Florida Law Allows C-Sections Outside of Hospitals

Florida has recently become the first state to permit doctors to perform C-sections outside of hospitals as a new law goes into effect. This change aims to lower costs and provide a more comfortable environment for pregnant women during childbirth, according to CNN.

However, the hospital industry and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists argue that this innovation could increase risks for women and children if complications arise. Opponents say you cannot always predict which deliveries will have complications requiring lifesaving emergency care.

This spring, a law was passed allowing advanced birth centers where patients can give birth naturally or by C-section, provided they have a minimal risk of complications. Women in labor can stay overnight in these centers.

In the U.S., nearly a third of births are C-sections, a surgical procedure involving an incision in the uterus and abdominal wall. C-sections are often deemed safer than vaginal births and may be planned or done on an emergency basis.

Since 2019, seventeen hospitals in Florida have closed their maternity units due to low insurance compensation and high medical malpractice costs.

Florida law mandates that the new advanced birth centers have an agreement to transfer women to hospitals if complications arise, but it doesn’t specify where these centers can be located or how close the centers need to be to receiving hospitals.