Babble

I opted for a nonmedicated birth not because I wanted to be a hero but based on what I've read, it was the choice I felt most comfortable with.

I don't think there's any right or wrong when it comes to very personal decisions like these. However, I think that each decision made should be an informed decision. I don't think you can go wrong there.

 

I also agree that everyone should make their own informed decision.  I just worry about the quality of the information people are getting.  The NIH meeting earlier this year concluded that there was a major lack of data on the safety of nonmedical use of cesareans. 

 I certainly think there is a place in the world for elective cesareans (and epidurals, and inductions, etc. etc.).  But it's probably best off being a very, very small place for very specific situations.  And doctors should really not be offering this option.  "First, do no harm...."

I think I may have a stance a bit less supportive than most responders..... If a c-section is medically necessary, then yeah, go for it - but purely elective? I'm not sure why this would be an option, and having had a c-section because my babe was over 10 lbs and too large to get out on her own, I do not for the life of me understand why anyone would ever truly choose to go down this route voluntarily without a medically necessary reason.

I'm biased, of course, 'cause we wanted a homebirth. Instead, I went two weeks over hoping that things would get going on their own, did the whole induction thing and ended up with a c-section 'cause nothing was working out. I feel like I missed out on the natural birth and am hoping for a VBAC with #2.

But I have to say I felt a lot of pressure to have a c-section from the moment we found out the baby was large. Not from my midwife, but all the other medical personnel we encountered on the way. Ususally, it was not a question as to whether or not I would have a c-section, but for what date it had been scheduled. Had it not been for my strong convictions otherwise, I'm fairly sure I'd have been convinced to have an elective c-section.

Now that I'm pregnant with #2, my midwife has already warned me that I will have to have an appointment with an OB at some point where they will try to convince me to forget about the VBAC and schedule a c-section. And this really bothers me. We've waited long enough for a VBAC to be safe - yet still I'm going to get the speech.

Anyway. I just really don't get why someone would voluntarily go through major surgery with all the risks that go with that and with all the pain that comes with it. And why it would ever be made optional.

I'd like to offer my delivery as an example of a traditional doctor who let us make the decision.  This was our first child, we worked very hard on hypnobirthing, I didn't want even one needle in me.  We considered a home birth, but opted to have the doc on hand in a hospital for an emergency. 

I do think the choice should be available, but like others, don't understand why anyone would choose to have an elective c-section with a first child if there is no medical reason (baby's breach, etc.) to do so. Also, what's with the multiple comments about how great a c-section is because the baby has a round head? Yes, with a vaginal birth, especially if you have to push for an extended period of time, the baby ends up with a bit of a conehead at first, but it goes away within a day or two. And if the baby comes fast and furious and is out on the second push (like my #2), there's no conehead at all. It's not like they are coneheads for life!

I have had a lot of surgery in my life, including the removal of my whole dysfunctional colon due to Crohn's disease in 1996 (I'm fine now, thanks).  

So when I was a pregnant granola-wannabe, my doc opined that a planned C-section was probably the way to go, because if I DID go commando and needed a cesarian anyway, it might be 3 a.m. with a doctor on hand who didn't know my history.

So on the appointed date, my OB, my surgeon (who had a blast), husband, and assorted grandparents assembled, everything went off without a hitch, and I ended up with a gorgeous little girl. As far as abdominal surgeries go, a C-section is a walk in the park!!! (I've now been vertically cut open 3 times in the same place, but the doc is always careful to bypass my belly button.)

It's weird. When you're pregnant, all the focus is on birthbirthbirth, and the inadequacy you're supposed to feel if you don't do it naturally.    How silly.    I'm all for eliminating unnecessary medical procedures, but don't waste time guilting new moms with train tracks on their bellies.  Instead, go over to her house and cook her some dinner.

Sheesh. 

bookworm:

Also, what's with the multiple comments about how great a c-section is because the baby has a round head? 

 I'm so glad someone said that.  WTF?  I'm all for cesareans when they are necessary or if someone really, truly makes that informed choice.  But there's something really anti-vagina going on when we start thinking coming out the abdomen makes you more beautiful.

After a week of cervical gels, 3 days on triple doses of Pitocin, I never went into labour and had a C-section.  My 9lb 2oz daughter was born perfect (and beautiful) at 1:30pm. I was up walking around and felt great by 6pm. I had zero complications, and my scar is so tiny I've actually had doctors refuse to believe I had a C-section.  I shared a room with a lady who had a "natural" birth, torn in three places and was in such extruciating pain she couldn't hold her baby the first day.  I definately think a C-section was hardly a bad experience!  I'm due with my second child (13 years after the first one, I might add) in 2 months and the C-section will be scheduled.

AmyinCT:

bookworm:

Also, what's with the multiple comments about how great a c-section is because the baby has a round head? 

 I'm so glad someone said that.  WTF?  I'm all for cesareans when they are necessary or if someone really, truly makes that informed choice.  But there's something really anti-vagina going on when we start thinking coming out the abdomen makes you more beautiful.

I wrote something to that effect in my post but 'twas in jest.  My own ears are crooked, to the tune of a half-inch or something, which makes haircuts and sunglasses sit weirdly on my face.  I always joke that I can't be a supermodel because of my having been squished in the birth canal.  My mom says that's my payment for having broken her tailbone on my way out.

First one was breech, had scheduled c-section w/smooth recovery. Talked about VBAC for 2nd baby for maybe 5 minutes and decided to go for another scheduled. The only thing that has bummed me out is the bad rap that c-sections have gotten in the past, its all those emergency c's, having 2 recoveries, no sleep, etc. Scheduled c-section for me was like checking into a hotel, so relaxed and calm. It so doesn't matter how the babies get here, it's all about having healthy safe deliveries!

I agree that this is a tough one.  On the one hand, I see it as a woman's issue and support a woman's right to choose her preferred birth experience, within reason.  On the other hand, I'm not sure we are making truly informed choices.  I've read in some places that vaginal delivery serves a purpose and is good for the baby and mother in several regards.  Other sources don't mention this at all, but focus solely on the relative safety of each type birth in terms of life and death and other problems that could arise from each type birth.  I noticed with both my pregnancies and the pregnancies of my friends that there is A LOT medical science (at least in the U.S.) does not really understand about fertility, pregancy and birth (e.g., what exactly triggers birth?  Man, I wished I knew that one when I was overdue with #1 and wanted to avoid pitocin!!)    For that reason, I feel like we should be reluctant to "tinker" with nature's plan, unless truly necessary.  

I am against moms and doctors electing for c-section for reasons other than medical necessity. I will be having my 3rd c-section in April and though I'd rather have had natural deliveries, I am thankful I live in a time where this vital procedure is available. I lost my first baby due to complications during her delivery and if c-section were not available to me, I would not have been able to have more children for fear of the same thing happening (I have a blood clotting disorder that caused major problems during my labor).

 My moto: It's not about the mothers birthing experience... it's about bringing home a healthy baby.

ladybug:

 My moto: It's not about the mothers birthing experience... it's about bringing home a healthy baby.

I hear ya. And I'm terribly sorry for your loss. However, I don't think the two things are mutually exclusive. I had a birthing experience close to what I wanted and I brought home a healthy baby. Even so, mine and everyone's experiences are anecdotal so the only thing they prove is that birth happens.

If you'd said, "the health of the baby and the mother should be the first priority" I'd agree 100%. But you usually don't know ahead of time what your birth is going to be like. So my motto is to plan for the birth you want but be open to your birth going differently than you'd hoped.

I haven't come across an unbiased resource for determining relative outcomes of the various childbirthing methods. Everyone has an agenda it seems. Everyone tells us to be informed, but when I read homebirthing/med-free resources, I get one set of statistics and when I go to the doctor, I get another. How does a person get informed about her options when everyone has something invested in a particular birth option?
 

hyperjo:

I haven't come across an unbiased resource for determining relative outcomes of the various childbirthing methods. Everyone has an agenda it seems. Everyone tells us to be informed, but when I read homebirthing/med-free resources, I get one set of statistics and when I go to the doctor, I get another. How does a person get informed about her options when everyone has something invested in a particular birth option?

This is a significant problem for me, too. 

I wanted a med-free birth, but had a scheduled c-section because my baby was breech -- and since I also had gestational diabetes and rapidly dropping fluid levels, the doctors didn't feel that I was a good candidate for breech delivery. 

I really, really wanted to believe that if I held out my daughter would turn and I could do it without surgery. I know that the US has an absurdly high c-section rate and I can see why we shouldn't, but when pressed I felt more confident about my doctors than I did about resources on the less interventionist side.  So in the end I can't argue with other women who also felt that nature wasn't the best option.

Still, those who choose a c-section without their doctors suggesting it for medical reasons baffle me. I was horrified about letting someone cut my body open, and from my perspective 4 weeks of abdominal pain while trying to learn to take care of a newborn doesn't seem easier than even 3 days of labor.

-- Eva 

ladybug:

I haven't come across an unbiased resource for determining relative outcomes of the various childbirthing methods. Everyone has an agenda it seems.

 I've done a lot of work in this area and can confidently say that the Childbirth Connection (formerly Maternity Center Association) resources on cesarean are the most comprehensive and unbiased out there.  See http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ClickedLink=274&ck=10168&area=27.  They might appear biased because they are clearly concluding that the cesarean rate is too high and that many cesareans are preventable.  But there is very rigorous scientific study behind their materials.  Their only agenda is to provide evidence-based info so people can make their own decisions, and to avoid unnecessary mortality and morbidity for women and babies.  There's unfortunately very little money to be made doing this work.  On the other hand, there are powerful financial incentives built in to the U.S. health care system to schedule births and to do cesarean surgeries liberally.   It is hard to parse out different people's agendas and even as a home birther and a midwife I acknowledge that some of the stuff that comes from that "lobby" is inaccurate and/or biased.  But fortunately there are some good resources from organizations like childbirth connection that are level headed and very much supported by good quality research.