VANCOUVER -- In Canada, the Caesarian birth rate has risen to 25 %, up from 17 percent a decade earlier. Here in BC we have the third highest rate at 27 percent. Many assume this is due to pregnant women considering themselves "too posh to push" but there's nothing to confirm this. And medical charts don't tell the whole story, because there are many variables for elective c-sections. So researchers at UBC are launching a new study, the first in Canada, to help tease out what's happening.
Farah Jetha, expectant mom, says, "I am very excited, but I must say I'm getting more anxious about how I'll do in labour and how I'm going to cope."
Farah Jetha is due to have her first child in five weeks. Recently, she's had trouble sleeping, managing only 3 to 5 hours each night.
"I've just gotten into the phase where I fall asleep for a few hours and then I'm awake for the rest of the night. Mostly, physical discomfort in bed. I wake up and can't fall asleep, my mind is racing."
Although no studies have been done in here in Canada, research in the US and other countries has shown a lack of sleep in the third trimester of pregnancy can affect childbirth.
Wendy Hall, Associate Producer, UBC School of Nursing, says, "the women who slept less than 6 hours at night and didn't get naps in daytime and had poorer sleep quality had a greater risk of caesarian section. So, I guess you could think about it if you were going into labour, and you were extremely tired and you're feeling low energy, would you feel ready?"
Other studies have shown high levels of childbirth fear are linked with greater risk of c-sections. To find out what's going on here, researchers at UBC will be looking at the level of childbirth fear, anxiety and sleep deprivation among 1000 pregnant women in BC. Then they'll look at the health records to find out if those factors have any relationship with the rate of c-sections.
Hall also says that we would never say that for an emergency c-section people shouldn't be able to have that, it's critical to the health of mother and baby.
According to the World Health Organization, the rate of c-sections should be between 10-15 percent. Too few or too many can lead to higher rates of death and illness. Farah would prefer to have her baby naturally. Although right now, she's concerned about getting more rest.
C-sections are not only more costly, they carry a greater risk of infection and bleeding. There's a five-fold increase in breathing problems with newborns. And there's a greater chance of hysterectomy and placental problems with multiple c-sections. While it may be difficult for expectant moms, experts say it's really important for them to get enough sleep in their final weeks and talk about their anxieties with their care providers. For more information about the UBC study, you can call 604-822-7480.
Friday May 12, 2006
