WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for February, 1998: Re: epidurals ... and NY C-section rates

Re: epidurals ... and NY C-section rates

From: Amy (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sat, 28 Feb 1998 10:17:09 -0600 (CST)

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At Fri, 27 Feb 1998, Barbara wrote:

>
>And you have a right to your opinion Amy.. But; and again the Big But
>here is to name names... There are hosspitals all over the wooorld with
>similar stats and to signal out one hospital and one physician, Is
>Unfair... IMHO...

Barbara,

It was Dr. Marchbein who stated that 92% of women had epidurals at his hospital. I don't think it is confrontational or unfair to ask him about those statistics. It could be that he doesn't agree with an epidural rate like that. And most doctors *do* know what their hospital's cesarean rates are.

>May I ask you what your statistics are going to be used for? Are you
>curently pregnant? Are you doing a report for a class? Your signature
>states: Amy D
>"Birth Works student", as a nurse I am Not familar with that title.
>

The statistics would be used to back up what I believe about an epidural rate that seems to be high. I know I have heard that that is a high rate, but I also know that physicians like to have studies to cite. No, I'm not pregnant (though I sure wish I was.. infertility stinks!), and Birth Works is a national childbirth preparation program, which believes in the normalcy of birth; that birth is a natural event - not a medical one.

>Where are Your statistics?
>>

Like I said, I'm looking for studies. There are many books out there that refer to the cascade of interventions that lead to a higher cesarean rate, but I am sure that the doctors will want "real studies" to support those claims.

>Are you aware of what the letters in the word assume stand for? On the
>First day of my nurses traing it was explained as this: ASSUME make an
>ass out of U & ME!!! Never assume Anything! I have remembered that
>well...

Unless a doctor states that his/her epidural or cesarean rate is different from the hospital's rate, it is perfectly within a consumer's right to assume that the rate is similar. I currently see two different OBGYNS (one doesn't handle infertility), and questioned both of them on their cesarean rates. One OBGYN works at a hospital with a 28% cesarean rate, and told me her rate was 14%. The other doctor works at a hospital with a rate of 14%, and her rate is 11%. They were both perfectly willing to be honest with me about their statistics. I wonder, though, if either of them had a higher rate, if they would be more reluctant to say so.

>
>>The information is out there. It's just a matter of >gathering it, and an
>>informed consumer will be able to find it, and make an informed decision
>>about epidural use.
>
>Then Why ask it here if you already have access to the answer?
>

There was an original poster of this question who is looking for the information. SHE was being an informed consumer by asking on this forum. It is unfortunate that the attitude seems to be one of secrecy or elusiveness. Why is it such a "personal" attack to ask about a hospital's 92% epidural rate? Certainly any doctor would know about his/her personal and hospital rates, and be able to answer the question.

> I think that my original question to Dr. Marchbein
>>was valid, and I also think Emma's post of the news article was valid.
>
>And you have the right to believe that And I have the right to say do
>not single out One physician, by Name, to be responsible for all
>physicians...
>

I never said that. What I asked was whether he thought a 92% epidural rate was high, because it seemed high to me. Maybe it isn't. Maybe all hospitals administer epidurals routinely. I don't know. He is in a better situation to answer that question than I am. He would know if 92% of women in his practice require an epidural to deliver their babies.

>>Dr. Marchbein is an excellent resource to your forum, but I don't think
>>it is wrong to ask questions or supply information that may contradict
>>what someone says (especially in the case of medical studies).
>
>Perhaaps it woould be best then, Not to ask questions By Name..
>

Again, Dr. M was the one who said his hospital had a 92% epidural rate. I can't ask another doctor if he knows what Dr. M's hospital's cesarean rate is, can I?

--
Amy
Birth Works student

Next message: ann: "Re: Raloxifene"
Previous message: anonymous@obgyn.net: "Re: Genital Warts"
In reply to: Barbara: "Re: epidurals ... and NY C-section rates"
Next in thread: Geffrey H. Klein, MD: "Re: epidurals ... and NY C-section rates"
Reply: Geffrey H. Klein, MD: "Re: epidurals ... and NY C-section rates"

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