Pregnancy Info HOME

I don't know, looks like we, the current generation, have been so indoctrinated with technology that being a human being and doing human things is becoming obsolete.

One of the reasons birth is so medicalized has a lot to do with the fact that OB/GYN's have THE HIGHEST rate of liabilitiy insurance. They have had to make the birthing process very medicalized because if something went wrong during labor and delivery, the doctor is more than likely to be sued. Doctors medicalize birth to protect themselves and their practice. If a doctor doesn't mention that a c-section may have to be done if something goes wrong, then the mother or father are more likely to think that they have been lied to. As a physician, we are expected to be completely honest about the process and the procedures under the Hippocratic Oath. If people weren't so sue happy, then I am sure that many more women would feel that their birthing experience was more natural.

When I get pregnant, I will be more than happy to have a c-section if that is what is best for my baby. I don't mean to sound cra__s, but society has caused doctors to medicalize birth. I encourage my patients to go as natural as possible for their births. At our hospital we have less than a 21% chance of a c-section. Maybe it is different regionally. We as physicians have to prepare our patients for any possibility (even the unlikely ones) in the rare event that they happen. Nowadays you can hardly go in for a bloodtest where they don't make you sign a consent form that sticking a needle in your arm could cause infection. We don't like the extra ha__sle, but it is what the hospital HMO's require. Doctors today are so limited to what they can do and how they can do it. We do the best we can with what we have to work with and hope that someday people realize that HMO's and liabilities are really hurting medical care. Trust me, as a woman and a doctor, all I want to do is make life better for my patients. So please don't attack me, but attack our system.

Colleen, If you were told to be prepared for a c-section just in case, it is true that you should be. In your example, refusing to believe more than 10% of women need c sections, what makes you feel you may not be in that 10% who will need one? I was a perfect candidate for home birth, had a very normal pregancy, went in to the hospital at 100% and 4 cm. A few hours later I had a high fever, had not progressed past 8 cm and was having involuntary pushing. I never thought I would be having a c-section. My mother had 7 children naturally, my sister had 3 with no problems, I had not prepared myself for surgery. I think maybe some doctors want to prepare people like me, that you may have a c-section, you are not an exception to the 10% (or whatever it is) even if your pregnancy and everything is normal. Even if you do find a midwife for a home birth, have a plan to get to the hospital, just in case. People on this message board are trying to find information after they have had or are having a c-section. Not everyone wanted one, and not everyone is very happy about it. While I do hope your labor goes naturally as planned, if you do end up at home after a c-section wondering what went wrong and looking for people to talk to about it..... maybe that would be a better time to introduce this topic. You will be happy you had a good confident doctor in place if you need one.

I also had a completely non-eventful pregnancy with my first, however, 4 days before I was due it was discovered that almost all my amniotic fluid had dissapeared and had to be induced. My son got distressed from a lack of cushioning during labor, pa__sed myconium (sp?) and they decided best to do a C and he came out perfect. One reason the section rate has gone up is because they more closely monitor you during labor. They had internal monitors for me and my son during labor so they could get a good read on what was going on. Personally I'd rather be safe than sorry.

A woman on the 3rd degree tear thread wrote this post recently: I gave birth to my daughter Oct. 4, 2003 and I had an episiotomy. My childbirth was horrible. My nurses were mean to me and my original delivedry doctor wasn't there so I was delivered by a stranger. Anyways after my daughter's birth I received a a___l fissure. That is the worst pain that I have ever been through. Each time I took a bowel movement it was literally 1000 times worse than delivery itself. In August of 2004 I had surgery on my sphincter and unfortunately it was unsuccessful. Finally my doctor prescribed me nitroglycerin cream, which made my fissure better, but I'm still not completely healed. Well I'm ready to have my 2nd daughter very soon, I'm thinking this weekend, and I honestly don't know what to do. I can't have the fissure get as bad as it once was, because I couldn't even take care of my baby after I took a BM. I would be crying in pain for hours afterwards, and I would force myself to fall asleep. Unfortunately my fissure reopens even when I become constipated, so who knows what's going to happen after my 2nd baby. My daughter was 8 lbs. 4 oz. and the doctors are saying this one is probably the same size or maybe even a little bigger. I think I'm going to go for a c-section, but I'm just so afraid that something will go wrong knowing my luck. I'm just very terrified, and I see my doctor this Friday, and I think he's going to schedule my delivedry this weekend and I'm still not sure on what to do. -------- End of woman's post. ------- After reading this woman's horrible experience some of you have the nerve to ask "what happened to birth"? What happened is that it is not always that natural, that's what happened. A c-section is not the easy way out to give birth and a v____al birth is sometimes anything but natural. There is a woman named "Melissa" on one of these threads/ forums who is wearing a colostomy because of her v____al delivery by a midwife. She did everything the "natural" way and look what happened to her. So there are no guarantees with a c-section or a v____al birth. Complications can arise either way. Do not pounce on me for all of those out there who are against elective c-sections and are for natural birth. I did not say a c-section was the easy way out. All I said was that neither way is easy or has any guarantees.

As I said before, I totally understand there are circ_mstances when a cesarean is the better alternative. As far as "...having the nerve to ask..." I thought this was for discussion and asking questions, sharing info, etc. I most certainly DO have the right to ask that very valid question. If I had all the answers I wouldn't need to ask other women anything. As evidenced in my original post, I have not only been researching what women think about c-sections, I have actually gone further and looked at statistical data sourced from hard data points (real patients and outcomes). My physician spoke like it was an accepted part of birth to almost expect a cesarean in this day and age and I find that abominable. With encouragement like that, no wonder many of us fear birth, a gentler suggestion to read up on cesarean section would have been appropriate considering my health, the baby's, and its current head down presentation.

To the lady who gave birth naturally in 03,and had a terrible time.This is what I say to those who have said that after giving birth naturally the pain is gone,that maybe true in the majority of cases,but as you know,and I Americans".As for who do we call when the going gets tough...look at the latest war,we got roped in,now the country is divided! Anyway,keep to what this is all about,that was meant as a flippent remark,not one to to start a war over!!!!!!!

Marcie, I agree with what you are trying to portray,basically you are agreeing when others have a go and say "it is major surgery",but you are also saying,which I agree with,that others on this list make it appear that having a c-section is worse than it really is.As you say when you have the operation,I think it a a fair comment to say that it is done so frequently.This is appropriate to put into equation how often a women does have complications.As to the remark about Americans,I think you said it because it is aimed at being sued..yes? Did it come from them? Whatever,I agree that it is happening too much,and we should not have copied a ridiculous legistration.However,I prefer to keep to what this site is aimed at.I do not come on here often,just click on every now and again.I see nothing has changed!

marcie, you are an idiot. You know nothing about the latest war. We didn't get "roped in" - we STARTED IT. And, just for the record, c-sections are major surgery; there's nothing "minor" about them. They ARE a big deal. They ARE life-changing, more so than a v____al birth. Why? Because with a v____al birth, you have the option of later having a c-section. With a c-section, you don't get the choice of having a later v____al birth; you have to argue for it and fight for it. Aren't you pro-c-sectioners all about choice? So why do you constantly ignore the FACT that a c-section destroys the very CHOICE you're so adamant about?

depending on the reason for a c section-it may be in the best interest to have a repeat or you may be able to have a VBAC. You do get a choice depending on the reason-if not (and its that important) then seek a second opinion about it. Also, my c section wasn't life changing-I guess for some it is, but for me it wasn't. I am glad that my guy pulled through OK.

That's exactly my point, 'well' - you have to "seek a second opinion" - whereas if you have a v____al delivery first, and then ask for a c-section, you're typically given one. But, you have to fight for the right to have a VBAC, and that's something no one seems to want to admit.

I agree with Colleen, there really are too many c-sections going on, and to be told in advance to prepare for one kind of takes the wind out of a woman's sail. Yes, we all should consider it a minute possibility, but most women should not think it is a BIG possibility. And I am curious too....I think Jamie is American and Marcie still hasn't said what nationality she is...I'm a Brit living in the US for the past 15 years. God Bless the Americans and God Save the Queen.

No,I do not think I am an idiot,just an opinion.By the way,yes,you may not have,but we did get "roped in"....anyway,enough about that.I have said,yes, a c-section is major surgery,but as Charlotte is able to understand,it is also wise for it not to get confused for other more serious operations.any operation,simple or not is a risk,giving birth is a risk.However,where this "major"surgery differs from other "major"surgerys is that it is believed to be a "safe"operation,that means the woman is expected by the staff to make a full recovery.If you look up about c-sections this is what they will tell you.Also,as I've got to repeat myself again,its pretty obvious to me,and others,that if cesareans were so "major"then you would only be able to have the operation rarely,not frequently,only when it was vital,and more emergency's than planned.Also in emergency situations,you would hear about more complications,than you do.As I also said,I know of people who have had,like me,cesarean births with no real problems,all I am saying is we need to get a reality check here,the fact is,yes its major surgery,but not life threatoning.By the way,yes,I am all for choice.If a doctor informs his patient that they should go for a planned cesarean,I can understand why some women maybe afraid...(certainly would be after reading these stories)however,the doctor for whatever reason feels it is safer for that method,therefor underlying what I have been saying about the surgery.I do not know if I am right in saying this part,but I suppose if a doctor allowed his patient to try a v____al birth,against his advice and things went terribly wrong,then in this foolish age if liability,and claims,there could be all sorts of problems,even if it was the mothers wish...maybe?As for fighting to have a VBAC,it depends on the reason you had it in the first place,but again today,a VBAC is achieveable in many cases.I know what you are aiming at,however,you can get v____al births that do go wrong,and end up,as in someone I know,where she nearly lost her life,and was told that she should never get pregnant again.I know this is extremely rare,you can have ones where things go wrong and women choose to have a cesarean.

Marcie, fine, whatever. Continue to spout your misinformed pro-c-section propaganda, go under then knife as often as you want to.

This is my first time on here,and I have just read through this posting.Jamie,you said to Marcie to continue spreading misinformed information.I think that Marcie does have strong views,but they are justified.For instance,I know of people who ended up having cesareans,one said she was in pain in the recovery but is ok now,she said she picked up an infection,others have said it was not as bad as they expected.The point is,exactly as Marcie says,it not a life or death situation.I may have to have a cesarean and came on here for information,I feel more comfortable in trying to come to terms with the fact that thousands of women have this operation done and they recover.I worry about the recovery,but others have gone through it.As Marcie rightly points out,if these operations were so dangerous they would be done rarely,and I agree you would hear more bad reports,I have heard none.Marcie.I thank you for pa__sing on information which I feel is truthful,your points does make sense.Jamie,why are you so against her? I read Marcie's last posting and it really does make sense,it seems "obvious"as she points out.