connected to a compression device which automatically inflates & deflates the wraps at a set interval to help lower the risk of blood clot formation. Good luck with all your upcoming deliveries. :)
Karen
I had an emergency C section with my last baby and noone in the hospital mentioned anything about these boots. Thanks for mentioning the boots.
Both my babies were c-sections and the hospital just automatically put those boots on me after delivery. I didn't know anything about them before having my kids. I'd never even heard of them....
Good info to put out there for other expectant moms.
This article seems like it is definately on the extreme side, and also on the anti anything other than natural birth side of things.