My Birth Matters, a major educational campaign recently launched by the California Health Care Foundation, the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative, and Consumer Reports aims to educate women about the overuse of cesarean sections and encourage them to speak to their care providers to ensure that a cesarean be performed only when absolutely needed.

Overuse of C-sections matters because the surgery brings serious risks both for babies (such as higher rates of infection, respiratory complications, and neonatal intensive care unit stays, as well as lower breastfeeding rates) and mothers (such as higher rates of hemorrhage, transfusions, infection, and blood clots).                                                                                               

Additionally, once a mother has had a C-section, she has a greater than 90% chance of having the procedure for subsequent births — leading to higher risks of major complications, such as hysterectomy and uterine rupture. Sometimes C-sections are needed. But some hospitals are quicker to perform a C-section than others, even when they could have been avoided.

Expectant mothers can play an important role in reducing their odds for an avoidable cesarean. This animated video, produced by the campaign, shows how mothers can engage in an open and honest discussion with their caregivers about avoiding an unnecessary cesarean.

Although My Birth Matters is primarily aimed at mothers with a first pregnancy, the evidence also applies to mothers with a prior cesarean. By laboring for a VBAC a mother can reduce her risk for major complications related to multiple repeat cesareans.

Additional resources for expectant mothers and health care professionals is available for free in English and Spanish.

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