Rise in C section rates in the US

Rogue237

AcaAwkward said: I guess...um, at least we don't live in Brazil?! What is it now...like NINETY SEVEN percent or something in fathomable?

Yes! I saw that too! It's almost like a status symbol over there. There were interviews with the women basically being like "Push it out of my vagina? Eww." So sad.

Mustardseed2007

Bees Everywhere said:

You know for a lot of us it's not cheerful news when we're told we need a c/s or that there's a serious risk to our baby if we don't choose one. I went through a hard hard time both when I was first told the news and again after giving birth because I felt like my body failed in some way. Of course by now I'm just extremely grateful that they were able to detect the risk ahead of time and my son was born healthy. 

So having people say that we made the wrong decision to the point that we shouldn't even be given the choice ourselves is salt in that wound not to mention ridiculous.

Yes this was exactly what I was getting at too. Maybe things should  be handled differently, or even probably they should. I really can't say as that is not my field, but I think everyone should remember this.

Airynn Chica

Even in other developed countries besides the US the c/s rates are on the rise. I was told it is partially do to how busy our lives and that of the doctors are and our desire to keep things on a schedule. So a scheduled c/s or induction date helps keep things 'planned'.

Yes, I also had a cs but it was not scheduled and I also didn't want it but after laboring realized it was the best choice for me LO.

Mustardseed2007

poru said:

LalaMama81 said:

Bees Everywhere said:

You know for a lot of us it's not cheerful news when we're told we need a c/s or that there's a serious risk to our baby if we don't choose one. I went through a hard hard time both when I was first told the news and again after giving birth because I felt like my body failed in some way. Of course by now I'm just extremely grateful that they were able to detect the risk ahead of time and my son was born healthy. 

So having people say that we made the wrong decision to the point that we shouldn't even be given the choice ourselves is salt in that wound not to mention ridiculous.

Anytime the csection rate is debated no one is debating the need for csections in some cases. Who wouldn't be grateful for a medical advancement that saves lives? That said, they aren't always given for medical reasons. Some women are pushed into them. Some women experience the classic "cascade of interventions" that leads to a csection. Those are the things that upset me. 

I think its those ladies in the grey area that hate these conversations.  I was a typical "cascade of interventions".  My son was ultimately in distress because after over 24 hours of labor and 3 hours of pushing he was stuck on my curved pelvis and his heartrate started dropping when the doctor was going in to try to reposition him.  My water broke long before my contractions picked up.  I was in a hospital with a standard 24 hour time limit (although they let me push past that since I continued to progress and then ultimately start pushing). So I ended up on pitocin (many many hours after they recommended it because I was intent on only medically necessary interventions).  Would my son have not gotten stuck if I had just labored 48 hours and he came when he was really ready instead of being induced?  I asked that question a lot -- and am asking it again now that I am faced with the VBAC question.  What if I hadn't broken and finally agreed to the walking epi?  It didn't slow my progression down, but maybe slowed baby down? My doctor said DS couldn't be turned due to the shape of my pelvis (and yes I pushed in many different positions not just on my back); but who knows, if he was ready, maybe nature would have found a way?  My doctor is of the opinion that if I hadn't had an ECS, and this was 200 years ago, DS (and maybe me) would have died during childbirth (not unusual back then).

So where do you draw the line? Where do you suggest that Doctors take more risks when delivering babies?  I think the new recommendations that full term is really 39 weeks, and no inductions before 40 weeks (barring medical necessities -- which does not include big babies, otherwise healthy twins, uncomfortable moms) is a good one. 

Every time I say I had a CS, I feel like I have to defend it.  Or that I am being judged.  I agree that a third of all babies are being delivered via CS is a ridiculously high number.  But when people have these conversations, they frequently make very broad statements about interventions and other "natural birth only" statements which I don't think is helpful.  My SIL chose to have a CS (and her doctor did it at 38 weeks) simply because she was scared of childbirth.  I have a friend who was induced at 37 weeks because she was "really uncomfortable".  Perhaps we can start the conversation there at these actually unnecessary CSs?

All of this too.

After I had DS several people asked if I chose to have a C Section.

I'm always like - are you KIDDING me? My doc. will not induce early electively and won't electively perform CS either. But then that's my doc. and my experience.

nikki912

I always feel very sorry for the women who feel ashamed or feel like they have To defend the c-section that saved their baby or their own life. Even in cases where the choice was c-section or non-life threatening but serious complications. There is absolutely nothing wrong with doing what is best for your baby.

I think the unfortunate increase in elective c-sections has given people the wrong idea about women who say they have had a c-section. I think it's always best to assume the c-section was medically necessary.

RedDawnsRevenge

My hospital bill after my "emergency c/s" was $45k for me and $15 for the NICU team to stand around and meet DD. The end bill ended up much higher.

On the same token I have a GF who was induced because she wanted her son born on 8/9/10...

Bees Everywhere

spasticfantastic said:

i know, i know...  she's one person, one terrible story, etc.  she doesn't represent every c-section mom.  but i share her story to make the point:  cesarean sections are MAJOR ABDOMINAL SURGERY.  don't ever wish you could have one!  have one if you truly need one, that's why they exist.  but i promise you, a vaginal birth (no matter the anxiety, which is momentary in the grand scheme of things) is going to be better all around in 99% of cases.

I'm so sorry for your friend.  

It is MAJOR surgery. I got super irked when someone told me I got the "easy way out" with my scheduled cs since I didn't labor. No pretty sure I would have taken the labor over the surgery THANKS. 

While I'm going to do what I can to avoid surgery again, from my personal experience the recovery really wasn't that bad and I had a 10lb7oz newborn to lug around. I just wanted to address this b/c don't want Moms who end up needing one to have unnecessary fear about it being horrendous.