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I would be very interested in hearing Dr Stoll's and others views on Elective ceseareans.
Most doctors have up to now considered that a vaginal birth is the best way to go and that only certain medical conditions or emergencies should require a ceasarean.
However, lately, more and more are wowen are opting for elective ceasareans. The time and date is planned and the procedure takes no more than 20-30 mins. No labour, no pain and the vagina is kept intact.
Obviously, the recovery entails pain, but is apparantly not as uncomfortable or painful as believed, especially when taking pain medication on time.
I understand that many women feel that a vaginal birth allows for a "proper" birth and is crucial to the bonding process. But I have read many women's accounts of elective C's and they seem to have no problems with breast feeding or bonding.
When reading up on this, I have come across many pros and cons for BOTH sides.
And opinions or experiences?
In Reply to: Elective ceasarean vs Vaginal delivery. posted by Joanna on October 26, 2001 at 12:52:11:
My comment is a question:
If all women abandoned vaginal birth for caesarian sections and this went on for 400 years or maybe it would take a thousand, or a million, what would happen then?
Well, our species would lose the ability to reproduce without surgery, that's what. Suppose the labor begins and there is no surgeon present. A nasty way to go, don't you think?
Anyone who would even consider surgery to avoid the relatively brief pains of childbirth has more confidence in doctors than they deserve. Isn't our life unnatural enough as it is? It wasn't bad enough that our snazzy brains and use of weapons caused the disappearance of our fangs, our fighting teeth? Now we must lose the power of independant reproduction?
Perhaps it's for the best. Humanity will die and the rain forests can return.
In Reply to: Elective ceasarean vs Vaginal delivery. posted by Joanna on October 26, 2001 at 12:52:11:
Hi, Joanna - My daughter's first baby was delivered by cesarian because the baby was breech. The doctor didn't believe in turning it around because of the danger involved. She was not pleased at all with the time it took her to heal afterwards. She was in great pain, and the scar took a year to stop feeling "weird" and sore.
Friends of hers who had vaginal birth had none of these complaints. The episiotomy, if needed, heals quickly, and most doctors prefer this method delivery if at all possible.
She is now pregnant with her second child and hoped to deliver vaginally. This may or may not be possible according to her doctor, since she has scarring on the uterus, and many doctors do not feel it is safe to have anything other than a C-section once you have had one.
However, they are going to try to deliver it vaginally and will be prepared for a C-section in case of emergency.
The only women I have known who had C-sections had them because there was a medical reason to do it.
Hope this helps you in making your decision, whatever it is.
I'm sure others will have experiences to tell also. Raisa
In Reply to: Elective ceasarean vs Vaginal delivery. posted by Joanna on October 26, 2001 at 12:52:11:
I was always afraid that I would be permanently damaged from the spinal, or whatever it is they use nowadays. Both my children were born naturally without any anesthesia. I even felt being stitched up. I wouldn't have it any other way. Yes, it's painful, but once you hold that beautiful baby in your arms, the pain is forgotten.
Joanie
In Reply to: Elective ceasarean vs Vaginal delivery. posted by Joanna on October 26, 2001 at 12:52:11:
Hi Joanna-
I have had 2 children- both vaginal- one almost by c-section because of failure to progress so I supposedly needed an epidural and then had difficulty feeling the contaction to be able to push. The 2nd a homebirth caught by my husband. I believe God made the Woman's body to do things a particular way If he wanted you to have a c- section he would have put a zipper in.
But seriously here are my thoughts and reflections from my own experience.
1. Our body are integrated systems and as the baby gets ready for it's grand exit or entry it triggers hormones to start the process. To me that is awesome. Of course some babies do get over due.
2.As the baby comes down the birth canal the squeezing action of the uterus and cervix helps to clear or squeeze the mucus out of the baby's throat and respiratory system- by C section they suck it out by machine.
3. The difference between my first and second birth is that I felt violated, cheated. I really wanted to have the baby naturally- There is a tremendous sense of accomplishment of dealing with the labor pains ( skilled relaxation would definetly come in handy for this) and when you get to the point where you think you just can't do it any more it is almost time to Birth the child you've waited for 9 months for. The feeling is awesome- It is almost like a "Rite of passage" WOW I borught forth my child through my own power.
4.The decision for having the second birth at home was because I felt that the medical profession treats you like it is a procedure and something needing to be cured. consider finding midwifes for support or to ask qustions of.They know mean tricks or methods if tere is a problem. We had direct entry midwives meaning they are not nurses. I can't speak highly enough for them. Normal for them is a much wider range the the mD.s text book picture of pregnancy- bith
5. And finally, I think our society has gotten so brained washed into convience, schedules, the easy way to go- we wnat it when we want it and how we want it. And the Doctors will give it to us how we want it- a schedule c section means no night time delivery....
ps sorry I got off the main topic and put a plug in for midwives but hey that was part of my birth experience.
In Reply to: Elective ceasarean vs Vaginal delivery. posted by Joanna on October 26, 2001 at 12:52:11:
Hi, Joanna.
Listen to J9, Joanie, Raisa & Lynne (Thanks, guys!)
The % of ceasarian sections/live births, in this country, is a worsening scandal that has been perpetrated mainly for money and convenience for the doctor! It is another example of the foibles of the allopathic monopoly.
I have delivered about 1000 children and know that the skill of the physician (or the midwife) is paramount. Midwives have always had a better safety record than physicians!!!!!!!!!! Really good physicians routinely use midwives who are trained to recognize a possible problem delivery very early in the process.
Hope this helps.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Elective ceasarean vs Vaginal delivery. (Archive in pregnancy.) posted by Walt Stoll on October 27, 2001 at 09:08:06:
In the Netherlands, a large percentage of the women still give birth at home with the aid of a midwife. They never see an ob/gyn unless complications crop up. From the time they discover they are pregnant, they visit the "fruitwoman" for all their needs including delivery. Problem is..the number of people studying midwivery is decreasing so there's not enough of them around. Also, every woman that has a child whether at home or in the hospital is entitled to a week of home visits by a home health aid and nurse. Nice eh?!
In Reply to: Re: Elective ceasarean vs Vaginal delivery. (Archive in pregnancy.) posted by Barbara on October 28, 2001 at 09:02:35:
Thanks, Barbara.
When I was an intern, 39 years ago, I read a report that said the average length of a primiparous (first delivery) patient in the Netherlands was 6 hours while, at the same time, the average for a primip in the USA was 16 hours. The researchers thought the different philosophies of the 2 countries, regarding delivery (natural function of the human species [midwife] as contrasted with a disease to be treated [MD]) made the difference. The average patient in the Netherlands was calm and the one in the USA was petrified.
Namaste`
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Elective ceasarean vs Vaginal delivery. (Archive in pregnancy.) posted by Walt Stoll on October 29, 2001 at 09:42:47:
I have to tell you that the pregnant women here are really something to see. Its one of the biggest differences I see..well aside from the strange toilets and dogs on public transportation :) Pregnant women here don't gain much weight at all. They ride their bicycles up to the time of delivery and have very few problems. You are right, they don't treat pregnancy as an illness. Several of my foreign friends from school found that out the hard way when they wanted a ob/gyn, a multitude of preventive tests and monthly sonograms.
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