Q&A: Hospital C-Section Rates, Group B Strep, Deciding on Induction

how to find hospital c-section rates, group B strep, and deciding on an induction

In this episode of the Breath and Birth Co. podcast, Vanessa, a Certified Birth Doula and Certified Childbirth Educator, answers common questions from expecting parents. She provides an explanation on how to find hospital C-section rates, the implications of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) on your care plan, and what to consider if your provider schedules a 39-week induction without proper discussion. Vanessa emphasizes the importance of informed decision-making, discussing the use of the BRAINS acronym to evaluate medical procedures and interventions. Tune in for resources, advice, and encouragement to help you navigate your pregnancy and birth journey.


Q1: Is there a way to find out my hospital’s c-section rates?'

If you are choosing to birth in a hospital setting, there is an excellent resource that pulls together statistical data from hospitals across the United States. The Leap Frog Group website shares everything from safety and infection rates to key maternity care indicators such as:

  • High Risk Deliveries: based on quantity of “very-low birth weight babies per year” OR “lower-than-average morbidity/mortality rate for very-low birth weight babies.”

  • Cesarean Sections: a percentage defined as “first-time mothers giving birth to a single baby, at full-term, in the head-down position who deliver their babies through a C-section” (aka percentages reported already remove “high-risk” pregnancy and labor factors). Hospitals should have a rate of C-sections of 23.6% or less according to Leap Frog Group.

    • Global epidemiological studies from the last decade suggest the optimal CS rates in developed countries exist somewhere between 15-19% (Source: J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2017 Dec 1;26(12):1285–1291. doi: 10.1089/jwh.2016.6188)

  • Early Elective Deliveries: defined as “mothers being scheduled for cesarean setions or medication inductions prior to 39 weeks gestation without medical reason.” Hospitals should have a rate of early elective deliveries of 5% or less according to Leap Frog Group.

  • Episiotomies: defined as “mothers having an incision made in the perineum (the birth canal) during childbirth.” Hospitals should have a rate of episiotomies of 5% or less according to Leap Frog Group.

  • Screening Newborns for Jaundice Before Discharge: Hospitals should screen at least 90% of babies for jaundice according to Leap Frog Group.

  • Preventing Blood Clots in Women Undergoing Cesarean Section: At least 90% of women undergoing a cesarean section should receive treatment to prevent blood clots according to Leap Frog Group.

  • Number of Live Births: quantity of live births during the reporting period

  • Midwives: whether or not the hospital has Certified Nurse-Midwives and/or Certified Midwives deliver newborns

  • Doulas: whether or not the hospital employs/contracts with doulas or allows patients to bring their own doula

  • Lactation Services: whether or not, and when/where, the hospital provides lactations services (in the hospital, in the outpatient setting, and at home after discharge)

  • Vaginal Delivery After Cesarean Section (VBAC): whether or not the hospital allows VBACs

  • Tubal Ligation: whether or not the hospital offers tubal ligation during the labor and delivery admission

Simply type in your state, metropolitan area, or exact facility to see the statistics. Once you’re on the hospital’s stat page, scroll down to “Maternity Care” and expand (+) for the specific data. You can also tab over on the main page to “Maternity Care” and look-up hospitals in your area that meet the criteria you check off on their list.

The Leap Frog Group collects information from all hospitals who send in their data. If your hospital does not submit their data, that is a red flag. (And I suppose credit must be given to even those hospitals with below-stellar statistics, because at least that means they still reported their data so you could make an informed decision!)

For example, here in Columbus, Ohio the Ohio Health system (Riverside Hospital, Grant Hospital, and Dublin Methodist Hospital) do not report their data to Leap Frog. However, the Mount Carmel system (Mt. Carmel St. Ann’s Hospital, Mt. Carmel East, and Mt. Carmel Grove City) do.

All of these data points are incredibly important if you’re looking for a low-intervention hospital birth, and can be key indicators of “standard practice” the providers delivering at those facilities abide by. Does your current provider deliver at a hospital that gave less-than-desirable statistics? I’ve got a FREE guide that walks you through why and how to Choose (or Change) your OBGYN or Midwife with Confidence. Download it here.


Q2: What is GBS and what does it mean for my care plan?

What is GBS? GBS, also known as Group B Strep, or Group B Streptococcus is a common bacterium naturally present in the body. Carrier rates differ around the world, and from Evidence Based Birth’s website, about 18% of pregnant people are carriers of GBS. It is generally harmless to adults but can sometimes cause infections in newborns during labor and delivery.

How is GBS detected? Around 36-37 weeks of pregnancy, your care provider will perform a simple GBS test by swabbing your vagina and rectum. Testing positive means you’re a GBS carrier at the time of testing, not that you have an infection.

What Increases the Risk of GBS Passing to Baby? Several factors can increase the likelihood of GBS transmission:

  • Preterm labor (before 37 weeks).

  • Prolonged rupture of membranes (water breaks 18+ hours before delivery).

  • Fever during labor (greater than 100.4°F/38°C).

  • A previous baby with GBS infection.

  • GBS detected in your urine during pregnancy (indicating a high bacterial load).

What does a positive GBS test mean for your care plan?

  • Antibiotics Will Be Recommended During Labor: If you’re GBS-positive in the US, your care provider will likely recommend intravenous antibiotics during labor to reduce the risk of passing the bacteria to your baby. The goal is to prevent early-onset GBS infection, which can cause serious but rare complications in newborns, such as respiratory issues, sepsis, or meningitis.

  • Timing of Antibiotics: Antibiotics are most effective when given at least 4 hours before delivery. If you have a fast labor or do not receive antibiotics, your baby may be monitored closely after birth for signs of infection.

  • Alternatives: You can always opt not to have the antibiotics if that is your choice. If you’re allergic to certain antibiotics, alternative options will be discussed. Those planning out-of-hospital births may need to discuss antibiotic access and protocols with their provider, if antibiotics are desired.

  • If You’re GBS-Negative: No antibiotics are necessary, and your care plan won’t change regarding GBS.

What else should you know? GBS status can change between pregnancies, so testing is done with each pregnancy. GBS is unrelated to personal hygiene—it’s simply part of the body’s natural flora.

What can you do? Be informed about your GBS status and care plan. Discuss any questions with your provider, such as options for monitoring your baby or alternative care preferences if antibiotics aren’t your choice.


Q3: My provider has scheduled 39-week induction for me without really discussing it. What should I do?

First, for any induction, this should be a shared decision- not your provider scheduling something and telling you to show up. Clarify with your provider by asking directly “Is this induction medically necessary? If so, why? If not, why are you suggesting it?”

Based on their answer, run through the BRAINS acronym.

BRAINS stands for:

  • Benefits: What are the benefits of this procedure or intervention?

  • Risks: What are the risks of this procedure or intervention?

  • Alternatives: Are there any alternatives to what is being suggested?

  • Intuition: What is YOUR intuition telling you about the situation or what you’re beingn told?

  • Nothing or Not Yet: What happens if we do nothing, or just wait a little bit?

  • Space: Allowing space to process the conversation and make an informed decision.

Generally speaking, non-medically indicated reasoning includes:

Why might you want to avoid an early induction? The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and other leading health organizations stress that inductions should ideally be reserved for medical indications unless very specific criteria are met (e.g., the birthing parent is past 39 weeks, and the cervix is favorable). 

  1. The Risk of Unnecessary Interventions. Inducing labor when the body isn’t ready (i.e., the cervix is not ripe) significantly increases the likelihood of cesarean delivery, especially for first-time parents. Induction often leads to epidural use, IV fluids, continuous monitoring, and potential need for assisted delivery (vacuum/forceps). These interventions increase recovery time and reduce birth satisfaction.

  2. Longer, Harder Labor. When the body isn’t naturally ready for labor, induction can lead to longer labors that are more physically and emotionally taxing. We’re talking 1-3 days long, folks. A “failed induction” (no progress after hours of labor) often results in a cesarean, which could have been avoided by waiting for spontaneous labor.

  3. Risk to Baby. Babies born before 39 weeks gestation—especially through elective induction—are at an increased risk of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and other breathing difficulties due to immature lungs. This occurs because the final weeks of pregnancy are critical for lung maturation. Early elective inductions can lead to higher rates ofneonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions, often related to feeding difficulties, temperature regulation issues, and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

Spontaneous labor, when possible, is associated with the best outcomes for both parent and baby. Induction should only be considered when medically indicated or after informed, shared decision-making. Always advocate for evidence-based care and trust your intuition when navigating these conversations.

Sources:

  • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG): ACOG emphasizes that non-medically indicated deliveries should not occur before 39 weeks unless there’s a clear medical reason. Their guidelines state that babies born before 39 weeks are more likely to experience respiratory distress. Reference:ACOG Committee Opinion No. 764

  • March of Dimes: The March of Dimes highlights that elective inductions before 39 weeks are associated with lung complications due to insufficient production of surfactant, a substance critical for proper lung function. Reference:Why at least 39 weeks is best for your baby

  • National Institutes of Health (NIH): A study from the NIH found that elective inductions before 39 weeks are associated with a 20-30% increased likelihood of NICU admission due to prematurity-related complications. Reference: NIH News Release on Risks of Early Birth (NIH.gov)

  • Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM): SMFM underscores that elective delivery before 39 weeks leads to a higher likelihood of NICU stays for newborns, particularly for complications like hypothermia, low blood sugar, and jaundice. Reference:SMFM Statement: Elective Induction and Cesarean Delivery

  • The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP): The AAP has reported that term babies born between 37-38 weeks are more likely to experience complications requiring NICU care compared to those born at 39 weeks or later. Reference:AAP Policy on Non-Medically Indicated Early Term Deliveries


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