Childbirth and social class: The case of cesarean delivery

Hurst, Marsha; Summey, Pamela S.

doi:10.1016/0277-9536(84)90290-9

Cited by 38 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…The patterns presented here are provocative and support Hurst and Summey's (1984) contention that cesarean rates are affected by factors related to class, or in this case, access to governmentsponsored health programs and private medical insurance which assist in paying for the operation. However, these data do not lead to the drawing of definitive conclusions on the variation in rates of cesarean between Mexican immigrant women and U .…”

Section: Discussion and Qualitative Observationssupporting

confidence: 66%

Utilization of Health Services by Mexican Immigrant Women in San Diego

1986

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ABSTRACT. The limited empirical data available on maternal health problems among Mexican immigrant women in the United States suggest that they undcrutilize health services, especially general preventive care. Research conducted among legal and undocumented women in the Mexican immigrant population in San Diego, California, support these findings. Among undocumented mothers, 11.5% of their births in the U.S. occurred with no prenatal care or care sought in the third trimester, which is much higher than Mexican women legally in the country (3.6%) and the general San Diego maternal population (3.8%). When we examine births which occurred within the last five years by immigration status, we find that women legally in the country have a much higher rate of cesarean delivery of both undocumented women and women in the general San Dicgo maternal population. Undocumented women in our sample were much less likely than their legal counterparts (a) to return for postpartum examinations for themselves, (b) lo seek neonatal care for their infants, and (c) to have had Pap examinations or carry out breast self-examinations.

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Section: Discussion and Qualitative Observationssupporting

confidence: 66%

Utilization of Health Services by Mexican Immigrant Women in San Diego

1986

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“…Individual nonclinical characteristics are also associated with cesarean use [29,42]. Previous work has identified a positive association between cesarean rates and maternal education [47], income [17], and Hispanic ethnicity [19].…”

Section: Clinical and Nonclinical Factors And Use Of The Cesarean Secmentioning

confidence: 97%

Explaining Source of Payment Differences in U.S. Cesarean Rates: Why do Privately Insured Mothers Receive More Cesareans than Mothers Who are not Privately Insured?

Grant

2005

Health Care Manage Sci

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The difference in the risk-adjusted cesarean rates of mothers who are and who are not privately insured is divided into components attributable to the following four factors: the practice style of the physician attending the birth, the closeness of the physician-mother relationship, individual nonclinical factors, and the direct influence of private insurance on the physician's treatment decision. Estimates from two expansive, complementary data sets indicate that the most of the differential is attributable to the first two factors, particularly the pairing of privately insured mothers with physicians who are inclined to perform cesareans. There is some evidence that these pairings are not incidental but the result of firm (and possibly consumer) choices.

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“…Cesareans were first performed in the 1800s, and cannot be considered a "new" reproductive technology. However, the increase in the frequency of cesarean sections can be traced, at least in part, to the other technologies we have discussed, as they have changed the definition of "fetal distress" (Hurst & Summey, 1984). Most medical texts recommend cesareans in cases of fetal distress, prolonged labor, unusually large fetuses or women with unusually small pelvises, or when the woman has a condition such as herpes that could be transmitted to the infant during birth (Marieskind, 1982).…”

Section: Birth-related Technologiesmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…The procedure tends to be performed more frequently in women of higher socioeconomic classes, who have private medical insurance, and who have had cesarean sections in previous births (Gould, Davey, & Stafford, 1989;Hurst & Summey, 1984;Stafford, 1990). Cesarean rates are correlated with number of malpractice claims against the hospital and with how likely the physician thinks the patient would be to sue if something went wrong (Localio et al, 1993).…”

Section: Birth-related Technologiesmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Cesarean rates are correlated with number of malpractice claims against the hospital and with how likely the physician thinks the patient would be to sue if something went wrong (Localio et al, 1993). Cesareans are also performed for older mothers, when the fetus is in the breech position, and to time the birth for the physician's convenience (Hurst & Summey, 1984). The maternal mortality rate for cesareans is about four times higher than for vaginal births, and at least one third of women contract infections following a cesarean section (Ruzek, 1991).…”

Section: Birth-related Technologiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Motherhood and Reproductive Issues

Chrisler

Johnston‐Robledo

Issues in the Psychology of Women

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INTRODUCTlONThe topics discussed in this chapter (menstruation, menopause, pregnancy, birth, contraception, and motherhood) are central to the psychology of women. They are, after all, experienced only by women, and most women, despite the diversity of their lives, will experience menstruation and menopause and consider whether (and when) to use contraception. The majority of women will become pregnant at some point in their lives, and most who do will become mothers. Thus, our menstrual, menopausal, and reproductive experiences have the potential to draw together women who otherwise might not have much in common, and women do, under congenial circumstances, enjoy sharing with each other stories about menarche and mothering or arguing about whose labor or hot flashes were the most difficult to endure.Although menarche can be a source of pride, pregnancy exciting, and motherhood the fount of our greatest joys, reproduction can also become oppressive to women. Obstetrics and Gynecology, the only medical specialty exclusively focused on women, essentially defines women in terms of the traditional roles of wife and mother, and it redefines normal developmental events in women's lives into illnesses and medical emergencies (Gannon, 1998;Rosser, 1993). Medical imperialism (Gannon, 1998) and sociocultural pressures can combine to convince women that they have little control over their reproductive experiences or force them to be secretive about the decisions they have made. Therefore, counselors and psychotherapists who work with women should expect to hear a wide range of attitudes, concerns, and experiences with regard to the topics of this chapter. MENSTRUATIONMost Western women can expect to experience monthly menstrual cycles for three to four decades. The regular appearance of the menses is a sign of good health, is symbolic of a connection to other women, represents biological maturity, signifies our ability to bear children, but lets us know we are not pregnant (Chrisler, 1996). The menstrual cycle provides a clear distinction between women and men, and, as a result, "its correlates, concomitants, ac-

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Childbirth and social class: The case of cesarean delivery

Cited by 38 publications

References 18 publications

Utilization of Health Services by Mexican Immigrant Women in San Diego

Utilization of Health Services by Mexican Immigrant Women in San Diego

Explaining Source of Payment Differences in U.S. Cesarean Rates: Why do Privately Insured Mothers Receive More Cesareans than Mothers Who are not Privately Insured?

Motherhood and Reproductive Issues

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