C-sections?

You always hear about everyone having elective c-sections. Why are women now a days electing to have a major surgery than to have a natural delivery? I have had two children naturally and I am hoping to have this baby naturally also. I was close to having a c-section with my daughter, upon hearing this I pushed harder and got her out. I am really afraid of thought of having a c-section. Dont get me wrong I am not agianst c-sections. I think they are great for women who medically need them, expecially when the moms or babys life is in danger. I just don't understand why c-sections are being done just because the mother doesn't want to have a natural birth. When did c-sections become so routine? How do you feel?

C-sections?
My wife has had 3 c-sections. All of which have been medically required.





Having seen that, I cant imagine why people would want to voluntarily have a c-section, with the recovery times, and pain associated with it at that point in time.





I do know, however, that some people schedule it so that they can either get back to work right on a scheduled time, or so that they can schedule time off of work right when the baby is born, and not take the chance that half their time is used just waiting to go in to labor.





Another part is that a lot of people see natural birth as a painful process. They dont see the surgery being as painful, and expect to have pain killers to cover any pain afterwards.





A more vain reason is that they dont want to have a child with a squished head. And yes, Ive heard one woman talk about that as the biggest reason for doing it.





Some doctors will tend to like the c-section option and may push for it, because it allows them to have better control over their own schedule rather than having as many midnight calls for women going in to labor.
Reply:P.S I loved all of the answers and wish I could have picked them all!!!!! Report It

Reply:I think the whole hospital setting makes c-sections more necessary these days. From what I've heard, doctors basically TELL you what you are and are not going to do. There is little freedom of movement, as you are strapped to monitors (internal and external) and IV's. The only way natural birth can happen for some women and some babies' positions, are positions other than laying flat on your back. Whereas, in a home birth or a more lenient hospital you can move around, walk, take a shower or bath, squat, lean, have your husband on the bed supporting your back, etc. you can instinctually get into the best position for you and your baby. Yes, c-sections save lives. But a lot more c-sections could be prevented using alternate birthing positions. Also it is a well-documented fact (read Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Childbirth) that just the entry of a person who the laboring woman does not know or is not comfortable with, can cause the cervix to go from a 10 to a 2. Remember what your mama told you about NOT bothering animals when they are in labor??? Think of the rush and hustle and bustle of all that is going on in the hospital - no wonder labor regresses for so many women. And c-sections become "necessary."
Reply:i am one of that went vag. on my first, c-sec. on second, and thankfully was able to go v-bac on my most recent.


being a mother that has experienced both, i would suggest natural if you can. Recovery time is far less, you bounce back to your prebaby self so much faster.


only positive to the c-sec. would be that it was pre-planned so i was able to prepare for the new arrival.


to each their own story though, the birth of your chid is just a part of the story, it doesn't define who we are as mothers.


Blessings!
Reply:I believe that c-sections have become so popular because of the lack of pain during delivery, the convenience of scheduling a birth, and the speed and relative ease of the operation. Personally, if I had a choice, I wouldn't elect for a c-section. I had an emergency cesarean with my first pregnancy after failing to pass the baby even though I was fully dilated and the baby was in position. Turns out my pelvis isn't big enough so the likelihood of another c-section is about 90% for me. On the plus side, the actual operation was not as horrible as I imagined it would be...it kind of feels like a pen writing on you and there's a lot of pressure when removing the baby. The tricky part is the recovery of course --a week or two having trouble moving around and using the facilities. It's worth it if it means the health and safety of your baby.
Reply:There's a lot of info out there about sex life being less exciting after natural childbirth, which may explain why the "hollywood" types are going for an elective c. They are safe, less mess, they are scheduled just like your manicure and massage, and you can go to the bathroom without pain soon after. I was all for natural Bradley delivery, but had to have an emergency c with my baby girl got stuck and her heart rate was dropping. Honestly, I think I recovered faster than some of my friends who went natural and were quite sore long after... I couldn't do situps for 6 weeks, but everything else was aok. When I have another some day, I'll take another c because I'm not thrilled with the rupture stats on "VBAC" (vaginal birth after c). So, I guess now I am in the elective c category, although I never thought I would be :)