It has become increasingly common to hear of moms-to-be choosing to have elective cesareans without a medical need. This has spurred much debate regarding the safety of mother and baby (after all, it is a major surgery that can take months to recover from), as well as the unnecessary cost to hospitals, insurance companies, and ultimately the taxpayers.
One BBC article reports that the UK’s National Health Service Trust has set up guidelines trying to cut down on the number of cesareans performed in hospitals. The article goes on to report about one hospital in particular (Leicester General Hospital) that has reduced the cesarean rate from the nation’s average 23% (about 1 in 4) to 19% (1 in 5) simply by encouraging women to have vaginal births.
According to the Center for Disease Control’s most recent report, cesarean delivery has risen to over 30% (more that 3 in 10) of all births in the United States. Proponents of cesarean delivery on a mother’s request argue that it is a woman’s right to make her own medical decisions when it comes to the birth of her child. It is also a common perception among those choosing a c-section that opting out of vaginal birth reduces the risk of incontinence later in life.
What do you think? Should there be more clear-cut guidelines implemented into US health policy dealing with cesarean deliveries? Or should the birth decision be left solely to the mother’s discretion?
I remember speaking with some mothers, and they told me that their vaginal birth are definately painful and it changes the vaginal. For people who are also really more concern about looks, they tend to choose C-section over natural birth.~
traceface::
on Apr 19, 2007
I feel that there should be more clear-cut guidelines. Having 5 children I can say that the pain is something you will forget. If you need to schedule the birth of your child for what works best for you, then maybe its not the time to be having children. As for the pain again, they make wonderful drugs that will help with that and I've never seen it have any ill effects on the baby. JMHO.
shelxland::
on Apr 19, 2007
Having had 2 natural births and 1 emergency C-section, I would elect to have a C-section if I were to have another baby, simply because the last birth was very scary.
carlenlea::
on Apr 19, 2007
I think we need more information the medical risks of both. If there is not specific risks or benefits from either -- then why not let it be up to the mother. But -- we really don't have a clear understanding of the effects of elective c-sections because it's such a new phenomena.
cvarano::
on Apr 19, 2007
I do think women should be able to choose if they want a c-section. They should still be encouraged by doctors, midwives and lamaze teachers to give birth vaginally, though. I personally think it is ridiculous to choose a c-section for cosmetic purposes but it's still their body and their baby. Perhaps if there is no reason other than a cosmetic one, insurance companies should not have to cover the bill? I don't know. This is a tough one.
smiddlemore::
on Apr 19, 2007
A friend of mine recently under went a scheduled c-section and was so groggy from the anesthesia that she was not clear headed enough to enjoy the birth of her daughter. Plus she was unable to breastfeed for quite sometime after her daughter was born she believes it has affected her bonding appropriately with her daughter. She has stated that she will never undergo another c-section and does not recommend it to others.
lindypup::
on Apr 20, 2007
C-sections are not something to play around with, we are talking major surgery here which can introduce complication and harm to mother and baby if performed unnecessarily. I think the policies should be more strict regarding the elective kind.
Shelle02::
on Apr 21, 2007
I believe it should be up to the mother to have the baby the way she wants to. For my first child I was so excited to have him natural. But I ended up having to have a C-section because I wouldn't go past 7cm. When I got pregnant with my 2nd child the Dr sat us down and talked to us about the complications that I can have either way I go. If I went natural I could bust the old scar open and other things. Having another C-section can cause cut nerves and lose of felling in certain areas and some other things. I chose to do the c-section. It was sceduled for right around her due date...but she wanted out 4 weeks early and not dialating--so emergency c-section. If I had to do it again...yes I would do a C-section. There are somethings that can't be forseen. I think yes they should encourage natural. If a women can do it natural then that is great. This is just a really tough subject to be debating on...every woman is different.
mrs_hambone::
on Apr 22, 2007
Wow, I always assumed that women went natural if they could. How can having a scar across your abdomen be considered the cosmetic choice? I think that women should be encouraged to go natural, if a C-Section is needed than fine. I think a lot of doctors are leaning towards c-sections lately, most of my friends that have had babies have had them through c-section. Seems crazy that doctors would rather schedual a birth and than wait on timing... women have been having babies naturaly since the begining of time... why should now be any different? Why should giving birth, such an amazing thing, have to be schedualed. Are people really THAT busy now a days?!
jlbellamy::
on Apr 24, 2007
I had to have a c-section because she was turned the wrong way and had the cord around her neck, but thats not to say i didn't have to push for 2 hours before. I would have scheduled the the c-section had my doc asked me if I wanted one, we could tell i was going to have a large baby that I may not have been about to have naturally, but he wanted me to try anyways. I would have another c-section.
