Choose Your Own Birth Experience

   By drodriguez  Sep 14, 2008
32

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?

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boopy63fl by boopy63fl | Melbourne, FL
Apr 29, 2007

When I had my daughter 20 years ago, I never even thought about a c section. However, with many medical complications I ended up having one. I had never had major surgery before and was scared to death. The complications after a c section are many and dangerous. I ended up with a blood clot in my groin area, and a infection in my incision. It what not fun, and very painful. I would never choose to do that again.

christyj by christyj | Denham Springs, LA
Apr 27, 2007

I had both of my babies all natural, no drugs. I am glad that I had both of them natural. I too freaked out by having my stomach sliced open to take out a baby that my body can push out natural.

txangel86 by txangel86 | Houston, TX
Apr 26, 2007

Yes i think it should be up to the mother, but i also think that the mothers aren't being well informed about c-sections either. I don't understand where they are getting that it is painless and for cosmetic reason. Hello you are getting your stomach cut into, so you will have that scar there for the rest of your life. with a vaginal bith you can be up and walking around back the same day or the next. all 3 of my kids were vaginal and i am glad they where. there is nothing more better the to experience the birth of your child (pushing them out) then having them placed right on you afterward.

cyndib by cyndib | HERNANDO, FL
Apr 26, 2007

I think that elective c-sections is a disturbing trend. I had my son without a drop of pain killers and I had a vaginal delivery. I used natural methods of pain relief (birthing ball and massage) and that is how I intend to have my next child. It was a wonderful experience and I was able to breastfeed my baby right after birth because he wasn't doped up on medications.

jet696 by jet696 | Westerville, OH
Apr 26, 2007

I had 3 c-sections - the first not being by choice and I chose the last 2 times. I had no complications - bonded perfectly well with my children -was home in 2 days. I personally think its a matter of choice- a matter between mom and dr.

jemappel by jemappel | Rye Brook, NY
Apr 25, 2007

I had a baby 6 months ago (it ended up being an induced, vaginal delivery) but I was concerned that I would have to make a decision about having a c-section during delivery. It's such a hard choice - because you know there are so many unnecessary c-sections but God forbid you choose not to have a c-section and something happens to the baby! And, I couldn't really find a doctor who I trusted enough - I felt like they were all more pro-c-section than I was comfortable with. I did a ton of research...all I found was a factoid about vaginal birth helping the baby breathe better after emerging b/c the pressure of the birth canal helps push the amniotic fluid out of their lungs. I wasn't thrilled with being induced either - and that is another issue up for debate - how far after the due date is appropriate to be induced? I definitely feel that there is not enough info out there on the costs/benefits of c-sections or inductions, and it makes it very stressful for a woman to figure out what is right for her. I also feel that doctors are so scared of lawsuits that they will err on the side of doing surgery so I don't really trust them.

sharman421 by sharman421 | TALLAHASSEE, FL
Apr 24, 2007

It is so ridiculous to allow a c-section unless it is purely for medical reasons! Any physician who performs one for any other reason other than the health of mother or baby is a quack! It is surgery! If you want an elective surgery , have your face lifted or your tummy tucked, but don't mess around with child birth! Why would doctors provide a choice? Easier to schedule around their time off? Keeps them from getting up in the middle of the night? They can charge more?

jlbellamy by jlbellamy | Fresno, TX
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.

mrs_hambone by mrs_hambone | Bryan, TX
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?!

Shelle02 by Shelle02 | Wahiawa, HI
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.

lindypup by lindypup | Delphos, OH
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.

smiddlemore by smiddlemore | POST FALLS, ID
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.

cvarano by cvarano | BROOKLYN, NY
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.

carlenlea by carlenlea | Washington, DC
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.

shelxland by shelxland | Molalla, OR
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.