Nobody in their right mind would opt for surgery, if there was no medical need for it, would they? Well, apparently more and more women ask for elective c-sections and that’s why the NHS has decided to give them what they want: a cesarean on demand.
I fully agree that every woman should have a positive birth experience and that she should have as much of an impact on the birthing process as possible, but should women really be allowed to refuse pushing? I know that for some women it is medically saver to have a cesarean as labour could threaten their life or the life of their unborn baby and believe me, I am the last one to shout “No, make her give naturally”, but I am worried that a lot of women will abuse their new won right and not even consider going through labour – simply because they don’t have to.
I can understand that the thought of having to squeeze an 8lb baby out of an opening that seems the size of the eye of a needle is not technically what you’d call … and I also know that some women experience quite traumatic labours but I believe that giving birth is what the female body has been made for: Women have been giving birth naturally for centuries, so why would you want to put yourself through severe surgery, if you have alternatives?
I gave birth naturally, but I almost didn’t get the chance to experience birth the way it is meant to be: Amy was getting distressed during labour and after several tests midwives and consultants decided that it would be best to perform an emergency c-section. Ben was already in his scrubs when Amy’s lactation levels jumped back to normal and the consultant asked me if I wanted to go into the theatre or have Amy in the delivery suite. What a question? I happily agreed to have an episiotomy and two pushes later, Amy was born. I was allowed to go home the same day and looking back on it, I wouldn’t have wanted to give birth any other way – minus the complications, of course.
No way would I have wanted to have a c-section. During my entire pregnancy I said that I would only agree to a cesarean, if there was no other option for Amy or me. For one, did’t I want to stay in hospital for five days and for the other, did I want to enjoy my baby without having to worry about infections, my scar bursting, lifting something too heavy or bending over.
Also what about the financial side? The NHS is making cutbacks on all ends and can’t cope with the amounts of patients because there isn’t enough staff, but suddenly they have the money to perform surgery that is not even necessary? The ones who opt for a c-cection because they simply can’t be bothered to push (I am not addressing women who have a section for medical reasons here) probably don’t even think about those who really need those surgeons and consultants – cancer patients, premature babies or the old and weak. Sorry if this ended up in a rant, but I just don’t get it!
But what about you: Do you think women should be allowed to refuse pushing? Should a woman attempt to give birth naturally before she gets a c-section? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic!
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I have had 3 natural deliveries and feel that unless there is a medical reason for a c-section they should be avoided, recovery is longer, infection rates higher & bonding with your baby can be affected.
A caesarean is a major operation and think women should think very carefully before opting not to push – after all that is what we were designed to do!
I completely agree with you: Labour pain is over once your baby is born, but a c-section affects your body for weeks if not forever. It's major surgery after all…
I think we have to be careful about believing what we read in the papers and remember that the change in the guidelines is not aimed at women who just 'can't be arsed' because once you explain to them how horrid a c-section actually is they will generally opt to go for a natural birth. It is actually trying to address the growing number of women who were so traumatised by their first birth (generally the result of the NHS handling things very badly and leaving them emotionally or physically harmed) that they don't feel they can go through it again even if it is felt to be medically possible. I challenge you to listen to some of these women's stories and then tell them what a good job nature does.
We've all had very different experiences of labour that are bound to colour our thoughts on this but I think it is unfair to condemn other women who are trying to make the best choice they can for their baby. Having had both a c-section and a natural labour I would always choose to have a natural birth but only because no matter how awful my natural labour was the c-section was much worse. However, we should also remember that while a planned c-section is considered roughly as safe as a natural labour, attempting labour and then having an emergency c-section is very much riskier for both mum and baby.
I agree that many women feel traumatised by their first birth, I think though that the NHS should supply aftercare for these women. They should be able to talk about how labour affcted them and have someone to their side that helps them to develop a healthy mental attitude towards child birth again. I can't imagine this costing more than surgery and hospital stay and it's healthier, too.
You are right, of course, in that the most important thing is that mum and baby are safe!
I think that part of the problem with first time mums
wanting a C-section is that everyone seems to want to tell you their birth
horror stories when you are pregnant. It’s one thing to try to prepare people
for labour but another to just tell them how bad it is without offering advice
on how to cope.
But don't you think they don't know already that child birth isn't a walk in the park? I think that if you are a halfway informed person, you know that labour hurts and last ages but if you know your options and there is qualified staff available, that pain is a thing you can manage…