Please comment on this patient/doctor interaction:

Patient: Well, obviously, I'd like to stay away from a C-Section if I can and labor naturally for as long as my body needs to.

Doctor: That's really antiquated thinking. Now adays, many C-Sections are planned by the couple in advance. There are some real risks to vaginal delivery. Your baby can be in distress being in the canal for so long. Later on, your uterus can collapse, you can become incontinent. We'd like to let you labor naturally as long as it's safe, but C-Section is a real possibility. I have three children. My wife delivered them all naturally. But C-Section rates are on the rise for good reason. One is not necessarily better than the other. If you don't plan on having more than 2-3 children, than C-Section may be more preferred.

Message edited 5/2/2009 12:08:59 PM.

Re: Please comment on this patient/doctor interaction:

At first I was thinking that the doctor is just trying to get the patient comfortable with the possibility of a c-section since it's always a possibility.
But reading further it sounds like the doctor is a bit c-section happy! He said.."One is not necessarily better than the other." I thought all doctors agreed that it's always better to delivery vaginally if possible...?? And yes, there are risks to vaginal delivery but they seem trivial compared to the risks of having a major surgery such as a c-section.
Very strange.

Re: Please comment on this patient/doctor interaction:

Umm...c-sections are on the rise yes...but i tend to think its b/c if you dont follow the dr's schedule, screw you we're doing a c-section.

you're right...i also would like to avoid a csection if possible. unless im in danger or the baby is then do what you have to do.

but really...i think that response from the dr. is not cool.

Re: Please comment on this patient/doctor interaction:

Posted by Mere09

At first I was thinking that the doctor is just trying to get the patient comfortable with the possibility of a c-section since it's always a possibility.
But reading further it sounds like the doctor is a bit c-section happy! He said.."One is not necessarily better than the other." I thought all doctors agreed that it's always better to delivery vaginally if possible...?? And yes, there are risks to vaginal delivery but they seem trivial compared to the risks of having a major surgery such as a c-section.
Very strange.

Re: Please comment on this patient/doctor interaction:

I think c-sections may be on the rise due to the doctor's fears of lawsuits. A c-section is major surgery and I want to avoid one if at all possible.

Re: Please comment on this patient/doctor interaction:

I didn't post this originally because I wanted a bit of objectivity. But, here is the patient response to the doctor's C-Section Statements:

Patient: (To Herself) Right, C-Sections cost a lot more. Your office profits, the hospital profits and the anesthesiologist profits. And then you can more quickly move on to the next billing claim in the room next door. Plus, YOUR liability has decreased from a C-Section, but not necessarily mine. Thanks Doc......I love that you think you're in charge of my body.

Re: Please comment on this patient/doctor interaction:

I would run in the opposite direction from this doctor!

Re: Please comment on this patient/doctor interaction:

It sounds to me like this doctor is pro C section. Sometimes people are so anti-c-sections, that a doctor may need to help them understand that they are not all that horrible and sometimes absolutely necessary.

I would make it clear to your doctor about your wishes and your birthing plan. You may also want to consider hiring a midwife, this way you have someone in there with you, who understands the medical side of it, and can help make sure your birthing plans goes as you wish, while making sure you and baby are safe and healthy.

Re: Please comment on this patient/doctor interaction:

That doctor is terrifying. I would have gotten up and left and been on the search for a new doctor.

Re: Please comment on this patient/doctor interaction:

Posted by sfp0701

I would run in the opposite direction from this doctor!

Re: Please comment on this patient/doctor interaction:

I would switch doctors (sorry if this was a real interaction with your doctor). I'm not anti c-section, but would not want a pro c-section doctor. I think they'd look at me & think

Re: Please comment on this patient/doctor interaction:

it sounds like its more convienient for them these days

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I wouls definitely question this doctor. When my doc asked me what kind of birth I wanted, and I told him I wanted to do everything I could BEFORE having to have a C-section, he agreed with me whole heartedly and told me that he would do everything in his power to deliver me naturally.

Re: Please comment on this patient/doctor interaction:

Ok, not for nothing, but our bodies were created to give birth, so how is thinking you're going to have a vaginal delivery an antiquated thought???? I would absolutely run from this doctor. I am all for c-sections if necessary (I had one), but that's ridiculous to say to a patient.

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I pretty much agree with all said. I would not be thrilled if one of my doctors say that me.

Re: Please comment on this patient/doctor interaction:

WOW That's crazy. Never heard anything like that.
I had a scheduled C/S (I wanted a C/S bc of a heart problem I have I was too scared to give birth naturally, plus I was told baby was measuring very big and I am a small girl) I asked for a C/S . I had to FIGHT for it with my OB/GYN and other drs at the hospital .They kept lecturing me and talking me out of it. Even though I had a note from my cardiologist . . . C/S is an extremely risky surgery and recovery is hell. Plus as someone already mentioned our bodies were made to give birth(or at least try).
I would def not want to deal with that dr and go see someone else.
BTW in my case once DD was born all the nurses and the dr were telling me that it was a good thing I had a C/S bc baby was too big for me and I would end up getting a C/S anyway.

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Re: Please comment on this patient/doctor interaction:

Message edited 5/2/2009 10:02:34 PM.

Re: Please comment on this patient/doctor interaction:

I'd run as far and as fast as I could! That doctor is c-section happy. Find a doctor who isn't so cut happy, and quickly.

The WHO says that no country's c-section rates should be higher than 15%. Ours is 30% and rising. I also love how this doctor didn't mention any of the real risks of a c-section, which is MAJOR SURGERY.

Re: Please comment on this patient/doctor interaction:

Posted by sfp0701

I would run in the opposite direction from this doctor!

Re: Please comment on this patient/doctor interaction:

Re: Please comment on this patient/doctor interaction:

ITA with some of the other posts.. sounds like the Dr is Pro C-Section....

Re: Please comment on this patient/doctor interaction:

I'd find another doctor. An OB should never be pro-c/s or even pro-v. They SHOULD be pro-patient. The delivery option should be tailored to the individual patient and their needs.

Re: Please comment on this patient/doctor interaction:

Another reason why we choose a Midwife...