September 5, 2007 4:09 PM
Caesareans up, surrender down
In Alcoholics Anonymous - where I learned a lot about the evils of selfishness years before I became a Christian - we shared one of those catch-phrases that saved us loads of time by helping us tune in quickly to a phenomenon we were all struggling to overcome, a phenomenon that led us to irrational choices and behaviors.
We called it Self-Will Run Riot.
I got sober in 1980 (although I've had bouts of struggling with drugs and alcohol since then). But sometimes I think I could write a book: Everything I Learned About How to Identify Self-Centered Thinking in My Own Life and Others, I Learned in AA.
It was in that spirit that I read the following article and just couldn't believe the lengths people would go to to take the reins from God to control EVERY aspect of their lives.
Birth date not always up to baby
Maybe it should have been titled Birth date not always up to God. In light of the discussion we've been having here about birth control, I offer this as just more evidence of where the slippery slope of taking control of things that used to be up to God leads.
Also in the news lately: Maternal deaths are up in this country because of Cesareans - and increasing obesity - not because of medical inadequacies, but simply because of
Self-Will Run Riot.
Posted in Current Affairs, Health, Pro-Life Issues | Permalink
Comments
I think if women were better educated about C-sections, few would have them for nonmedical reasons. I had a C-section 2 years ago, and I'm still recovering from it.
At about the 1 year mark after my C-section, I was in such pain by the end of the day, I had to sit or lay down in the evenings. Today, I still have intermittent pain from the C-section, mostly around the time I menstruate.
As with all abdominal surgeries, the risk of adhesions (where scar tissue bonds with organs) is high with a C-section. That means sitting down, standing up, or picking something up can be extremely painful. Every woman I know who's had a C-section has at least some long-term pain from adhesions.
Stretching has helped me, but hasn't relieved my pain entirely. Surgery is an option, but usually doesn't work. I will probably continue to have pain for many years to come.
C-sections hurt. So if you want one because you think it will help you avoid the pain of child birth, think again. Also talk to your doctor about the risks to your baby, and the risks to any other children you might have afterward.
Kristina
P.S. I'm still glad I had my C-section, because in our case, it almost certainly saved our daughter's life.
Posted by: Kristina | September 5, 2007 4:51 PM
I find it interesting that, while they do include a few quotes about the increased risk to mother & baby and the pain of recovery, the overall impression is one of two roughly equivalent choices. "You can't have a vaginal birth without some trauma. You can't have a C-section without some trauma." Well, um, sort-of true, but you can have a vaginal birth with almost no trauma, whereas that's just not possible with a C-section. My recovery from my daughter's birth was fairly quick, except for the episiotomy; my recovery from my son's birth was very, very fast, and I can definitely say that waking up the next morning, I was more comfortable and able to move around more easily than I had been my last day pregnant. I've never seen anyone recovering from a C-section -- or any other major abdominal surgery -- who could say anything like that. I wish these articles were a bit more honest about the differences. I'd much rather have my pain during childbirth than after, when I have a baby to get to know and love and care for.
Newt
Posted by: Newt Sherwin | September 5, 2007 5:43 PM
having a C-section for non-medical reasons is lunacy in my opinion.It's major abdominal surgery and is certainly not risk free.
Barbara you mentioned the mums wanting to control things by choosing non- medical C-sections, I agree with that.
I would also suggest that there are many surgeons are over keen on doing C-sections as it puts them in control, rather than alowing labour to develop in due time.
Posted by: Sheena | September 5, 2007 5:49 PM
Frankly, I am always shocked by women who choose c-sections for non-medical reasons. Also inductions -- I think many women do not realize what a nightmare the drug pitocin is! During my first labor I was given pitocin because my labor was "not progressing." (I have my doubts about this.) It was horrible; the sudden excruciating pain immediately broke my will to go without an epidural. Then, because the epidural was done incorrectly, I had to have a c-section. The recovery from a c-section is not only painful, but incredibly frustrating as you are limited in caring for your own newborn. I recall being unable to even sit up while holding my son.
However, one of the worse parts about having a c-section is that many doctors will not allow even a trial VBAC for subsequent births, and those who will place all kinds of conditions on you (for example, no choice not to have an epidrual.) Don't expect to even be allowed to try a real natural birth after a c-section. I couldn't even get a midwife to see me, and was only able to homebirth by doing it completely on my own (with my husband.)
IMO, induction and c-sections are tools best left to those who actually need them for real medical reasons.
Posted by: Michelle Potter | September 5, 2007 6:13 PM
I STILL feel bad about having to be induced with my son three years ago, but my doctors were afraid that I'd have a stroke if they didn't induce.
This pregnancy, with medicines, I am getting along just fine and my doctor says that I can deliver spontaneously like the millions of women before me.
Something else that wasn't mentioned in this article: you can't have a large family in you have C-sections; a friend of mine told me that her doctor will only perform three on one woman.
Now THAT'S unfortunate.
Posted by: Nicci | September 5, 2007 6:13 PM
I had 2 c-sections...both emergency. My first, my daughter, was breech presentation with ruptured membranes and meconium. She had to come out immediately.
With my son, I attempted VBAC, but he was "sunny-side up" and his heart decelerations were COMPLETE - as in, they could not find a rate, even with a scalp monitor. I begged to avoid a c-section, but had no say.
And God's hand was there - because as they began the c-section, my son's elbow ruptured my uterus. Had I not been on the table, we both would have died.
That being said - c-sections DID save my chidrens' lives...BUT...I would NEVER, EVER, WILLINGLY submit to one. They hurt, they are not natural, and as Kristina said, adhesions are the norm. I had uterine adhesions to the bladder, which caused untold issues. I had to have a hysterectomy 8 months ago. It was the SCAR from the incisions that adhered to my bladder...nothing else.
Posted by: Linda | September 5, 2007 7:08 PM
working as a nurse in the maternal-child field and birthing 4 of my own babies myself, i am always surprised and shocked when i hear a young pregnant woman state she is having a planned c section because she doesn't want to deal with the pain of labor...so recovering from an abdominal incision and surgical procedure would be less painful? i have seen too many mamas deal with coping with post-op pain issues after a c-section to really get this one.
Posted by: laura | September 5, 2007 7:45 PM
I would be very interested in that book. I think our culture is very self indulgent, and that we believe we are entitled and proud to be so.
As far as birth, I think many women are just terrified of birth and are willing to take any avenue to circumvent that. My first birth, in a hospital, was horrible and took weeks to recover from. The second was an unmedicated water birth, and was actually less painful WITHOUT MEDS! And I was able to go to the bathroom all by myself afterward (in fact I think that's the last time I ever did go to the bathroom by myself, hmmmmm...)! I'm now a huge advocate of natural birth, especially water birth (done in an actual birthing tub, not just any ol' water). I wish women could get over their fear, but the only way to do that is to experience it.
Posted by: Marie | September 5, 2007 7:47 PM
General birth practice, attitudes, and outcomes in this country are terrible, given all of the resources we have. Looking at birth wholistically, we -- OB's included-- are SO ignorant of what we are messing with and affecting when we alter God's design for the whole process, in all of its intricacy and nuance. Modern obstetrics, while it certainly has some value, has far too much to do with tradition, myths, convenience, fear, control, a disease model... (Ugh. I have a good amount of professional experience with birth, and this is quite a nerve!) Yes, I agree. It is all definitely aided powerfully by "self-will run riot".
Posted by: marian | September 5, 2007 7:53 PM
I think fear motivates many of these women who opt for a c-section for non-medical reasons. It breaks my heart that they risk so much. They do not know the power of a mighty God.
I would love to have experienced part of that miracle allowed us females...to push our babies out of our bodies, but I was only ever able to have c-sections...and I thank God for that, as I would have died in childbirth without them.
As for having small families due to c-sections, it really isn't up to the doctor. There are many out there who will do multiple c-sections (and many who won't--I agree). I personally know a woman who had 8, and heard of another who had an unbelievable 13!
I had a modest 7, myself. :)
God is good!
Posted by: Julia | September 5, 2007 7:54 PM
This is one of my hot buttons!
C-sections are HARD, painful and more often than not unnecessary! I have known many women who have been convinced to have c-sections by doctors scaring them with their "risk assessments" - ie the baby is too big, overdue, or in stress or the mother is too small, too old, too many pregnancies & so on. Yes there are times when c-sections are necessary but I believe they can often be avoided.
I have had 7 sweet babies - 2 by c-section (#1 & #4). This last pregnancy I was harassed at every doctor appointment to "sign up" for a c-section. They told me that I and the baby were at risk for about EVERYTHING! I was "old" - AMA Advanced Maternal Age is how they worded it to be politically correct (I was not old at 44...pleeeease!). I was a grand multi-paras (sounds like a drink at Starbucks)which means I've had more than 5 pregnancies. (Barbara...you are a GREAT grand multi-paras..I would love that title!). I had hypertension (under control mind you). I had 2 previous c-sections making me, according to the experts a prime candidate for a rupture (never mind that I had already successfully had 2 V-BACS and my last c-section was 12 years ago!. I was "at risk" for a still born baby (simply because I was over 40? How riduculous...the increase is 3x but still only .06% - I wouldn't call that a risk) Last but not least I was 8 days overdue. (oh my...8 whole days! sarcasm & rolling of the eyes)
It was never ending & honestly exhausting! I had to sign multiple forms including "refusal of treatment" and "refusal to comply with doctors advice". I was made to seem like a horrible, ignorant & even rebellious person for not just agreeing to a c-section.
Well low & behold...I was right! My sweet baby was born vaginally (8 days "late"...but in Gods perfect time) with no complications & neither of us suffered any of the horrendous things we were told we should fear. I suppressed the great urge to say "I told you so" at my post partum appointment..but I wanted to! :)
Ok, I could go on & on and give you a whole other monologue about letting God be in control but this A.M.A. grand multi-paras, VBAC, High Risk Woman needs to go lactate. (or rather this young at heart, loving Mommy of many, needs to sit down & enjoy nursing the sweetest baby boy in the world!)
As a very proud Mommy, I can't help but tell you that you can see photos of this ADORABLE baby at -http://bethlambdin.wordpress.com/2007/09/03/the-apple-of-his-eye/
Blessings!
Beth
Posted by: Beth Lambdin | September 5, 2007 11:34 PM
I heard of this story before and (commented there too) I thought it was interesting that an increased number of abortions doesn't seem to be included as a reason for increased mortality.
It is obviously kosher to bash C-sections (and their risks) as done too often for "convenience" rather than necessity, but no mention of a similar situation with abortion.
Posted by: Amy Jane | September 6, 2007 12:30 AM
Thank you, Beth, for your encouraging story! I am expecting my 7th on Christmas Day, and I have been pestered for the past couple of babies to be induced, which statistics show, leads to c-section on many occasions. It is wearisome to constantly tell the dr. "no" when it is made clear that to say "yes" (to induction) would make his life so much simpler. I am continuing to stand my ground, though. Thank you, again, for your encouragement.
Posted by: Connie | September 6, 2007 12:03 PM
Hey Barbara,
I have a friend who gets to schedule the birth of her baby by c-section. This is so strange to me. That's really all I want to say.
Shannon :)
Posted by: Shannon Best | September 6, 2007 2:35 PM
I realize you aren't talking about emergency c-sections. My sixth baby was born via emergency c-section due to a prolasped cord. The choice was c-section or dead baby (I was only dilated to four at the time and her heartrate was below 100).
I never want another c-section. I think women are nuts for chosing a c-section out of fear or for convenience. The recovery was far more painful and lengthy than after my five previous vaginal deliveries. My baby will be a year old on Saturday and my incision is still numb in spots. And it get sharp pains on the right side.
Women who opt for c-sections for iffy reasons have no clue what they are setting themselves up for. They don't understand the very real risks. ANY time you slice seven layers of the human body, things can go awfully wrong. Maybe not at that moment, but in the future.
My incision got infected, which led to antibiotics. That led to thrush in the baby and I, which led to extremely painful nursing and decreased supply. Our nursing relationship, which started off really well despite the c-section, suffered greatly. Just because a c-section goes well, complications you never dreamed of can arise weeks or even months down the road.
C-sections are linked with all kinds of female health issues, from secondary infertility to miscarriages.
Posted by: mopsy | September 6, 2007 7:32 PM
I would like to say first that my OB is great. He was the one that figured out that I needed progesterone to help my pregnancies continue along. Before that I had lost several babies to miscarriage.
Now, about C-sections. I have had 5. My first child was born natural. It hurt like crazy. But it does not hurt as much as having a c-section. The pain is not only physical, it is emotional. Granted some people have horrible natural births but I was not one of them. With my first c-section my daughter was breech and she was BIG. My doctor said that we could wait but we may end up having a section if she was still breech. After having so many miscarriages, I was not going to try for a natural birth. I was only 23 and didn't know anything. What I didn't do really, is put my trust in God. For my second section, my dr told me that if I want to try for a vaginal, lets try but if I decided to do a section that sealed my fate with having sections for the rest of my pregnancies. My third daughter was breech too so I figured might as well go ahead and have another section. Well, it did seal my fate and with my fourth child, my son, it was the worse section I had. No one tells you that epidural hurts like crazy (at least with me they do, partly due to scoliosis). I felt completely out of control of having my children. And with my fourth, the anesthesiologist gave me drugs that put me in a state of mind that I thought I was dying. It scared me like nothing else. Now, my fifth child, fourth section was great, mostly due to the fact I had a great nurse and they have a new drug that takes the place of a epidural. It was the best birth by far. Something I learned with my sixth child is about the scarring. I had placenta previa. I learned that I was fortunate that I was able to have so many sections. Some women handle them well, some don't. While I am able to handle the pain well (I have a high pain tolerance with my surgeries), the psychological issues were terrifying. To be there cut open for the world to see, knowing on the other side of that sheet my stomach is hanging open, really messed with my head. I could smell the skin burning and hear the staples going in. To not be able to get up and pick up my babies drove me crazy. It is not like the nurses have all the free time in the world and can come as soon as you call! On top of all this, if you get a dr who is not in tune with your needs, things can seriously go wrong. Thankfully, I had a dr who was there for me. He let me make my own decisions and it is not his fault that I didn't know then what I know now. If I could do it all over again and know that my babies would come out fine, I would have natural births. But, less anyone thinks that women who have c-sections are lesser woman than they are, I suggest that you have one and then rethink your position. I only state this because it has been implied several times to me that women who have sections are lesser, as if they can't handle the pain. As someone said earlier, both have pain but I would rather deal with it before baby came.
Posted by: Christian Faith | September 6, 2007 8:38 PM
My first was born the traditional way, but it was a seriously complicated and traumatic birth. Truly that first birth was the most challening one I experienced. My next two were born by c-section.
With baby #1 My dream, my plan had been to have as natural of a birth as possible. I was so irritated when my doctor suggested an epidural, but I did feel so much better after I had it. Because that birth went on to be so complicated, a c-section was recommended for my next delivery. A second doctor, who is a Christian, said that he thought that for me that was probably the best route to go. I was so disappointed as my dreams of my ideal birth shattered.
C-sections are not ideal, I would never suggest choosing one just for convenience. The recovery is not very convenient! But, I am so thankful, for the children I have. I do not feel traumatized by my the births of my children. I question the wisdom of birthing more children because of the risks and possible complications, but we can always adopt again if our family is to be expanded. We have one child by adoption already.
Most important to remember is that a birth is a birth-whether it is natural or surgical. Yes, women, if you can birth natually, and that is the majority of women, then DO IT! Do not choose a c-section if you don't need one. But, if a c-section is your option for having a family, then praise God for the medical technology that allows that option! Do not let fear guide you! There can be so much fear for women who have to have c-sections-trust me I know the unique fears of both types of deliveries, God is still soverign, even when your birth plan flies out the window! God is still in control when you have a surgical birth. Rest in Him if that is the only option you have. Do not spend time in despair over a birth. Give your fears, regrets, pains to God. Trust that no matter how your children arrived, God can heal any physical and emotional pain. For women who have to have a c-section, God can protect you from emotional scars! He is bigger than any circumstances we face!
Posted by: heather | September 8, 2007 5:47 PM
I think there are very few women who could be given any of the blame for unnecessary c-sections. Maybe those who want them for reasons of vanity, perhaps. Even those who do it with the idea of avoiding pain are under a false assumption and have been lied to. One can hardly fault them.
But as someone said, they are presented as equal in safety and recovery to natural birth. And they are pushed *hard* even when complications are only slightly possible statistically speaking, and not probable. I know because twice I have avoided c-sections only by the grace of God and some serious stubbornness. I was told that I could never deliver my huge babies naturally, and even after I delivered a 10 pounder with a precipitous and easy labor, my next pregnancy I was told that if I did not submit to induction or c-section, my baby was very likely to die, or I was likely to sustain serious injury delivering him. The reason--he was estimated to be over 10 pounds. Thank God I knew enough to resist and after weeks of pressure I finally got the doctor to admit that her real concern was *her* legal liability, not my ability to give birth (which had already been tested and proven just fine!). I had another 4 hour labor and 1 stitch. One stitch folks! 10.5 lb baby. And how many women have lacked the knowledge or confidence to go against their doctor and suffered instead major abdominal surgery for no reason at all?! Unassisted childbirth sounds better and better after incidents like these.
Posted by: Margaret | September 10, 2007 5:34 PM
