Another question for mom's who had c-sections ....

do you / did you feel that your c-section was unnecessary in any way? Like the doctor was rushing you through labor or that drugs (the epidural?) slowed you down?

Reason I'm asking:

My SIL & I are eight weeks apart & we're going through this process totally differently (which is fine, I believe everyone has a right to their own choices). She has completely different views than I do & we disagree on alot of issues. Problem is, SHE takes a condecending view towards me b/c I'm more traditional & am seeing an OB! Lately, its been hard to take.

Her point has been that c-sections are so common b/c dr's are afraid of lawsuits, that drugs slow the process, and that 'traditional' birthing methods make it difficult to face labor w/o the drugs (ie laying on your back, attached to the fetal monitor)...

Basically she's been dr bashing & I'm not comfortable giving birth for the first time w/o a dr. We're definitely not seeing eye to eye ... So, I wanted some feedback from the group on this issue. I don't want to let this topic stress me out any more!

In my situation I had no choice for a c-section. My daughter had been tranverse(sideways) and they scheduled my section. My last visit to the dr., showed that she was now breech...feet first...and I was 1 CM dilated. He would not let me wait until my scheduled date because he was afraid of me getting to 10 Cm and running into major problems if I wasn't at or nearby to the hospital. I had my daughter 2 hours after my Dr. visit.

IMO, I don't know that doctors would rush to do a section unless it was really necessary. They try not to do them unless it's needed. I spoke alot to my doctor about this. I did not want to do it. I really wanted a VB, but he said there was no way I could without major risk to the baby.

All the best to you!!

I didn't think that my dr would either, but this conversation with her is starting to make me upset and am needing a little moral support in this!

I just wanted to hear from you guys ... that when it was done, that it was needed!

Christine,

I was overdue and had not dialted at all. I was scheduled to be induced. Before my Dr. even gave me the pitocin he did another sonogram in the hospital. It showed that Brandon was quite large and he had some reservations about me delivering naturally.

I asked him what hew thought would be less traumatic for the baby and he said c-section. That was it for me..and no I don't feel like I was cheated out of a V-birth. My main concern was the health of my unborn child.

I didn't really have a choice, when I went into labor I was only 3 cm, and I was not progressing very quickly and the baby's heartbeat was dropping so they said she is in distress and they had to get her out quickly, b/c they didn't know what would happen if they waited for me to go ******lly, thank goodness I did, the umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck and she took a poop inside of me so she could have died if I would have waited.

Talk about the pressure that was put on me, they scared the crap out of me!!

My son was breech & there wasn't enough fluid to turn him. So, they scheduled a c-section a week before my due date.

This is YOUR baby do WHATEVER you want to do!!! Don't listen to anyone!!! Do what makes you feel better & more secure!!

There are very valid reasons to have a c-section, but the frequency of them is increasing. I would want to know my doctors/midwife's track record with c-sections is before picking one.

I've read a number of articles on the subject, and they mirror your SIL's concerns - doctors do sometimes rush into the c-section because its 'easier' or faster for them.

But I hate her condesending attitude. You should do whatever comfortable for you. Just because you're using a doctor doesn't guarantee a c-section.

I completely agree with LisaT!

Usually, OB/GYN's have a higher percentage rate of c-sections [as compared to midwives or family practitioners].
Because of this reason, I went to a family practitioner...I was in labor 72 hours and pushed for over 3 hours. No OB/GYN would have let me go that long. They would have performed a c-section. And at that point, I would have agreed to it!!

Christine,

My dr. was adamant about not doing a c-section 'just for the sake of doing one', however, he was honest and upfront about the possibility that I would need one. Ryan was very high and large - too large for my insides to handle. He discussed the possibility for weeks before with me so I could be prepared for the possibility. Not only that, in the hospital, he let me make the final decision of what we wanted to do. He also told me that he would never have been 'cruel' (his word) and let me go 30 or 40 hours before deciding to do a c-sec (which happened to 2 people I know! ). OB/GYNs obviously have a higher rate of sections because they are surgeons and can do them!

In the end, you need to trust your own judgement and have a dr. you trust. I wanted what was best and least traumatic and stressful for my baby and myself - the c-sec was it.

Just be prepared that part of being a mom is listening to all kinds of advice, etc. from all kinds of people. The key is to trust your own judgement and do what you feel is right for you and your baby. Stick to your guns and trust yourself even when you are in doubt, which is a hard thing to do! Be well!

There's really no reason for your SIL to be condescending toward you about this. It's unfair for her to do that to you.

I think that you need to speak w/your OB about this - perhaps your own doctor's point of view could ease your mind. Have you asked what the percentage of sections are compared to v-births for their practice? That was one of my first questions of my OBs in California AND the one's I'm interviewing now for my care in NY.

Each doctor is different. The OB that delivered Paul allowed me to push for 4 hours with only a mild suggestion at a section. Toward the end, it was getting difficult for me, but the baby was not in ANY distress, so there was no 'rush' to cut me open. Had Paul, god forbid, been in danger, I would not have asked the OB to give me more time to push, I would have agreed w/the section.

I also think it is a misconception that sections are more common due to the OBs wanting the birth to go 'faster' and be 'easier' for them. There's still plenty of risk in cutting a patient - so sections do not preclude a malpractice suit. I think the REAL reason sections are more common is b/c women are CHOOSING them to suit their own conveniences. Especially in the case of second births after a section. JMO.

coming from a midwife patient- you have the RIGHT to chose who and how to deliver your baby. Your SIL is out of line. I would tell her point blank 'You made your decision and I have made mine. I will NOT discuss this any more with you'
I would never push my midwife on anyone. It is such a personal decision.

Thank you all for your words of advice & for sharing your experiences. It makes me feel so much better to hear from those who have lived through it.

I keep telling her that you will never know what will happen until it happens and that whatever is best for the BABY will be what we decide to do. I've also stressed the point that women who are high risk do not usually deliver (if ever, I don't really know) in a birthing center, because of the risk of complications. So the women who give birth there will be much less likely to need a 'c' .... if you're just looking at numbers or percentages then this has to be factored in.

Claud ... I will take your advice and have this conversation with my dr when I see him next week. I know that will make me feel better about it! I trust him and have for many years, and I know that he would never put convenience ahead of safety when it comes to labor and delivery. I'm also sure that if I felt strongly one way or the other or wanted to try on my own, that he would be supportive, unless he felt it was urgent!

Michele ... the next time I find myself in this conversation with her I will say exactly that ... that we've each made our own decisions. We'll have to agree to disagree. No more discussion is needed!