Dr. Mercola November 15 2007 16,350 views
A major study of more than 94,000 births found that women who have a planned (elective) caesarean section put themselves, and their babies, at increased risk of serious complications and death.
The only time caesarian section was a safer alternative than vaginal birth was for babies who were in a breech position. But for normal, headfirst deliveries, the risk of the baby dying or suffering serious complications was one-and-a-half times higher when an elective (non-emergency) caesarian was performed.
This study should be a wake-up call, as nearly 25 percent of all deliveries are now caesarian sections. According to lead researcher Dr. Jose Villar, “The increase in rates of caesarean delivery at an institutional level is not associated with any clear overall benefit for the baby or the mother but is linked with increased morbidity for both.”
Said Dr. James Walker, spokesman for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and an obstetrician in Leeds, “[C-sections] can save lives in some circumstances but it does have risks for the mother and baby. It is important we don’t think of them as just another delivery option. This research is a reality check that we don’t go too far.”
There’s no doubt that a cesarean section can save your life, or the life of your baby in some circumstances. But the main point here is that ELECTING to have a C-section rather than going through with a vaginal delivery will increase your risk of serious complications, including death, for either you or your child.
Some instances where a C-section is necessary would include:
Unfortunately, the growing fanfare surrounding cesarean sections is another health care "illusion." The rising rate of C-sections is not due to an increase in the complications mentioned above, but rather to an increase in planned C-sections for reasons such as patient or practitioner convenience, pain-free labor, or provider liability fears, none of which constitute a valid reason for C-section.
If you are on the fence about whether or not to deliver your baby vaginally, remember that a C-section is MAJOR surgery, which brings with it many risks. As with all modern procedures, deciding to use drugs or technology is a judgment call -- it may make things better, or worse.
For example, babies born by C-section do not receive the natural stimulation that comes from moving down the birth canal, and therefore must often be given oxygen or a rub down to help them breathe. They also do not receive your natural hormones, which are released during vaginal birth to help your baby during its first moments of life.
Merely putting yourself in the hands of a high-tech doctor and a high-tech hospital does not guarantee you the safest birth. You yourself must take responsibility for your child's birth, including your decision of whether or not to use surgery.
There is not a single report in the scientific literature that shows obstetricians (specially trained surgeons) to be safer than midwives for low risk or normal pregnancy and birth. So if you are among the more than 75 percent of all women with a normal pregnancy, the safest birth attendant for you is in fact not a doctor but a midwife or doula.
Below is a variety of sources to help you make your pregnancy and childbirth as healthy and joyous as it possibly can be. If you are not pregnant, but know someone who is, take a moment to forward this vital information to her as well. It may make a world of difference.
Education resources:
Home birth resources:
How to find a midwife, doula, or birth attendant:
Water birth resources:
Emotional resources:
Hi KellyBelly:
You are so right. My own daughter has a bicornial uterus. It sounds as though you do too. She had attempted to have a home birth, since I, her mother, had been quite successful with mine. As you have said, it does not work out that way for some and can be very disappointing. My daughter goes in this Saturday for her 4th C-section. She will be having her tubes tied at the same time. After three boys she is expecting a little girl. May your c-section go well and you have a happy healthy baby.
Catryna
To put your mind at ease, this artical refers to those who for what they deem conenience, AND NOT DUE TO MEDICAL REASONS, choose to have a c-section. Your story sounds like my mother's. I was a scheduled c-section because she and my brother almost died during his birth, they did a vertical section on her. At that time, they didn't have the medications for the rH factor they do now, so I had to e taken outt several weeks early to prevent my death. Surprisingly, there are many women who have c-sections for no medical reason... simply because they feel it is easier. This is what the artical is referring to. You have severe medical reasons, and do not need to defend your choice. In fact, with a vertical c-section scar, I'm not sure you have a choice. I'm pretty certain your uterus would rupture if you tried a vbac, and the risks with a ruptured uterus are FAR worse than with a planned c-section. I had to have an emergency c-section with my only child. After 2-1/2 hours of pushing he hadn't moved from +1 station. Not even a millimeter... his head was twisted and stuck on something in such a way that he could not continue down. His heartbeat began dropping, there was no other option. I may have the option of vbac, because I have a horizontal scar... but many doctors won't take that chance. You do not need to feel bad... you have and had no other options.
Kelly,
I also wanted to add (I commented earlier to you) that I have a neice who needed an emergency c-section on her first. She now has 3 more (4 peanuts, total.. all very healthy!) with planned c-sections (no doctor would do Vbacs where she lived at that time), and after 2 c-sections vbacs are not recommended anyway. All of her children are healthy, and happy, and she is, as well. None, except her first, had complications. (And his complications were the reason she had a c-section) The article is intended to "scare" those who have no medical reasoning for c-sections, and to empower those who feel they are at the mercy of their doctors. It is not intended to shame those of us who had medical interventions to save us and our children. Congrats on your peanut.
Islander, THANK YOU for saying what you did about the orgasm involved in birth. I have experienced it. It's like no other! I had five children, of which I had three without pain, one with mild pain, and one with more severe pain (I was very tired; I had been in labor for 32 hours, and I had been weak to begin with, but even then the pain was intermittent, and I dealt with it.) Three of my children were born at home. Thank God nobody ever tried to do a Caesarian on me!
I think strapping down, shaving, enema, episiotomy, and fetal monitors are a violation of the laboring mother's rights, and it's time we told doctors, NO WAY are you going to interfere like that!
Pain is a sign of abnormality. If a woman is physically fit, she can do this athletic activity without significant discomfort. If you tried to run a marathon without training, you'd experience pain. Childbirth is no different.
Now, from a physician's perspective...things don't always go right and at the first sign of a problem that baby has to get out of there otherwise it MIGHT die. And, if you decide to wait or not get the baby out right away and the baby does die then there's the possibility of getting sued...not just getting sued for one bad night in labor and delivery, but for the value of 18 years of that kids life. That's literally years of hard earned wages and the emotional damage on top of that (Dr's are not invincible).
So, you can blame the few people out there that are lawsuit-happy that ruin it for the rest of us. So, from the physician's perspective...is that a risk I'm willing to take??