Home > Media Relations > Mercy News Archive

Media Relations: Mercy News Archive

Mercy high risk OB/GYN Dr. Robert Atlas

Mercy's Dr. Robert Atlas, OB/GYN, Discusses Study That Examines Factors Influencing Rise In C-Sections

A new study shows cesarean rates in the U.S. continue to rise in many hospitals partially due to the perception that they're safe.

In the early 1990s, about 21 percent of all deliveries were C-section. The rate is about 32 percent today and, at some hospitals, the rates are even higher.

According to Dr. Robert Atlas, Chair of the Department of Obstetrics at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, MD, there's one main reason for the increase in C-sections.

"I think the fact that the cesarean has become a fairly safe procedure -- that women and people view it as a normal, easy thing to have done. The problem is, it's not that easy," he said.

The study looked at why C-sections rates were rising, including reasons such as fetal heart rate problems, breeched babies, multifetal pregnancies and more obese women having big babies. Also, it looked at the increase in elective C-sections.

"If you need a C-section, you need a C-section. It can save your life, and it can save your child's life," Dr. Atlas said. "But for any friend who wants to know, I would highly recommend trying for a vaginal birth because the complications from recovering from a major surgery are so difficult."

To view Dr. Atlas’ interview for “The Woman’s Doctor,” click this link: http://www.wbaltv.com/womansdoctor/29016056/detail.html. To view WBAL’s “web extra,” more in-depth interview with Dr. Atlas, click here: http://www.wbaltv.com/video/29017097/detail.html