C-Sections are becoming a “lifestyle choice”
A Controversial Choice?
To an ordinary person, there may be nothing particularly controversial about being able to pick when you can give birth, and how. However, elective C-sections are one of the most widely debated topics in obstetrics/gynecology circles all over the world.
Who really needs C-sections?
Only a small percentage of all pregnancies requires C-section, and these are usually pregnancies facing certain risks: structural problems in the mother’s reproductive system, or the possibility of a breech delivery (the baby is like to come out legs or bottom first).
The elective C-sections are done even without a proper medical indication. In fact, the obstetrical and gynecological society does not recognize elective C-section as an indication for Cesarean section.
That’s one reason why it’s hard to say exactly how many such procedures are performed. One rough estimate pegs it at 20 out 100 C-sections. Most o the time what happens is the elective C-section is hidden under some vague indication, like non-reassuring fetal heart rate, or something that would be medically acceptable.
What puts ob/gynes in a ickle is that while they need to inform a woman that elective C-section is not a primary consideration for any form of birth, a woman’s right to determine what’s best for her body and her child deserves respect. So why would women want to skip the whole process of labor, heaving and pushing, and waiting for the baby to come naturally out to the world?
Addressing your fears
Quite a few women who opt for elective C-section base their decision on what family and friends tell them.
The fear are usually fanned by your support people. If a woman’s mother was traumatized by her own childbirth, then the mother could be the first to convince the daughter not to go through labor anymore. If everyone’s telling her “No, I had such an easy time, it was great, there was no problem,” she wouldn’t have much fears going through child birth.
Your obstetrician also plays a big role in helping you address your fears. The doctor should thoroughly discuss with the patient why there are no indications for a C-section and the risks involved with any contemplated surgery.
C-Section risks
While childbirth is safer now more than ever, thanks to newer drugs and safer techniques, the Cesarean section is still major surgery, which carries along with it some risks.
In an uncomplicated C-section an anesthetic is injected into the space surrounding the spinal cord (spinal anesthesia). In a few cases, the use of spinal anesthesia could result in a significant drop in the mother’s blood pressure.
After a C-section, women can’t walk for about 24 hours. This puts them at risk of developing a blood clot in the vein. This blood clot could detach itself from the vein and travel down the bloodstream. Called an embolus, it could reach te lungs and block the blood flow, which may then deprive the body of oxygen. Symptoms include chest pains, dizziness, palpitations, or a drop in blood pressure. In some cases, it could make her cough up blood. If not detected early on, pulmonary embolism may lead to death.
Going through labor is much more painful than an elective C-section. In some cases, there might be more pain after giving birth in a C-section than in a normal delivery.
But there is also some benefits to a C-section. For one, up to 40% of women who underwent normal delivery may end up suffering from urinary incontinence, or difficulty in controlling urination, by the time they reach menopause. This problem is generally not seen in women who chose C-section.
Taking charge of one’s pregnancy
There is a wealth of information on elective C-sections out there, particularly on the internet. But it might be a little hard to figure out whether a source is reliable or not. This is why it’s important for a pregnant woman to discuss with her obstetrician all her concerns regarding pregnancy. This would help her form an informed decision.
It’s still her experience, it’s her child, and it’s her body. In the end, it’s her decision, hers and her husband’s. Of all people, it is she who knows what’s best for her child.
It all boils down to the woman being on top of her pregnancy, whether she goes through normal delivery or a C-section. Every woman should know and be informed about her body.
No comments yet.