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BeeBear (7/3/2008)
I actually started a post last week about c-sections and the rise in births via. I spent about a half hour writing my thread and providing links and quotes only to hit "post" and have the entire thing disappear. I vented on the FB CB group, man I was furious. So, this may be more vague than I initially planned. The reason I started to write that thread is because for three consecutive days, Google ran articles about the increase in c-sections being performed. 1 in 4 Canadian births!! Pretty high statistics for something that's only done when "required" if oyu ask me. The articles I read also reminded me very much of the documentary that Fasha posted about, Ricki Lake's "The Business of Being Born". I know, some of you argue that it was an American documentary and therefore doesn't apply in the least to us Canadians. I disagree, we're not all that different than our neighbours to the South (okay, we're nicer  ). Below are some of the articles I encountered. Some saying that the rise is due to women waiting later in life to have children, the rise rise in obesity/overweight women, and some ARE elective, there are indeed women out there "too posh to push". Also, alot of Dr's are terrified of being sued should complications arrive from having a vaginal birth. Alot of people cannot grasp that birth is a natural process and there are risks involved beyond a medical practitioner's control. On top of that, Dr's have families that they wish to get home to, and what a great way to speed up the process vs. waiting for nature to take it's course. I also read an article where a Canadian woman was forced against her will into a c-section because the Dr had had enough, he wanted it over. Even agianst her objections, it was done. I had included the link to that article in my initial post that was lost and now of course I can't locate it to include in this one. http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=616113http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=614347http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2008/06/25/csection-report.htmlhttp://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/story.html?id=ca55f69e-ab04-4da2-bd0d-bd6a8190f2b1http://www.canada.com/topics/news/story.html?id=a3ca0ea3-9e3a-43e9-af3a-0cd3d79d1e31The reason I immediately thought of the documentary , The Business of Being Born, is because I watched it and agreed with most of the content. Yes, it's one sided, but, show me a documentary that doesn't have an angle. That being said, even before I watched the documentary, I already shared alot of the views/opinions expressed. It was nice to see that I wasn't the only one who thought that way. I can completely see the domino effect that is caused by the initial intervention in a natural process, many of which lead up to the baby being in distress and the c-section being done. Ie: pitocin. My DH asked me if I'm scared to give birth to our baby. Honestly, no I'm not. I am however absolutely terrified about all the interventions the Dr's initiate the moment you are admitted to the hospital. I truly feel that years have been spent making women believe that we just don't know how to give birth. We do, it's a natural process. Our bodies form a life, yet, we can't birth?! I truly believe that if women had more faith in thier bodies ability to give birth, then women and Dr's wouldn't be resorting to a 1 in 4 c-section rate. Induction, etc, etc, etc. Unfortunately for me, because I live in a remote area, a midwife is not an option for me. This was my #1 choice to give birth for as long as I can remember. If I did have access to one then I would currently be planning a home birth. I am a believer that hospitals are for sick people and I'm not sick, I'm pregnant. The only reason I could see why I MUST use a hospital is if I were a high risk pregnancy. Anyway, I feel very strongly about this topic. I am very much terrified that I wil be thrown into a system where I'm being told I have a choice, but, upon arrival, being forced into a situation that I don't feel comfortable with. This includes being immediately set up with an IV that isn't medically necessary. Okay, flame away........ Conclusion after my big rant - I think C-Sections are used far too often when not required. This is a major operation in which I think the surgeons should be utilized for required, life saving surgeries only.
Inductions are sometimes medically needed. My SIL had cholestasis which could have potentially have been harmful or even fatal to her baby and her. He was also extremely large and if he'd gone to term, she would have needed a C-section because her body wouldn't have been able to accomodate pushing him out.
As far as I know, at our hospital anyway, you can opt out of having an IV. You'll be given one if you are positive for strep B, have an epidural, pitocin or if you are in need of a c-section.
I agree that C-sections are used far to often, and some doctors tend to push for one. However, I believe that we have a choice on who we pick to be our doctor. I've discussed this matter a lot with my OB and he isn't a fan of C-sections therefore wouldn't force me into one, UNLESS it was a life or death kind of situation. But then again, there are other situations where a C-section needs to be done, ie: breech baby. At our hospital, you are not allowed to have a breech baby vaginally, the risks are too high. I think that is fair. You could potentially be risking the lift of your unborn child if you tried to have ti vaginally...that is an unnecessary risk in my opinion.
I want to let my body do what it knows how to do- it grew this baby, it should be able to get her out. IF it can't...then I'm not aganist medical intervention if it means that it would keep me and my baby out of harms way. I'm planning a natural vaginal birth in a hospital (mw's aren't covered by insurance here) and I am positive that I will be able to succeed.
...Proud Momma of Charlotte...
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Last Login: 11/27/2008 6:53:34 AM
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| My daughter was only 8 pounds 1 ounce.. but my hips just didnt want to puch her out.. I was induced because I was over due.. and was in labour for 15 hours unmedicated and it just sucked the contractions were on top of each other and I was just not going anywhere.. I was more then happy to have my section when the dr said that was going to happen... with my second I am going to have a planned section... my dr now realized that no matter how tiny the baby its just not going to come out of me in a natural way... I also healed very well.. but I had the mind set that this wasnt going to hold me down... I was out with in 3 days and was walking with in the first 12 hours after my section..
Wedding Sept 15th 07, Lily born Nov 27th 07, planned section for Riley on Nov 7th ya we work quickly hahaha
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| so, i would be happy with either, but I have to say as a nurse... i would perfer a c section. I have seen a ton of babies being born and all are amazing. I totally admire the women who do it vaginally... however, i am 5'3" and 106 lbs. Pushing a baby out of there... scares me to death!! I have a low pain tolerance... i stub my toe and fall to the floor in pain!! ll i have seen people do it... i know it is possible.... but i am still scared. so, if given the choice i would go section... if not then i am having an epidural as soon as i hit 3cm (thats the standard here). Also, bring on the IV ASAP... here once we start labour only ice chips... YUCK! and as for the increase in use of it... i think for celebs it all comes down to the "Mummy Tuck" (a tummy tuck done at the same times a the section.. must be nice eh??). They loose the weight and look great almost right off the start... and again set a expectation that most women cannot meet. Sad, really... i am more proud of the celebs that took a long time to lose the baby weight... they are more the people that i can respect and relate to.
Amanda and Brent... The Kelly's!! Riu Ocho Rios April 17th, 2008 at 3pm!!
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Last Login: 11/19/2008 5:37:23 PM
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| I know allot of peole who requested a c-section. Some because they already had one and knew what was to come and others just because they were to scared of labour and delivery, just wanted to get it over with quick. Some Dr.s will not do them unless absolutly nessarry but others you just have to ask. I am the opposite, I was terrified of the C and almost had to have one, thank God he came without any problems and I didnt have to go through it!... Not that its bad, Ive just never had a stitch never mind surgery!! lol I soooo didnt want one!
♥♥♥Married August 26, 2006♥♥♥
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although i do agree our bodies are naturally made to give birth....maybe things are changing i dont know...i know my sister had no choice...she had to have a c section because the baby was upside down..completely....i dont know much about medicine and i dont have any fancy articles to attach but..im gonna think there is no physical way possible to deliver a baby whose head is where its feet should be. Also, I know a girl whose wanted to have a natural birth, she had a mid wife come to her house and everything..so she must have strongly wanted to naturally give birth and believed her body to could do it, however, she ended up being rushed to the hospital to have an emergency c-section......so..maybe it has to do with the increase in number of people having children that has increased statistics, or maybe its better ability to record these things too..i dont know..there are so many reasons statistics are what they are but...to say its us not knowing our bodies...well...i am going to disagree with that...just my oppinion
Chulie~Countdown to November 1,st 2008~
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Last Login: 8/7/2008 9:55:42 PM
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| I have one friend who had a very difficult vaginal delivery (after being induced)but went on to have another child (and another vag delivery). I have another friend who had an emergency c-section with her first because she had placenta abruptia...her other 2 children were planned c-sections because of the risk of her bleeding again. Yet another friend had a c-section with her first because the baby was breech but she went on to have a vag delivery with her second, in the hospital but with a midwife. So, all sorts of options are there. C-sections do save the lives of babies and mothers in some circumstances, however, there is a risk to having one as well. FYI: you will likely have a urine catheter when you have a c-section. To BeeBear: I agree with your thoughts for the most part, just wanted to point out that the OB/GYN is the one doing the c-section, not a general surgeon.
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