Why all the opinions on c-sections?

[~Flossie~]

Keira - all the best with your c/s

[Berry]

Keira - I am on the same page as you here!

Caesarians are available not just for medical reasons but to provide an option which may make life easier for birthing women in a variety of ways.

I think obstetricians are sometimes unfairly criticised for a rise in planned caesarians, when the trend is because this is an option more women are asking for. And who cares anyway if there is a rise in planned caesarians in Australian society??? There may also be a correlating rise in the amount of birthing women feeling happy and liberated.

[joralyd]

catherine, I would disagree with you that the general community believes women who have had c/s's are failures. In fact i think people are too quick to opt for a c/s without properly evaluating the risks, pros and cons.

I'm not sure who wrote this but it stuck in my mind and I thought I would reply.

I know the risks I know the pros and cons, yet I'm still choosing an elective C for the birth of my 3rd child and it's my choice, yet I feel like I'm judged for this, it may not be directly but just the fact that people feel they need to "inform" me of the risks, I have educated myself, asked many many questions and opinions and C/S is what myself, dh and my ob have decided.

I had an emergency C for my first and chose an elective C for my second due to breach baby, I felt this was the right decision for myself to make and I wouldn't dream of pushing my opinion on any other mother to be. All I wish is that I was given the support and understanding by my fellow mothers. I agree with most of what people have said here but my concern is not for the statistics or the causes or the place of birth or who you choose to deliver your baby but more for the mental well being for c/s mothers and the lack of support, comfort and understanding given.
It's so sad but there is a stigma attached to c/s births and this makes women feel ashamed and hurt I can say this because I feel it and I would hate for another mother to go through this also, but I know they do.

[Tobily]

I think there is some major confusion in this thread.

No one is saying that elective c/section should not be available to those women who want it after making an informed choice.

The concern is for the majority of women who go into hospital expecting a vaginal birth and come out with a belly wound.

They are two VERY different scenarios and alot of posts here are attempting to compare them, or lump them in as all the same.

I couldn't care less if someone has an elective c/section - their body, their baby. But that was not the birth I wanted, or many others here wanted. But that's what we got. Naturally we feel ripped off, and traumatised by that, which is WHY so many of us have an opinion about c/sections in general. That is WHY it's such a heated topic.

[Berry]

I think there is some major confusion in this thread.

The concern is for the majority of women who go into hospital expecting a vaginal birth and come out with a belly wound.

You would feel ripped off if you went through a long painful labour only to be given an emergency caesarian at the end. But I don't believe this happens frivolously; obstetricians have to be an advocate for baby's safety and unfortunately sometimes this involves overriding the requests of an emotional mother.

[BellyBelly]

I posted the directive in May as well as studies in the news forum

https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...ad.php?t=36829 (NSW directive)

[BellyBelly]

Apparently it already has.

[Julie Doula]

2% of c/s are as a result of maternal request.

It's the rise in unplanned, not-desired c/s as a result of the medicalisation of birth, that is causing so many women to experience c/s as 'negative' (well, it was, for them - understandably).

C/s is available as a funded option.

Homebirth, another effective way to avoid birth trauma, is not available as a funded option.

The cultures where women are more liberated have very high rates of homebirth and as a result, excellent peri-natal stats. The cultures where women are more oppressed (I'm talking 'first world' here,) such as Brazil, have the highest rates of c/s and intervention.

While we applaud c/s, including elective c/s, as an option, to have that available but homebirth, and other midwifery-model approaches to birth less available or accessible, is hardly liberating.

[Inanna]

Isn't it wonderful to see all of this discussion from such spirited and intelligent women. It's fabulous.

I am confused Catherine and I will say offended. I am a huge advocate of women's choice. I am very very pro choice. However, I lament when choice is not evidence based. Because often when it's not, when a decision is made that the woman does not feel in control of, or understanding of there is often much struggle afterward.

You are saying c/section is best for you and others are saying that wasn't their experience. Why is that a problem? These women have every right to convey their feelings about their birth. If you choose to feel it's about you then that's your journey. But we can't put a lid on peoples experiences so others dont' feel put out. I have had great fanny births but that doesn't mean I would never choose c/section if it was necessary. Or an induction. And, it would never enter my consciousness that I would be judged for it. Goodness me. But I do know what it's like to be judged for my birth choices... When you birth in water, at home, with other children present, no obs, candles, co sleeping, demand feeding, extended breastfeeding, tandem feeding... the list goes on. Some folk find that foolhardy. Folk who don't know the stats, the who recommendations... So judgement I do know about. So, to be accused of judging another woman for her choice is hurtful to me. But perhaps that's my hormones, my sinus infection and the time of day...

Kiera: I too must have misunderstood your post. I thought you were asking why people had opinions. So, I offered why it was so from my perspective. I didn't understand that wasn't the question... I hope your birth is all you hope for and you have a great experience.

I just want to reiterate. I said it in my first post but I want to say it again. I completely understand why women choose a c/section. Psychological reasons for c/section are very real and great. I have a great many friends here on BB and in RL who would consider a c/section due to experiences losing a child, sexual assault, birth trauma etc. They are real reasons. I want that to be heard. Its quite irrelevant if I think they are valid reasons, they are valid for that person, for that birth. I would walk over glass to support a woman through that experience (and I have ).

If a woman chooses a c/section that's her choice. Many of these women didn't choose a c/section. They did not have the birth they wanted and they feel pain around that. That is valid and real.

This is always a hot topic. I am not sure precisely why. It seems that folk find it hard to own their choice. I know of one gutsy lady here on bB that chose c/section and had her own midwife. She had the birth of her choice. It was informed and what she wanted. I am certain she felt empowered and LARGE. She didn't have regrets. It was an informed choice. I didn't want to mention names...

Flea and the other Mamas are saying that they feel they didn't have that choice. I hear that and I am so sorry...

So, please don't throw around blanket statements about women not supporting each other. WE need to hear each others stories, if someone doesn't want to do that then don't read the post, but don't stop the process of learning and hearing and healing that comes with discussion .... please. We all deserve to be heard. I learn something new each time I read a post. That is a wonderful thing.

[Julie Doula]

I've just read the report from the National Caesarean Awareness Day Forum - “The Caesarean Section Rate is Rising … Let’s Talk about it” held in September 2006.

Does anyone have a more recent report?

[Inanna]

I don't Julie...

[Inanna]

Your point is a very valid one Liz and I am sorry I missed your post...

The problem with "emergency c/section" is that women don't get the chance to shop around. They are often told... We have to get this baby out now.
As a consumer we need to ensure our care providers ethos can be married with our own. We need to interview them for the job. I learnt this the very painful way.

We need to say in this situation what do you think/believe. What's your policy on c/section/induction/wwaterbirth/painrelief...

I don't want to come across as obs bashing - because I am not. Like one of the earlier posters I truly believe we have to take some more responsibility for our outcomes. That only happens when we choose to educate ourselves.

Women who are supported in birth by another woman trained to do so have better outcomes, fewer interventions and greater birth satisfaction. It's a fact.

[christy]

I was never asked to sign a consent form?? I can't remember that... I just remember being told this is what is happening next & I asked "is my baby in danger? NO am I in danger? NO, then why? In case you get in danger" I asked for more time & then again in 2 hours was pushed again... after a while it became more risky but I think that women often don't know that they have a choice. I wasn't given choices I took them myself.

[Inanna]

Christy, perhaps your husband signed the form? A consent form HAS to be signed or it's assault. Surgery cannot be performed without it. It's illegal...

Unless you are deemed of unsound mind or are unable to consent to surgery. Then your next of kin has the ability to do this..

[Liz]

Flowerchild - yeah, I guess I was thinking more of scheduled c/s. Certainly no time for OB shopping in labour!

I guess I should quiz my OB now, altho, in everything else he has been VERY supportive, so I do have a lot of trust in my OB. I've almost heard a sigh of relief from him when discussing some of my decisions. heh. My OB seems to be very hands off, and is happy to be.. I think he knows I only see him as a just in case LOL. (I think I should make him earn his fee a bit more!). I guess that's one reason I prefer to go private with an OB. I love the idea of homebirth with midwife care, but I have a couple of specific things that I feel more comfortable with knowing I have a supportive carer should the situation arise. It could be deemed unneccessary I guess, but I like knowing who my Dr is at the end of the day.

[monnie]

One of the reasons I think this is such a 'hot' topic is that even the professionals can't agree...much the same reason as ADHD is such a 'hot' topic...

Certainly for me...so far...trying to make an 'informed' decision when so many disagree is incredibly difficult...almost impossible...

From my experience (which is incredibly limited to date...totally admit that), I've come across huge variations in opinions amongst midwives and amongst Obs.

I'm due to give birth in 3 weeks...how I'm going to do...still not sure..

I have had uterine surgery in the past and this is what is complicating the picture...

In the past 5 weeks, I have seen 3 Obs...2 have told me I would be crazy not to have a c/s and 1 has told me that I probably don't need one...

I've read all the scientific articles I get my hands on (done a thorough literature search through medical journals)...and they are inconclusive...

I've ploughed through numerous forums...and get confused...

Even our antenatal classes (which were run by 2 different midwives), gave different opinions...

So as hard as I'm trying to make an informed choice...it's so confusing!!! Always in the back of my mind is the "what if I don't have a c/s and something happens?"...then there is the "what if I do have a c/s and I actually never needed to?"

It's just so confusing (think I've already said that!)...and it's no longer 'me' that I need to be worried about...it's my baby...that's a huge responsibility to carry...

Sometimes with information and knowledge, you can become even more confused...and as much as I'm a believer in 'instinct', we also live in a society that is reliant on intellect and I wonder how well honed my "instinctive skills" are these days!!!

[BellyBelly]

Doctors Fail To Discuss Caesarean Options

[kiki]

Berry, It's fantastic that you have a good relationship with your OB BUT it is because women like you put so much trust in one person without doing the research themselves that they end up with unfulfilling birth experiences like some of the people posting in this thread. The risk of morbidity to the baby following an unecessary caesarian section IS 3 times higher than following a vaginal birth and this is researched and proven fact. Kelly has posted the link so have a look if you like and maybe take it your OB to show him, you may enlighten him on something he didn't know either then other women under his care can have the correct advice. Don't get me wrong, I'm not having a go at you I actually feel sorry that the OB that you obviously put alot of faith in is telling you the wrong thing- he has no right.