PROVIDENCE, R.I.—Rhode Island health officials are warning the 11/11/11 date on the calendar is no reason for mothers to have an unnecessary Caesarean section.
The state Department of Health says Friday's unique date is fine for a wedding anniversary, but warns mothers should not plan a C-section on 11/11/11 to secure a special birthday for their child.
Health Director Dr. Michael Fine says medically unnecessary C-sections performed before a full-term pregnancy contribute to public health problems and long-term consequences associated with premature birth. He says C-sections should only be performed when necessary.
Health officials say Centers for Disease Control and Prevention figures indicate the state's C-section rate jumped 82 percent from 1996 to 2007.
The figures show C-sections accounted for 32 percent of births in 2007 and 33 percent last year.
