Article: Risks Fail to Deter Caesarean Births

[Rainbows_]

Yes, i feel so upset i cant believe i let those people just treat me like a piece of meat!! i honestly thought that i could not refuse and internal or refuse to have my waters broken. If i had of known this i would never let them near me as some of them were so rough and nasty with me i literally had to take gas and air because i got so hurt with these horrid internals!!

I really want to be able to go through birth without anything!! No internals forced on me, no epidural, no being tied to a bed!!

Gosh i was so silly if only i had known i could of had a peacful home brth and let my body do its thing rather than have all that forced upon me for 20hrs!!

Women need to be informed about these things, i though i had no legal right when my baby was coming out!! Now i know and wont be so stupid next time

[Trish]

Oh hun, it's your body and your baby. You have every right to refuse anything that you do not want done. To do anything against your will is grounds for legal action.

It's great to have answers to give back to Dr's when they try to throw scare tactics at you. I love to see the look on their face's when they realise that I am not a mother who is going to sit there and shut up. I am informed and I will yell from the roof tops if I need to

[pholmes]

Hi Rainbows,

I am really sorry you had such a bad experience. All labours are different, some easier than others. I think a lot depends on your midwife, if you have a good midwife everything seems to be a lot calmer and easier. Labour can be traumatic and it sounds like this is what happened to you. I would recommend finding a good midwife or ob you trust and explaining exactly how you feel to them and taking it from there next time.

[BellyBelly]

Just adding a new article to this thread as its in our FAQ stickies about caesarean risks.

Planned caesareans increase health risks
Clara Pirani, Medical reporter
February 15, 2007

WOMEN who undergo a planned caesarean section suffer more than three times the number of cardiac arrests, blood clots and infections than those who give birth vaginally.
The study, based on almost 2.4million deliveries, comes as more women are having a caesarean without a medical reason. More than 30 per cent of babies in Australia are born by caesarean, up from 20per cent in 1995.

The study, in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, found women who had a caesarean were five times more likely to have a post-partum cardiac arrest or a wound infection, and twice as likely to have anesthetic complications, blood clots or haemorrhage requiring hysterectomy.

Christine Tippett, president of the Royal Australian College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said: "It's important that the message gets out to women that they will have more problems if they have a caesarean."

Tatiana Sudarikova, 33, said it was healthier to have a baby vaginally. The Sydney woman had a boy, Alexander, yesterday, after a labour of less than two hours. "You should only have a caesarean if you have health issues during the pregnancy."

[Inanna]

Hefty numbers in this study. This is a good one Kelly. Thankyou...

[Liz]

I think its pretty idyllic to have a labour less than 2 hrs! heh.

omg brooke - you're at 37 wks already! When's your bub coming? 1 more week? or longer?

[EllyBoo72]

Getting back to the article, I have just a few questions and thoughts on this topic; I hope someone can elaborate more for me. I truly appreciate the data given, and would really appreciate more info

I personally feel we need to be educated before childbirth of the risks involved, regardless of how we give birth. Perhaps to be incorporated into the ante natal classes I for one would like to know of ALL of the risks to both mother and baby associated with Both Natural Birth as well as C Section, not just the stats, but the general risks also. I have read more about risks on c sect, but never heard of anyone having major problems associated with it, though I know of so many problematic outcomes with natural birth, of either mother or baby, yet no one tells us the real risks?

I am wondering what the underlying factors were that caused cardiac arrest during c section? Is it blood loss, an underlying medical condition, anesthetic? Was cardiac arrest more prevalent in those undergoing Emergency C Section?
Is the risk of cardiac arrest with c section the same as having any other surgery? I also as mentioned would love to hear of all risks associated with Natural Childbirth!

Either way, there’s no backing out for me now so hit me with it LMAO!!!!

Thanks Guys!

[Liz]

The "risks" of vaginal birth are probably more due to the mismanagement of the birth, than the fact that it was vaginal. We're always reading here about the cascade of intervention.. and that is probably what results in us hearing more 'horrible' birth stories when going vaginal.

But it only makes sense that major abdominal surgery would have greater risk than letting the body do it's thing (without interference). I too was wondering if the c/s risks were similar to other surgeries.

[EllyBoo72]

The "risks" of vaginal birth are probably more due to the mismanagement of the birth, than the fact that it was vaginal. We're always reading here about the cascade of intervention.. and that is probably what results in us hearing more 'horrible' birth stories when going vaginal.

What about the risks of Nat Birth, which dont just result from intervention?

[Liz]

Wow Brooke at him scheduling the c/s so far away! That's awesome. So if you go into labour, will it be classed as emergency c/s? How long would you let the "labour" go for? (let's make this all about brooke shall we? hehehe)

As for the risks of natural birth - I'm not really someone that can answer that! I'm sure Kelly can dig up some info - she's good at that But I've found that many of the horror stories I've read/heard are due to intervention, or bad positioning of mum (like lying on the bed) or something or other. I think it's great to have BellyBelly to read all the GOOD stories. hehe.

[EllyBoo72]

As for the risks of natural birth - I'm not really someone that can answer that! I'm sure Kelly can dig up some info - she's good at that I think it's great to have BellyBelly to read all the GOOD stories. hehe.

I Hope so! I'm sure she has seen all sorts of things let alone researched them...Anyways I know I love hearing about the GOOD stories too....But being the typical virgo that I am, I like to anaylise EVERYTHING good or bad, he he he. I stew over everything before I make any final decision, when it comes to most things

Oh, and the thought of problems due to "mismanagement" as you quoted Liz....of the birth....let alone intervention....Worries the hell outa me!!!

[BellyBelly]

Here is an interesting read of the risks of normal vaginal birth at Ina May Gaskin's 'The Farm'. Women go there for natural birth and they have records of all the interventions / complications / transfers. I think you will be shocked When birth is left alone, it goes very well most of the time. Compare these stats to your hospital

https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...ad.php?t=16159

[lindie]

Wow.................

Thought Id post about to have my 2nd C/s after 2 totally natural births and 1 elective c/s.....

Okay both have there plus sides really, both have there risks involved as does any birth, whether or not you are PRO/CON for either a little bit of knowledge goes a long long way.

Heres a quick run down on my particular experience, both natural births were at busy public hospitals after pretty decent length labors (days not hours) and both times I was up and walking back to the maternity ward after the birth.

Third baby, Little private hospital, TOP IVF obstertrician, small little issue of Ventriculomegally (abnormal (1mm out of normal) fluid on the brain Ventricle) I was pretty much told at 20 weeks it would be a c/s to avoid putting any pressure on the brain during delivery........so C/s it was, Forth baby this August I was only pretty much accepted into my OBGYN and hospital with a elective C/S at 38 weeks.....


Mmmmm Makes you think,

Oh and a sister who had her baby late last year was only given about 12 hours in labour before she was c/s due to failure to progress.....same hospital same OBGYN.

NOW dont get me wrong I LOVE my obgyn hes a living legend, But I do pause sometimes and think about the Public Vs Private debate......


HTH, Not aggrovate

Lindie

[Liz]

I wonder if the 'knowing the risk going in' also affects the birth stories we hear? Another article Kelly posted about c/s says that people can feel more in control having a c/s whereas with vaginal, it can be viewed as a wait and see what happens game (to paraphrase!). So if the mums don't feel in control.. even if the birth is pretty much problem free.. I wonder if that can often lead to the birth story sounding more horrible?

OK - I hope that made sense. hehe.

[EllyBoo72]

Ally - Why am I not shocked to learn you're a Virgo? I am too LOL.

coz btw - even tho I opt for elec c/s's...it doesnt mean I dont worry about what can happen - I freak out about the risks and Im not cavalier about my stomach being opened up yet again...its just this is the wayfor me - this alternative is the one thats best for me even tho it comes with all of this. I couldnt (well of course one can do anything if they have to - so Ill correct mysel) - I wouldnt do it any other way.

Brooke ;Another virgo!! Explains why we think alike Well, I do relate very well to your way of thinking, I totally feel the same as you do here! Perhaps we have had similar life paths thus far, as to warrant feeling this way? Who knows!

[Liz]

Yup - but I believe this site is focused on helping women to know how to maintain control during a vaginal/natural birth, and to shift the thinking so as to empower us to work through and even ENJOY birth! hehe. Everyone knows that bub could be in a bad position, or something or other during the labour, but with knowledge of how to deal with these 'unexpected' things during the birth, you can maintain a lot of the control. Obviously emergencies are another kettle of fish, but where vaginal births have bad or perhaps are perceived as bad, are when control is handed over to the caregivers leaving mum with little knowledge of what will come next.

[Inanna]

It is so wonderful to see such a group of well educated women sharing their feelings like this.
I am glad you posted Brooke and I for one don't see you as passionate about c/s. I am happy you feel you can make an informed decision. I also very much understand that there are psychological reasons that are valid and real for women to consider c/s. The psychology of birth is one of THE most important aspects of birth. As I have said before our head is the major birthing organ. If that is not in the right place the birth will not be smooth. I know this from my own personal experience and also from supporting other women through VBAC and difficult birth.

If a woman finds that for whatever reason her head can't get there and she weighs up the risks of major surgery and what she needs for her then as I see it that is an informed decision.

Induction has risks as well. Once a drug is administered your risks immediately increase. Then the cascade of intervention often begins and again this does increase risks to both mother and baby.

This site is about empowering women and to support women to enable them to make empowering and safe decisions.
You all know my take. I am passionate about natural birth. I am a medical person also so I am not blind to the risks of surgery/induction. However I am even more passionate about educated and informed choice.

The risks of c/section are much that of the risk of any major abdominal surgery. The risks of natural birth are statistically much less than that of surgery.

For Brooke I wish you a safe and beautiful birth and I am happy that you are comfortable with your choices and decisions. Ultimately this is what is important. If you feel empowered and safe you will likely have a satisfying memory. These things are so important for that early parenting. I think it's great that you have been happy to share so eloquently and gently your perspective.

[Inanna]

No problem Brooke. Enjoy these last few weeks as a pregnant Mama