Medical experts are applauding efforts to decrease the number of unnecessary C-sections performed in New Jersey. The state Department of Health’s latest hospital maternity care report card shows cesarean delivery rates have declined in recent years. Data shows New Jersey’s cesarean delivery rate in 2020 was 32.9%, a 1% drop from the year before and down from 35.7% when the state released its first hospital maternity care report card.
Medical experts attribute the decline to improved birthing plans with patients as well as increased access to labor support.
Maternal health care has been a priority for the Murphy administration, which has had a goal of lowering the rate of medically unnecessary c-sections.
“C-sections put women and their babies at greater risk for serious complications. For babies it’s complications that can mean higher rates of infection. For mothers, it also puts them at higher risk for complications, such as higher rates of hemorrhage, infections, and blood clots,” said Adelisa Perez-Hudgins, the director of quality at the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute.