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Friend -

When I started teaching childbirth education classes and doing research on childbirth-related issues (okay, about 30 years ago), one of the major concerns was the rising cesarean rate approaching…. 23%. A national effort starting in the late ‘80s led to a reduction in cesareans back down to a little over 20% by 1996.

What’s most remarkable about that effort was that it happened while cesarean rates in other industrialized countries were rapidly increasing. Unfortunately, that success was reversed after 1996 and U.S. cesarean rates rose to 33% by 2007, among the highest in the industrialized world and they have remained there.

When faced with a medical emergency, cesareans can be life-saving operations. While there are risks associated with cesareans, when they are used in response to serious medical conditions (e.g. eclampsia), the risks of not doing a cesarean far outweigh the risks of this major abdominal surgery. However, when cesareans are done for nonmedical reasons, all the risks are associated with the surgery.

That’s why WHO argues that cesarean rates above 15% do not improve outcomes. Meanwhile, countries like Israel, the Netherlands, and Sweden all manage to have cesarean rates half that of the U.S., with better maternal and infant outcomes.

That’s why when the Department of Health and Human Services announced their five-year action plan, we in the maternal health community were pleased to see that they are using a reduction of low-risk cesarean deliveries as one target for improved maternal health in America.

Maternal mortality in the United States remains higher than all other high-income countries. March for Moms has been working to raise awareness at both the national and state level - and finally, policymakers are starting to listen. [[link removed]]

In the next few months, with the bills going through Congress, public health leaders like myself will be watching closely to see the new policies supporting women’s health. With the pandemic continuing to loom and often requiring earlier discharge post-surgery than normally advised, fewer major surgical deliveries would be protective to families.

March for Moms is building a community of maternal health experts, family advocates, and policy leaders to push this country in a new direction when it comes to maternal health. That’s why I’m proud to serve on the board - to use my heavily accented voice to elevate a shared message.

We can make changes to maternal health in America - and we need you with us.

Will you join me in supporting March for Moms today? [[link removed]]

Thank you,

Gene Declercq

Board member, March for Moms

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March for Moms is a non-partisan, 501 ©(3) non-profit that aligns the diverse voices of families, health care providers, policymakers, and partners to advocate for mothers and families’ health, well-being and equal access to care.

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