Too many c-sections being performed in the US?

Just curious to see how people feel about this, and what your experience was like.

I did not have one, but SIL just did after laboring for 24 hours. She reached 10 cm's , pushed for 1 hour and then they went to a c-section. They told her the baby just wasn't coming down the birth canal and that this was the best way to go.

I also saw a news program last night about this issue and found it very interesting. 10 years ago c-sections accounted for 10% of births. It is now over 30% and becoming very commonplace. The threat of lawsuits makes doctors have to make tough calls during labor.

I do understand the need for a section in many cases, and would have no prob getting one if I were told it was needed. The health of the baby is most important!

Did anyone feel it was done unnecessarily? SIL is trying to get over it but keeps thinking that if they had just left her alone a little longer, it woudln't have been necessary.

Re: Too many c-sections being performed in the US?

I definitely feel that they are overdone which is why I chose midwives. In my situation I can almost guarantee had I used and OB I would have been induced and ended in a c section. I am so glad I made the choice I did and had the birth I wanted.

Re: Too many c-sections being performed in the US?

so funny, I just watched Birth Story the other night and they were recapping their 5 best stories.

One was baby Ivory. Her mom Ebony (NOT KIDDING here) had gestational diabetes AND pre-eclampsia. Doc knew it was a big baby and they still attempted to deliver vaginally. It was awful, the baby was stuck head out without oxygen for 4-5 MINUTES while the did everything to get her out. She almost died! The nurse was on the bed psuhing on her belly to know avail. They had to give her CPR when they finally popped her shoulder out and gave her shoulder dystocia...

Then the mother almost died due to her elevating BP and kidney failure...
Mom and daughter are fine but now little Ivory will never have all use in her arm...

I just saw no reason for that trauma...this is where C-sections are so vital.

Re: Too many c-sections being performed in the US?

I was very upset to find out that I had to have a c-section, but with a placenta previa there really is not other option.

As a general consideration, I'd want to know if there is a direct correlation between the rise in c-sections and the mortality rate of the same period. If there are the same number of births resulting in a healthy baby, then maybe they are not all unnecessary. I think it is hard to say b/c although I do feel like some are done for "convenience" (ie celebrities being able to plan their births around their schedules, etc) I do feel like some are done to have less traumatising births.

Re: Too many c-sections being performed in the US?

I think I would be upset if I had gotten to 10 cm and was pushing, and then needed a C. In my case, my water had been broken for three days and I still only dilated to 2 cm. I don't see how that could have ended in a natural birth and a healthy baby.

Re: Too many c-sections being performed in the US?

Re: Too many c-sections being performed in the US?

It's a hard question with a lot of grey lines. Are the number of c-sections up? Yes, it definitely seems that way. But I think the reason why is murky. I'm sure part of the reason is the doctor's inclination to reduce liability with high-risk pregnancies or labors. But, remember, there's a reason - many high risk deliveries end with trauma, so the intention here, is mainly good.

Also, keep in mind, pre-natal care is just unbelievable now. Babies are much healthier in the womb than they ever were, and this means longer pregnancies, and larger babies = more difficult deliveries. In my former life, I was an archaeologist, and I remember reading a book theorizing how the female form isn't evolving quickly enough to keep up with the evolving human brain. Put more simply - part of our evolution as humans is the an ever-increasing brain capacity, which gives us a bigger head, making birth quite difficult if the female body doesn't adapt.

I had a c-section, and am thoroughly convinced that if I gave birth 200 years ago, both myself and Alex would have died. I wanted to have a natural, medicine-free birth, and my doctor granted my wish as far as it would go, by allowing me to labor (with back labor - ouch!) for 18 UNMEDICATED hours. But, Alex was lodged in such a way that she would have never come out.

Re: Too many c-sections being performed in the US?

Re: Too many c-sections being performed in the US?

I got to 10 cm..pushed for 3 HOURS and needed a c section!

In my case, I think they waited TOO LONG to decide to give me one. It was obvious the baby wasnt dropping..I never dropped and when I was pushing there were no signs of her at all. I think they were trying to see if she would come down but after 3 hours of PAINFUL pushing..it was obvious. I think it was obvious before that. But thats just my experience.

Re: Too many c-sections being performed in the US?

I labored for 16 hours, was fully dilated, pushed for an hour and ended up with a c-section. The baby was just not moving, her head was lodged in a funny position. I am so glad I had a c-section though, I was in unbearable pain with back labor to the point where I was vomitting.

Was it unnecessary? I don't know but I do know that childbirth used to be the number one cause of death for women and while it may be natural not all women are meant to or will survive labor.

Re: Too many c-sections being performed in the US?

A friend of mine and I were due at the same time( many years ago) I was shocked then when she told me she had elected and her Dr. agreed to her request for a c-section! SHe didn't want to intefere with some plans she had the week she was actually due!

Message edited 6/19/2007 12:12:55 PM.

Re: Too many c-sections being performed in the US?

I do believe in c/s when medically necessary. My son was breech and I would never attempt to have had him any other way... I do not believe in them just to avoid labor and doing all necessary planning. The issue with repeat c/s I am torn on, because while I had a VBAC, I do see the concern with wanting to go c/s again. I have no problems with that.

However, when it came time for my second child, I did lots of research and didn't want to resort myself to having another c/s just because my first was. I am happy to have a doctor who did not push a repeat c/s. I hope more woman consider VBAC in the future

Re: Too many c-sections being performed in the US?

I had a c-section, and am thoroughly convinced that if I gave birth 200 years ago, both myself and Alex would have died. I wanted to have a natural, medicine-free birth, and my doctor granted my wish as far as it would go, by allowing me to labor (with back labor - ouch!) for 18 UNMEDICATED hours. But, Alex was lodged in such a way that she would have never come out.


Almost same situation here. I had a doula and took the bradley method class and I labored unmedicated all of Monday evening and Tuesday (light labor). By tueday night I was in hard labor and by Wednesday evening I was almost delirious in pain. I was stuck at 7cm and Dr. said it just wasn't happening. I ended up with a c-section and he said I probably would've died 200 years ago and so would've Matty- he was just stuck and had never decended down- a midwife wouldn't have been able to turn him either because he was still up high.

Re: Too many c-sections being performed in the US?

I don't think they are at all. I know with my Dr's they induced me for 3 days to avoid the c-section but one of my sons needed to come out ASAP since he was not gaining any weight and the other one was gaining.

They could have easily just scheduled me but they wanted to have a v-birth if that was what I wanted.

I think that people may be making the choice to have a c if it is available to them since people know more about them, but I don't think they are being made available for the wrong reasons.

I was told from the get go if I wanted a c-section I could have it since they didn't want me to deliver one and then have a c-section for the other which is very common place wih twins.

Re: Too many c-sections being performed in the US?

this is a touchy subject for me as i am so opposed to doctor interfernce in labor....the reason c sections are up to 30%? statistics show it has a lot to do with inductions when that poor baby is just NOT READY YET, and dr inter. as far as medicine and epidurals and pitocin etc etc etc....God wouldnt have built women for labor if it was something that needed doctors and was so dangerous....my sister has 6 kids, 3 were born home and one of those was born without a midwife, just her and her husband and the serenity of home at 6am with the sun rising over the lake...bc i had her, i was able to know NOT to go to the hospital too early (these poor women that go too early and are there for 26 hours!! that is just torchure....and that has intereference all over it....women are probly so darn tired and just want the baby out....)....i was lucky enough to get to the hospital and an hour later have hannah....labored at home for 6 hours, got to the hospital at 7cm....

i just think women should be mroe educated and know that their labors and births dont have to have epidurals and c sections written all over them....

and not to knock anyone that has had a cs....sometimes they really are necessary....but think of the situation up to the c section.............

Re: Too many c-sections being performed in the US?

Posted by sumlynmad

this is a touchy subject for me as i am so opposed to doctor interfernce in labor....the reason c sections are up to 30%? statistics show it has a lot to do with inductions when that poor baby is just NOT READY YET, and dr inter. as far as medicine and epidurals and pitocin etc etc etc....God wouldnt have built women for labor if it was something that needed doctors and was so dangerous....my sister has 6 kids, 3 were born home and one of those was born without a midwife, just her and her husband and the serenity of home at 6am with the sun rising over the lake...bc i had her, i was able to know NOT to go to the hospital too early (these poor women that go too early and are there for 26 hours!! that is just torchure....and that has intereference all over it....women are probly so darn tired and just want the baby out....)....i was lucky enough to get to the hospital and an hour later have hannah....labored at home for 6 hours, got to the hospital at 7cm....

i just think women should be mroe educated and know that their labors and births dont have to have epidurals and c sections written all over them....

and not to knock anyone that has had a cs....sometimes they really are necessary....but think of the situation up to the c section.............

Re: Too many c-sections being performed in the US?

I think a lot of c-sections are unnecessary and for the doctor's convenience.

I aso believe all the interventions (pitocin, epidural, cervadil, being strapped to your bed) inhibit the natural proccess of labor and can lead to complications that would have been avoided otherwise.

Re: Too many c-sections being performed in the US?

Re: Too many c-sections being performed in the US?

Re: Too many c-sections being performed in the US?

Posted by Bxgell2

Posted by sumlynmad

this is a touchy subject for me as i am so opposed to doctor interfernce in labor....the reason c sections are up to 30%? statistics show it has a lot to do with inductions when that poor baby is just NOT READY YET, and dr inter. as far as medicine and epidurals and pitocin etc etc etc....God wouldnt have built women for labor if it was something that needed doctors and was so dangerous....my sister has 6 kids, 3 were born home and one of those was born without a midwife, just her and her husband and the serenity of home at 6am with the sun rising over the lake...bc i had her, i was able to know NOT to go to the hospital too early (these poor women that go too early and are there for 26 hours!! that is just torchure....and that has intereference all over it....women are probly so darn tired and just want the baby out....)....i was lucky enough to get to the hospital and an hour later have hannah....labored at home for 6 hours, got to the hospital at 7cm....

i just think women should be mroe educated and know that their labors and births dont have to have epidurals and c sections written all over them....

and not to knock anyone that has had a cs....sometimes they really are necessary....but think of the situation up to the c section.............

Like I said in my prior post, women's bodies aren't necessarily equipped to give birth to babies with ever-increasing bodies and heads. Our evolution is catching up with us, as babies are born healthier, and heavier. I do not believe that the increasing rates of c-sections have to do with women who are uneducated and going to the hospital too early. I also think that waiting at home too long, or, alternatively, giving birth at home, is beyond risky.

Re: Too many c-sections being performed in the US?

While c-sections can be wonderful life savers for both mom and baby, there are plenty of cases when c-sections are performed because the Dr is afraid of a law suit or is just plain lazy. Unfortunately, so many women are eager to agree with whatever the doctor tells them to do simply because they fail to do some very basic research and prepare themselves for birth.

I have noticed that older women, especially if pregnant with twins, who had issues conceiving are routinely scheduled for c-section without any questions and of course, after going through years of infertility treatments and heartache, and being afraid to death of any complications, they happily agree.

Breached babies are also immediately scheduled for csection. How women 30 years ago had breached babies without any problems remains a mystery.
Perhaps I should ask my own mom. I know I was breached and she had a regular natural and complications free birth.

Also, anyone pregnant with twins is for some reason considered high risk and automatically becomes a C-section case.

My sister has a friend who is currently pregnant with twins. She is 27 years old, very healthy, in good shape, conceived naturally without any issues, both babies are perfectly fine. In fact, she is currently on bed rest BECAUSE her cervix is starting to open ahead of schedule which clearly indicates that her body is ready to go through birth on it's own. However, she is scheduled to have a c-section. Why? Nobody knows! Most likely because she has more then one baby to birth and it can get timely and inconvenient for the Dr.

Message edited 6/19/2007 1:37:39 PM.

Re: Too many c-sections being performed in the US?

Re: Too many c-sections being performed in the US?

Most doctors that I personally know do not take induction lightly (although i am sure there are many that do). I was induced because my blood pressure began to creep up and was beginning to show signs of pre-e.

Often, many doctors will not induce until you go past your date. Going past your due date carries its own risks (i.e. low amniotic fluid, cord compression, meconium aspiration). So as with many things it is always a balancing of risks. For me personally, when striking that balance I always err on the side of safety. I feel that medical intervention is there for a reason.

Re: Too many c-sections being performed in the US?

I haven't had a baby yet but I just read a very interesting book called Misconceptions(I forget the author but sure you can find it on Amazon.) First the way hospitals have you labor on yoru back, in a bed i snot natural-better is to stand or kneel and work with gravity. Read the book if this topic is of interest to you-it is a real eye opener. Also another reason for higher C-sect. rates is with assisted reproduction there are more multiples and chances of one of both babies being breech.

Re: Too many c-sections being performed in the US?