Consumer Reports finds high C-section rates

Study shows woman's chance of C-section related to hospital choice

SAN ANTONIO – Consumer Reports’ latest study finds that the number of cesarean deliveries remains very high in the U.S.

Women who have C-sections can find that it takes longer to recover and that it’s more likely that any other children they have will also be delivered by C-section.

Consumer Reports looked into why so many women with low-risk first pregnancies end up having C-sections. Its Health Rating Center analyzed hospital data from across the country and found that the likelihood of having a C-section often comes down to the hospital where a woman delivers.

The C-section rate considered reasonable from the Department of Health and Human Resources is under 24 percent for women with low-risk first pregnancies, but many hospitals exceed that.

Sixty percent of hospital exceeded that rate, including some San Antonio hospitals.

For Baptist Medical Center, Consumer Reports found a rate of 31 percent.

For University Hospital, the rate was 34 percent. Methodist Hospital's was 35 percent while Methodist Stone Oak's was 40 percent.

Christus Santa Rosa was not rated because its data was not reported or available.

Click here to see how other Texas hospitals fared.

There are situations when having a C-section is the safest delivery option. Consumer Reports encourages women to ask their obstetrician what his or her C-section rate is and to discuss birth plan options.

Below are hospital responses:

Methodist Healthcare System -- Carla  Sierra, Division Director of Public Relations

"At Methodist Healthcare, we actively review our internal data and have processes in place to support birthing decisions like C-sections, being made between a family and physician with the goal of  healthy mothers and healthy babies. Since 2014, Methodist Healthcare has ranked in the 90th percentile in the country for ensuring elective deliveries at or greater than 39 weeks and by the third quarter of 2015, there were zero elective deliveries less than 39 weeks."

University Health System

"University Hospital serves as a Level IV maternal center, taking care of the most complex pregnancies in South Texas, including mothers with serious medical problems and pregnancies involving babies with birth defects. Many of these patients require Cesarean delivery for the safety of both mother and baby.  The safety and well-being of our patients is our greatest priority, and our physicians and managers regularly monitor and review these data to make sure we're providing optimum and evidence-based care."

Baptist Health System

"Baptist Health System is dedicated to delivering safe, high-quality care to our patients.  Each patient’s delivery requires a careful decision based on what is best for the health of the expectant mom and her baby. Our caregivers work to educate expecting families on all of their birthing options, in addition to encouraging patients and physicians to develop a birthing plan in advance of delivery that respects the mother’s wishes. We encourage expecting families to ask questions, express their preferences, and be comfortable with their physician’s commitment to do what is best.  As there are many factors that impact a mother’s decision to have a C-section, our system is always focused on driving improvement in this area.”


About the Author:

Marilyn Moritz is an award-winning journalist dedicated to digging up information that can make people’s lives a little bit better. As KSAT’S 12 On Your Side Consumer reporter, she focuses on exposing scams and dangerous products and helping people save money.