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Okay, so I didn't realize the statistics. What is the deal with this? Why are so many c-sections being performed?

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles...tate_to_outstrip_us/

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Suzy Richardson,

From what I read, hospitals are pressuring doctors to perform more c-sections because they can make more money (through insurance companies). I'm sure some doctors don't mind because they actually make more money by performing a major surgery too. Add on top of that the convenience of the doctor being able to schedule when he works and there you have it...

Oh, and because women's bodies (at least 1/3 of us out there) just aren't capable of having babies the way God created our bodies to. That's what many doctors are now telling women...that they just won't be able to push the baby out. I know one girl on another message board I visit said her doctor wanted to schedule a c-section at her 20 week appt. because her pelvis was so small. This is her first pregnancy and he didn't even want to give her the chance to try.

Then there's the VBAC issues. Doctors are afraid of lawsuits, so many of them won't support a VBAC delivery.

I understand that C-Sections are sometimes necessary, but a majority of the time, it really has become a matter of convenience.

From what I am reading, the same thing is happening in the U.K., although their rates are about 1:4, while ours are about 1:3. But, aside from just doctors and insurance companies trying to make another buck, I am reading that some women are opting for c-sections for convenience...

Okay, I'm going to ask this, and I'm not trying to sound judgemental in any way, but I'm really curious and would love to hear from women who truly feel that a C-Section is more convenient.

But really, is it convenience or fear of the natural childbirth process? I ask because I've had 2 C-Sections and with the much-longer recovery time, (Including hospital stay) and trauma to your body, how is it convenient? (Other than getting to pick your child's birthday). Most women who have their babies naturally are able to get up and walking around right after their deliveries. Not so with a C-Section! Getting around is hard, changing the baby's diaper is hard, managing the pain is not fun! And trying to get that pre-pregnancy body back...not convenient! Of course that is my personal experience.

Like I said, I'm not trying to sound judgemental, and I'm sure there are women who do not fear having a baby vaginally but still prefer a C-Section. I'd just like to understand what the conveniece is?

quote:

Originally posted by hotmommahas4kids@aol.com:
Okay, I'm going to ask this, and I'm not trying to sound judgemental in any way, but I'm really curious and would love to hear from women who truly feel that a C-Section is more convenient.

But really, is it convenience or fear of the natural childbirth process? I ask because I've had 2 C-Sections and with the much-longer recovery time, (Including hospital stay) and trauma to your body, how is it convenient? (Other than getting to pick your child's birthday). Most women who have their babies naturally are able to get up and walking around right after their deliveries. Not so with a C-Section! Getting around is hard, changing the baby's diaper is hard, managing the pain is not fun! And trying to get that pre-pregnancy body back...not convenient! Of course that is my personal experience.

Like I said, I'm not trying to sound judgemental, and I'm sure there are women who do not fear having a baby vaginally but still prefer a C-Section. I'd just like to understand what the conveniece is?

I totally agree with you...I ended up having c-sections with both of mine as well (not by choice the first time) and I definitely did not find it more convenient...it was a pretty horrible experience the first time. I was in a great deal of pain afterward and didn't get to see my girl until my meds wore off... but I wouldn't change it...my daughter's head was measuring 40 weeks when I was only 36 weeks pregnant and I was actually going to a birth center at the time....they were the ones who suggested I see their primary because they were concerned. The second one wasn't nearly as bad and the recuperation was definitely easier but I would have to agree that the only convenience was originally knowing exactly when he was coming...although..I went into labor the day before my scheduled c-section! He still has a mind of his own too....haha

Oh that's too funny. I went into labor the morning of my scheduled C-Section (2nd one)! And I do have to admit, the 2nd one was much easier to recover from too, but still not what I would consider convenient! My first C-Section experience was pretty horrible too, but I was at a Military Hospital. I can totally relate to what you are saying!

Ouch! All of this talk of birth is making me hurt, lol! I remember this woman, a few weeks ago, telling me how she loved her c-sections and how she would never want to have to go through the labor. It made me think if this article:

Too Posh To Push

Here is the thing though: how much say do we have in our delivery. I'm gearing up for my first and do not want to be induced and do NOT want a c-section...but with all the pressure out there how can we tell if we're being stubborn or if we really need to do as doc says? I have a great midwife so it may be a trust issue but I really hope things go well and everything can happen naturally...perhaps sometimes we just don't give God enough time to get things done because we are impatient (I know I am) or because we love control so much (I konw I do).

I think that these days, people want two things: control and convenience. That is what it boils down to. We actually have more say in our birth experience than many of us know, which is why it is really good that you have a mid-wife who you can voice your concerns to. I recently read a statistic that reported that doctors have a 70 percent higher rate of c-sections than do mid-wives. I will have to try and track down that statistic. But, the main thing is that your voice is heard and you and your mid-wife are on the same page. And since I know who your mid-wife is, I say you're in good hands. Especially since your pregnancy is not a high-risk one.

Hi,all. I am new to this but have enjoyed reading all of your blogs. First, I will introduce myself as a mother of two (5&2),married, and a RN in labor and delivery. I couldn't contain myself any longer. I am intotal agreement that natural child birth is the way to go. I am somewhat sensitive to your comments that imply our patients do not have a voice or would be better off with a CNM. The reason the MD's may have a higher C/S rate may be due to the fact that any highrisk pregnancy is referred to the MD by the CNM. Highrisk pregnancy also increases your risk of C/S. I'm not going to quote statistics. But I feel confident that our nurses and MD's will hear your voice. Someone made a very good commennt people want control and convenience. My comment to that is have a home birth or a birth center birth. Most people want access to medical care in the event that an emergency should happen. But most people don't understand that with that access also comes a standard of care that we are obligated to provide. Due to the litigious society that we live in hospitals have to have policies that protect their employees from causing any harm to anyone. They don't just freely come up with a policy, it is researched,discussed and discussed some more. I have been in labor and the hardest part was not having any control. So I get where you are coming from. But hear me when I say the doctors and nurses want you to have a wonderful experience as well. Don't be afraid to speak up and discuss whether or not something is medically necessary or not. But please don't be quick to judge. We are here for you and your families. I realize that people are not perfect and there may be some awful nightmare stories out their about someone's delivery. And there may be some truth to those stories. But I can promise you that is a small percentage of what I see.

MamaC,
Thanks so much for your input. It's always really good to hear from someone with experience in the field.

"The reason the MD's may have a higher C/S rate may be due to the fact that any highrisk pregnancy is referred to the MD by the CNM."

Your above response was a good point and one that I hadn't really considered. I guess what I am taking away from this is that we, as patients, should speak up without feeling intimidated. And I guess that has a lot to do with the relationship the patient has with the doc or mid-wife. I suppose it is one that is established long before the birth.

Hope you'll be back for more input! And one more thing regarding c-sections, have you experienced a higher incidence of c-sections where you work? We are hearing in the news about the trend due to convenience. From where you are standing, how true is it?

I do agree that most doctors do want us to have a great experience, but there are some out there who are so focused on getting the job done, they often ignore their patients' requests and desires.

When I go on the pregnancy message boards, I find women who are told by their doctors that they have to have a C-Section because their baby's are breach (at 20 weeks!) or because their pelvis is too small...these women have never given birth before, but the doctors are already deciding for them that they can't do what their bodies were created to do!

My first birth experience was miserable. I brought in my Birth Plan, they didn't so much as glance at it before throwing it in my file. Then, they pretty much violated every request in my birth plan, including the request that no interns be involved in any surgery if surgery was necessary. I remember being on the operating table and hearing the doctor yell at the intern for picking up (or moving my bladder). She scolded the intern for a good minute. It didn't occur to me until after my surgery that the intern shouldn't have been in there in the first place!

When my son was born, they tried to show him to me but his face was covered by the blanket, and even though I told them I couldn't see him, they just wisked him away while the doctor stapled me shut. How hard would it have been for them to remove the blanket off his face and try again? Needless to say, I ended up very depressed after that experience!

On the other hand, my second experience was wonderful, even though I had a repeat C-Section. My OB was willing to let me try for a VBAC, but he told me I most likely would have a very long labor and the delivery would most likely be unsuccessful. After talking to him, I didn't feel like he had a whole lot of confidence in me, nor did I feel he had enough experience for a VBAC delivery, so I opted for the repeat.

The doctor actually took his time during the C-Section and worked on cleaning things up from my first surgery. The hospital staff was great and made sure I got to see my baby right away and even took a picture of me, my husband and the baby all together in the operating room. I left that experience completely happy, hardly had to deal with any "baby blues." I almost felt like I was on a high over the next couple of days because everything was just awesome.

This time around, I found a wonderful OB who is totally supportive of a VBAC delivery. He also encourages women to hire a Doula and promotes a drug free birth (although he never pressures his patients to go drug free). I feel that if this time around my VBAC is unuccessful, that I went in knowing we all tried our best, and that's all I really want to know, that everyone did what they could!

Well, I am interested in knowing how your VBAC will go. How far along are you now? I think it all boils down to who your providers are. For me, at least, that was the case and it made the biggest difference in the world. If I could do it all over again, I'd do much more research about who I was using as a doctor and I would have probably sent that nurse away - the one who told me "What pain? You are feeling pressure!"