Should c/s rates be published? Naming & shaming...

[Snacks]

Yes, but for what purpose?

For the very purpose of 'getting the birth you want'. If I want an intervention-free birth, I will not go to a hospital where the c/s rate is abnormally high.

i think if you are after a vaginal birth, then choose to birth at home or in a birth centre, then there's the least likely opportunatey of an unnecessary c/s

That's not fair! I can't afford to birth at home (can't afford the pvt midwife who's services wouldn't be covered under my health fund), and the closest birth centre to me is a good drive away and very popular. Why don't I have the right to choose to birth in a hospital AND have a low or intervention-free birth?
This is kind of academic because I am fortunate enough to have had and currently have low risk pregnancies, so I can go through the public system and see midwives. This is my way of minimising intervention. However, were I to need the services of an OB because of a higher risk pg, then I would want to choose a place where my desire for low intervention would be respected. Surely I have that right?

[Matryoshka]

For the very purpose of 'getting the birth you want'. If I want an intervention-free birth, I will not go to a hospital where the c/s rate is abnormally high.

That's not fair! I can't afford to birth at home (can't afford the pvt midwife who's services wouldn't be covered under my health fund), and the closest birth centre to me is a good drive away and very popular. Why don't I have the right to choose to birth in a hospital AND have a low or intervention-free birth?
This is kind of academic because I am fortunate enough to have had and currently have low risk pregnancies, so I can go through the public system and see midwives. This is my way of minimising intervention. However, were I to need the services of an OB because of a higher risk pg, then I would want to choose a place where my desire for low intervention would be respected. Surely I have that right?

Well then then wouldn't you want epidural rates, vaccuum rates, forceps rates etc publicised (dont know if they already are).

I was just trying to say that the only way to really secure an in control birth, low risk of "intervention", is birthing at home, b/c. And yes, money is an issue in other states (not here in WA - home birth is free.) But thats a separate issue, agree ALL choices should be publicly funded - c/s and homebirth.

[Snacks]

Well then then wouldn't you want epidural rates, vaccuum rates, forceps rates etc publicised (dont know if they already are).

Well, sure. That'd be interesting reading too The fact is, that many unnecessary ceasareans wouldn't occur if dr's didn't intervene with the above in the first place. So yes, I'd want to know those things, but the c/s rate would give me a fair idea without knowing those things, KWIM?

I was just trying to say that the only way to really secure an in control birth, low risk of "intervention", is birthing at home, b/c.

I hear you, but do you not think that is something to remedy? We CAN achieve a low-intervention birth in hospital if we are educated, aware and well supported. In order to educate ourselves we need to get our hands on information. The information should be freely available.