The rise of C-Sections and its risks. (Information on C-Sections)

[Birdie07]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NHPT this is a really touchy subject but i thought i would throw in my two cents for what its worth....... i had a c-section and loved it. my daughter was breech and because of numerous reasons they were not able to try and turn while in utero so i was left with no other alternative. but i couldnt be happier. i loved the entire process and the recovery was not bad at all. and i DO NOT feel like less of a woman or mother because i didnt go through the pains of birth which is sort of what i feel like you are trying to say here- like those who elect for a csx are less of a woman because they arent doing what is the "more natural" route. it is the womans right to choose and if they choose elective c-sx then i think that is fine- it is your labor experience and you should be able to make it however you want it- but i think we are forgetting the big picture here and that is that is shouldnt matter how you choose to have your child- what is important is the parent that you are. and i could probably post all sorts of statistics that support the effectiveness for c-sx because there is SO much information out there and people and websites can manipulate info so it suits them....... just my side of the story- although i respect the alternative and as it has been said- we will just agree to to disagree on this one!

No that's not what I was trying to say at all. I'm trying to say that everyone should have the information before going in. And quoting me from my first post I said "All that matters is at the end you have a healthy beautiful baby! If you go vaginally or a needed c-section."

For those of you who wanted more information on midwives, hypnobirthing, homebirthing, waterbirthing, or birth centers. My other favorite forum. This forum has shown me so so so so much support. They are so helpful. They have moms who birth at home, birth centers and moms who do c/s. You can find anything there.
Heres the link. The rules are a little different in that forum. No pictures posted in a post unless it's a link. You can't change your name. Stuff like that. It's a very very NFL board. (Natural family living). But I don't know some of you guys might like it.
Heres the link:
MotheringDotCommune Forums - Powered by vBulletin

[Nrvsbride]

Thanks for sharing the link Calia!

[Alyssa]

thanks for the link - i am going to check it out

[Birdie07]

I would just go to the birth section ....they share the birth stories. They are amazing to read sometimes. But have tissues handy b/c some make me bawl my eyes out!

[anaderoux]

I had an elective c-section. Yeah just because I didn't want to deliver vaginally, have the risk of ripping my vagina and waiting till it was my time..

 

maybe some of you think that shouldn't be done, but it was my choice (and my dr.'s choice to agree) and that doesn't make me a bad mom. it's just a personal choice, I know things could have gone wrong, as they could've been in a vaginal delivery.. so it's just a matter of luck and a matter of being in good hands (choosing a great dr, good hospital, etc.. )

[Rachelle E.]

Quote:

If you are interested I would go for a tour, also make sure your insurance would cover it, I bet not many do and its probably expensive.

I would say to definitely explore all your options. Personally, I'm a big fan of midwives. I also happen to know many people who have delivered with a midwife (and I know a couple people who are midwives) at home, birthing centers and in the hospital. In all those instances the babies and mom's were healthy and happy with what they did. Personally, I'm a "best of both world's" kind of gal along the lines Alyssa...I'm hoping to find an OB practice that also includes midwives and delivers in a hospital...'cause it's true you just never know what's going to happen in a labor/delivery.

Also, a lot of insurance companies DO cover midwife services. Even if the midwife isn't on a list of "preferred providers" you can typically ask them to cover it and most times they will because it is actually FAR less expensive than what an OB charges. I know a couple people who have gone that route, including my sister. (she had a hosptial birth w/ a midwife...a VABC incidentally.)

To me the most important thing is to know that you've done your homework and made the decision that is best for you and your baby. I think where the issues of regret, doubt and/or guilt creep in is when you aren't 100% sure of your decision. But I think that's normal in any situation where you're unsure. Doubt and questions will creep into your mind and you'll start to second guess yourself.

It really is interesting what a heated topic this can be. I think everyone just has such strong feelings about it, it's hard not to be pretty opinionated. I do want to get something off my chest here...I've often felt in the minority (here and other places) as someone who does want/hope to do things more "naturally". I realize I haven't been in labor before so I obviously don't know exactly what to expect. But it can be extremely frustrating to have people pretty much tell you that you cannot do it without meds, various interventions etc. And honestly, I get that a lot. (not just here) The second you tell someone that you hope to have a drug-free birth you are immediately told every horror story they've ever heard about people being in labor for hours and hours, the unbelievable pain etc. It's like, UMmmmm I KNOW labor is painful. You're not the first person to ever tell me this. But please don't try to tell me what I am, or am not capable of. That is just insulting quite frankly. And I know things are very different now, but obviously it IS possible to have a baby without meds and a zillion different interventions 'cause if it wasn't, it's a pretty safe bet that the human race would not have made it this far. That's not to say that I'm not going to listen to what my Dr has to say, or that I'm going to refuse every modern medical advancment because that simply is not the case. But I do think it's crappy that the overall message about modern childbirth is that it's impossible without an epidural (or whatever else)....that women cannot do it, they simply aren't strong enough. I think that's insulting to women and to me personally as well.

The bottom line of what I'm saying is that I think anyone who has a child should take the time to explore all their options and edcuate themselves as best as possible...that way no matter what their decision, they are certain it was the best one for them. Also, I think it would be nice if people had a little faith in a woman's ability to birth a child. Instead of telling women every terrible story you've ever heard, can't you just encourage them? Tell them that you're excited for them, sure they will have a great birth and a healthy baby. .. That yeah, it's going to be really hard, but you're sure they'll do just fine... We're always so positive when it comes to pregnancy - "you're doing great! You look wonderful! Your baby is going to be gorgeous and healthy!" etc. And when it comes to the actual birth experience this unbelievable negativity just comes rushing in and suddenly this woman who was "doing great!" and "having a beautiful baby!" is suddenly considered incapable of the next step and is told things like, "omg, it's going to be horrible!" "you're getting an epidural, right?!" "will your Dr just let you schedule a c-section?" blah blah blah...

Sorry for going on and on about all that. It's just really a pet peeve of mine. I feel like we (women in general) should be a lot more supportive about this stuff and do more to boost each other's confidence in our ability to become a mom and have a healthy delivery...and baby!

[Dbld78]

WOW!!!! So I just read through this thread and I can't speak from experience because I have not had any children of my own but I do have friends and family member's experience that I can take into account.

 

I am a C-Section baby.....from 1978! I turned out JUST FINE!!! And so did my sister and brother. I would venture to say that the medical field has made leaps and bounds in the 29 almost 30 years since I was born. I have numerous friends who have had multiple C-Sections and both they and they're children are healthy and happy.

 

I can't help but read the articles and wonder "Is this based on fact or is this Propaganda....against the Medical Industry?" And I think it might be a little of both...

 

I want to see the statistics that go along with the rise in C-Sections that shows how babies are bigger than they've ever been.... Also remember the rate of labor deaths.... Yes women have been giving birth naturally for years and years and years, but let's also remember giving birth killed many women that would have been saved today with the advances in medicine. I personally don't know anyone who has had an unpleasant birth experience and I know a lot of ladies...

 

Really it comes down to what is best for you and your baby... If you don't trust your doc get a new one, there are plenty of them out there... We live in a day where people are sue happy and can you really blame a doctor for wanting to make sure things work out best for you and your baby, sure maybe he's also looking out for his practice too but that's what he does delivers babies and I'm sure they'd like to keep doing it too!

 

I'm not against having babies naturally.... it's your body and your baby more power to ya! But I think people should be more open to the idea of a C-Section because it is a possibility with any birth.

 

Look no surgery is natural, but when there is something in your body that needs to come out you do what needs to be done to make it so. It's funny how we are having this debate about child birth but most woman have no issue with going into surgery for a boob job or some other kind of plastic surgery... Personally I would think that a C-Section would be a surgery I would opt for if necessary before enhancing my vanity. But that's just me...

 

To those of you who've gone through each.... You're a better woman than me and you wear that badge of honor, I hope to join your club real soon!

[SASSYGIRL]

Interesting debate ladies! I personally am planning to have a c-section and I guess some would say it is my choice. I don't know that I agree with that 100%. I feel it is so amazing what the medical field can tell us about our bodies and our future health.

 

My mother had a c-section with me and then was diagnosed with Ovarian cancer when she was 35. Her side of the family had a stong history or ovarian and colon cancer and it was discovered last year that there is a specific family gene that everyone could be tested for. I was tested and it came up positive that I have the gene. So lucky me at the age of 29 I went and had my first colonoscapy (not so bad really) and will need to have them done every year! I also need to have a complete hystorectomy so that the extreemly high risk of ovarian cancer is eleminated.

 

I know that I will only have one child (DH has 2 from a previous marriage and we have a full house) and then everything is coming out. Since my Mom's cancer was at 35 and I will be 31 when I give birth I figure now is as good of time as any. So yes I could choose to deliver vaginally and then go back to the hospitial to be cut open and have my girl parts removed - I just don't think that makes a lot of sence! I want to be here for my child and not sick with cancer. But you should hear all the opinions I get from people who don't really understand the situation. If I had a nickel for everyone who has told me "Oh just becuase your Mom had cancer doesn't mean you will." Really?! Thanks! I am actually a very optimist person and don't go around thinking bad things are going to happen to me but if you knew that a certain bridge had a 90% chance of breaking into a million peices I bet you would find a different route to drive rather than going that dirrection!

 

I guess my point is that everyone is different. There are no two the same and each person needs to make the choice that is best for them at the time.

[EricaG]

I have just finished reading through this thread and I can see all points, but I have a few things to add. I am an rural nurse, so I do everything from geriatrics, cardiac, emergency, med/surg, labour & delivery and whatever else needs to be done. In our town, c-sections are not done unless absolutely necessary, but we only have a handful of drs that do deliveries (we only have 10 drs most often), one dr that does c-sections and 2 drs that do anestetics, but only one of them does epidurals. If there is a failure to progress, fetal distress or any of the other several medical reasons for a section, the dr that does the c-section is called in to do a consultation. From there the dr makes a decision whether to section or not, and discusses it with the pt. We do have some scheduled c-sections, but they are usually repeat sections or breech presentation. Then there are the emergency sections were the OR staff are called in. Around here we are not given the choice of having an elective c-section without a medical reason. As I say this, I know that this will not be the same in every hospital, town or city.

 

As for pt's having a natural birth, I have seen many that have planned for that, and even in early stages of labour still plan to do so (although they are usually still smiling too) Like we say, if you are still smiling, you have a ways to go! Not all pt's decide against the natural birth in the end, but many, if not most do. They are asking for something for pain and usually an epidural. Of course in our hospital, only one dr that does them and usually being short staffed with no nurse to special an epidural pt, they often don't get the option of an epidural. There are many other ways of non-medicinal pain control, but you have to find what works for you. As for epidurals slowing down labour, I have seen where it has done so, where it didn't seem to make any difference other than pain relief, and I have seen where it has sped up the delivery because the pt was so tense from the pain.

 

As for personal experience as a mother, I have had 2 c-sections and the second one was elective, but here is my situation. I had been contracting for a week and a half with leaking membranes. Finally I went into the hospital at 1am with strong contractions every 3 minutes. I was still only 1 cm dialted. At 8 am the dr ruptured my membranes completely, then at 1 pm I was put on the drip. By 5 pm I was still only 5 cm so an epidural was arranged for me. (I did not want an epidural at all, but by this time I was tired and I knew it was going to be a section, so I got it)By 6pm I had the epidural and was out like a light. At 8pm I still hadn't progressed, so I was given the option of waiting for another hour or to go ahead with the section. I choose the section. I had my daughter by section at 9:19pm, 20 hours after getting to the hospital, but a week and a half after starting to contract and living in the bath tub. In the end, my daughters head was engagedin my pelvis wrong and would not have been able to make it out. She was only 6 lbs 8 oz.

Then with my son, I wanted to have a VBAC. I did not want to have another c-section if I didn't have to. I finally gave in and had an elective section which everyone I knew was trying to encourage me to do. The reason everyone wanted me to have section and the reason I gave in was because my pelvis was separated. OUCH!!!! My pelvis was so bad that I had a 4-wheeled walker for the last 2 1/2 months of my pregnancy. I had 2 ambulance trips to the city, just to be sent home the next day, and there was almost a 3rd trip. When they had to rearrange the OR schedule, they left a spot open for me in case I decided to have a c-section. So finally I decided it was time rather than being sent to the city however many more times before having the baby and ending up with a section there. (My dr who can do VBACs was out of town and the OBGYN that comes out here as a specialist said he would deliver my baby, and he was in town for my section) Since I didn't go through the labouring process, my recovery was a lot better the second time around. BUT, I cried for the 4 days between deciding on a section and actually having it. I cried as they preped me before the OR, in the anti-room and even on the OR table, why? because I didn't want a section, but I knew that it was the best choice. With my pelvis in the condition it was, having a VBAC could have caused permanent damage. My son was healthy at 3 weeks early, 7 lbs 6 oz and a head size 4 weeks ahead of his age. I have come to accept that my pelvis is not adaquate for having babies, and when it is time for baby #3, I will probably just have an elective section, although I may still enquire about a VBAC if my pelvis isn't separated again.

 

In the end, each person, each baby and each delivery is different. As long as the baby is healthy and mom is healthy, that is what is important. To have a c-section or not too......you need to read the FACTS on both. During your pregancy you should be researching them anyways and asking your dr questions. Taking prenatal classes also inform you on these issues. Make sure you go into it with an open mind or you could be very dissapointed in the end. Also, keep in mind that failure to progress is if there is less than 1 cm dilation in a 2 hour period, this is called dystosia.

 

Is it possible to have a natural birth? YES! It happens a lot, sometimes because that is what the Mom wants, and sometimes because things go too quickly for them to have anything. People should be encouraging, not all birthing stories are aweful experiences.

 

Dbld78 - I like how you pointed out how so many people are willing to get other surgeries like boob jobs, nose jobs and the like without thinking about the real complications that can result.

 

C-sections are major ABD surgery, so they shouldn't be taken lightly, and yes I think there is room for a decrease in the c-section rates, but when it comes down to it, it is up to both the pt and the medical experts. After all, both are the cause of the high non-medical section rates.

[Martha]

Calia...My FI tried to conceieve for a few years, and it finally happened for us....I hope it does for you too!

 

RE: this topic....

 

Yesterday I hosted a Bridal Shower for a good friend of mine. All 3 of her bridesmaids are pregnant...One is 24 weeks, me and one that is about 6 weeks (she just found on on Friday and trying to concieve for over a year!)

 

Anyhow....we were talking about breastfeeding and labor and stuff. The girl who is 24 weeks told us that she talked to her doctor and they decided that she will have a scheduled c-section 2 weeks before she is due because she is a "planner!" Yes, she has to be prepared for when her baby comes and doesn't want any surprised. I asked her if her doctor was fine with this and she said "yeah!" Then my best friend asked who her doctor was and she told us...we will DEFINTIELY be staying away from that doctor!

 

You are having a baby! You say you are a planner...do you think you are going to get your baby to follow your "schedule?" Good luck with that!!!

 

If anyone here has done that, I am sorry if I am offending you, but I will stick to my ground.

 

I plan to deliver vaginally...WITH epidural. I cannot tolerate pain and I can admit that...I want to be as comfortable as possible....maybe that makes ME selfish? Some may think so.....

 

However, if I have to have a c-section because of my health or my babies health, then so be it. I will do whatever it takes!

 

eta: I just read Anny's post and I think that her elective C-section is different than this girl I am talking about. I hope I don't offend you Anny!