In praise of the C-Section

[Visitor6]

Thanks Kelly for derailing my thread.

That reply was in response to another's post describing her own negative feelings/ outcomes/outlook towards CS. To which I received thanks for.

Presenting a balanced view IS about hearing from those who sing the praises of CS. In doing so it's not glorifying it as an easy birth choice but showing balance.

War stories from health professionals have kept many a professional in business and filled many tea room. I can give you many a home birth tragedy. I can describe enough post partum traumas too. My won mother birthed as nature intended. She now has had her hysterectomy, and had multiple surgeries to repair the damage and incontinence that birthing naturally caused. (and no it wasn't the hyster) That is just point scoring describing things like that. I'm more than aware of MRSA and any patient in hospital can contract it, not just surgical ones. If you swabbed most hospital care givers you would probably find it there. So it's not contained to CS surgery.

I think after 20 years as a nurse, 15 as a Critical Care RN and nearly 13 as a paramedic, I know the complexities of major abdominal surgery as CS is accompanied by the risk of spinal analgesia. Especially when Christmas Eve we saw the drop in my partners blood pressure during her CS from a rising block.

Our CS wasn't an emergency but it needed to happen. A breech baby, and AFI of 4 and GDM on insulin. We moved from the Family Birthing Centre because if this. We saw countless doctors, we discussed it amongst midwives looking after and assessing us. You can't safely turn a baby in this situation without putting him at risk. EVERYONE supported what was happening-even the FBC nurses. Nothing was forced upon us- it was a completely open decision from a caring and considerate Tertiary teaching hospital OB team.

We weren't afraid (there's one) but were apprehensive and cautious about any surgery. However we informed ourselves- from all angles, so that we were prepared.

Yep a natural vaginal birth would have been wonderful for us both and we were looking forward to it all. however circumstances changed and we chose the path most healthy for out beautiful baby and my amazing partner- because I wanted the both here., SO the arrival of our perfect baby DID justify he means and we are no worse off because of it. That is why I detest those who slag off CS because despite your best laid intentions some of it rubs of on these groups of women and leaves them feeling like they don't deserve to. Tell me why a woman/ mother should feel bad because of her interpretations of your opinion on CS? Yes you can't make people feel anything,but if you are going to provide the forum for information you must acknowledge the alternative outcomes for peoples emotions.

You speak of friends "telling them" which choice to make; in some ways this is what a web forum does inadvertently by it's very nature. the flavour of a site can guide emotions and beliefs, the loudest, most passionate and articulate can have long lasting effects on others.

Sometimes you can push a cart so hard that you run a few people over in the end.

I have never discounted thee feelings emotions and beliefs of those women who's CS has created negative, sad or emotional and psychological outcomes. It's saddening that circumstances whatever they are including unnecessary CS forced upon them, have occurred. It's great that many can come here to talk about it. I would still suggest though that on a web forum is not the best for your emotional and mental health and so I will always suggest professional help ahead of armchair experts (myself included)

No one is trying to change the "philosophy" of BB. That is not my intention. If a balanced view is what you are on about then that article fits right in. the fact that some of those 20000 actually approved and thanked me for posting it, so I haven't failed everyone here.

It's also has nothing to do about comfort zones or blunting people from the truth it's about balance. You have posted a PDF file "All you need to know about CS", well whilst I though it was very informative and I'm sure it will help many, it really is "Why CS isn't for you". That subtlety is what disappoints me form those trying to sway women away from unecessary CS- just come and say it.

I appreciate the positive outcomes for your clients. I'm happy for them; I don't agree that you provide them with advice as opposed to information and information sources but if that has led them to happy informed birth choices then good on you. Whilst there are a lot of women that are or may be disappointed with their CS there are enough that aren't I'm sure.

As I said to other posters with opinions different to mine, I will read more in the CS threads and so will my partner to inform myself even more, and that left us both with a happy contribution to this thread. I have no agenda, just an outlook that is different to yours. I think last time I looked that is my right an informed individual.

Sorry to have compromise the site.