Hot Topic (2/3): Should c-sections be elective?
Scheduled C-Section? Your Baby's at Risk!
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The problem is when a woman chooses to have her first baby by scheduled C-section. People seem to forget that this is a major surgery, with risks that go with any surgery (bleeding, infection, internal organ damage, etc.). Recovery is longer and usually more painful than after a vaginal delivery. Most importantly to the point of this article, C-section delivery raises the chances of having another C-section with later deliveries to over 90%!
And here's where the babies also have more risk. A new study shows that babies born by scheduled repeat C-section are sicker than if born by vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). They are twice as likely to be admitted to neonatal intensive care, and more likely to have breathing problems requiring oxygen.
The topic of VBAC is controversial, as is planning a first birth by C-section. While a woman's body sure does get stretched out by vaginal delivery, not all problems (such as urine leakage later in life) are avoided by C-section. I will always respect an individual woman's choice for mode of delivery. However, based on my personal and professional experience, and now with study data showing more risk to babies with elective repeat C-section, I encourage women (and their doctors) to make their best effort for a vaginal first birth.
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Should women be able to choose an elective c-section?
Should women be able to choose a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean)?
What do you think about the increasing rates of c-sections? Unnecessary, life-saving or somewhere in between?
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My son was an emergency csection without labor. I don't understand why a perfectly healthy woman with a perfectly healthy baby would want a surgical birth. I hated having a csection. I didn't get to see my son, or hold him for four hours (he was in trouble). You aren't a part of the birthing process. You are strapped down to a table with a drape from your neck down. All you see is your partner holding your hand at your head and a veil of blue. This is the reason why I had VBAC with my daughter. I got to be part of the birth. I got to push, I got to have her slimy body placed on mine after birth. Way better than being sliced and diced with my son! Take it from me, I understand that there are cases in which csections are needed. I just don't understand why a woman would want major surgery if she's healthy and her baby is healthy and they aren't in danger at that moment. A woman should be able to choose VBAC. I did. I'm still here, my baby girl is still here. I didn't split open! It's 1%. Another stat they don't tell you about is that your uterus can actually rupture when you aren't even in labor! I know there is a risk for VBAC, but that's why you need to be in a major medical center that can monitor you and rush you into surgery at the first sign of rupture. As for me, I was perfectly happy with my VBAC and wouldn't do it any different! In some circumstances, csections are needed for healthy babies and healthy moms. They can be life saving... my son may not be here right now if it weren't for me having a csec.
I dont understand why a women would electively WANT a c-section. Plus I've never heard of a doctore ELECTIVELY doing a c-section anyway. as for vbacs I understand why most dr and hospitals will not allow them and to an extent I agree...there is risk of uterine tear.
It is highly unethical of doctors to allow women to elect a c-section for non-medical reasons. Every study has shown it to be riskier, and I think poorly of doctors who do, just as I think poorly of doctors who let women elect inductions without any medical indication. And of the women who choose them.
Many c-sections are unncessary- a proven fact, not opinion. Our constant and obsessive monitoring leads to a higher rate of unncessary sections, which leads to a higher rate of maternal/fetal morbidity and mortality.
That being said, there are plenty of unecessary procedures being done. Just look at the plastic surgery industry. I don't think we ought to ban elective c-sections, no, but I reserve the right to judge those who choose them.
Should women be able to choose an elective c-section?
YES
Should women be able to choose a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean)?
You should be able to make that choice on your own - personally it's not what I would choose as I believe you risk rupturing your uterus which can be dangerous, and from experience, I was fully recovered withink 3 days with no complications and no pain. If a woman want's to take a risk with VBAC that is her choice.
What do you think about the increasing rates of c-sections? Unnecessary, life-saving or somewhere in between?
I don't not find it alarming at all, many women prefer it, again her body, her choice. You can also plan for it, lol.
In my opinion this is a decision that lies between a woman and her doctor. I do believe there is a lot of indifference in labor and delivery both by uneducated women and doctors that are more interested in their own time and money. I shared my own experience in another thread and I wanted to add another. I had a girlfriend that was so afraid of labor and another round of four hours of painful pushing followed by another vaginal reconstruction that she had panic attacks when she had to talk about it. She choose, with her doctors input, an elective c-section. Much like the fact that she choose not to breastfeed. Those were her choices and I did not judge her for them even though I would have taken a different path. Should women choose to have a c-section is a decision they themselves have to make with their doctors help. My only concern is when the risks are not properly explained to them by an outside and unbiased source.
hould women be able to choose an elective c-section? yep
Should women be able to choose a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean)? yep
What do you think about the increasing rates of c-sections? Unnecessary, life-saving or somewhere in between? nothing really, I believe a women can have her baby anyway she wants
If there is no medical reason for a c-section, one should probably not have one. I know I wouldn't want one. Mother Nature has a perfectly good plan forgetting those little babies out when they are ready
I think VBAC is best when possible. It's always worrisome to me when we screw with the natural course of things
Should women be able to choose an elective c-section? For a first birth, no. I think labor should be attempted, and then if a C-section is needed, then by all means do an emergency C-section. C-sections are, indeed, major surgery and should be treated as such.
Should women be able to choose a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean)? If the doctor believes that VBAC shouldn't be attempted then yes.
What do you think about the increasing rates of c-sections? Unnecessary, life-saving or somewhere in between? Unnecessary in most cases. They should be saved for emergency situations.
No women shouldn't be bale to choose an elective c-section, especially for a first pregnancy.
Woman should be bale to VBAC at any hospital
The increasing rate of sections in this country is SCARY. We have one of the highest c-section rates in the develeoped world, and we also have the second HIGHEST infant and maternal mortality rate. Unneccessary interventions, and OB based helathcare, are jeopardizing our right to birth.
I think if they wish to have a c-section, go for it. However, it doesn't mean that it has to be paid for by the insurance co if it isn't medically necessary, nor should the MD or doc be required to perform it if they don't deem it necessary or aren't capable.
My second delivery was a c-section. Hands down, anyday that would be my choice. no complications, easier recovery, it was a breeze.
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on Feb. 3, 2010 at 1:45 AM