After reading the above linked Washington Post article I was truly disgusted. The true reason why Vaginal Birth after Caesarean (VBAC) is not being allowed by some medical practices and hospitals has nothing to do with malpractice increases or safety issues. The risk of death to the mother is 2 to 4 times greater by C-Section than by a vaginal delivery.
Oh, yes the supposed feared "Uterine Rupture", (not to be mistaken with a Uterine Rapture) there is a 1% risk of that happening in a VBAC. In the 1% of cases there is a rupture death is very rare, much lower than the risk of a C-Section.
So why are these doctors and hospitals forcing women to following this stupid "Once a Caesarean Always a Caesaren" motto? Because it's easier for them. The mostly male OBYGN's who don't have to closely monitor the woman in labor and can schedule the delivery around their schedule. Given the actual statistics? Anyone who buys the theory that it is because of increased malpractice rates from a VBAC has done no research. It amazed me that the Washington Post did such a sloppy job on this article.
Why does this bother me so much? I've lived this. I was in labor with my son for 72 hours with pains 3 minutes apart. Then he started to go into stress so an emergency C-Section was done to save his life. (1982) I have no problem with that. When I got pregnant with Emily the OBYGN told me - the once a C-section always a C-section mantra. I could not find a doctor that did not feel this way (This was in 1985) so I scheduled my C-section feeling frustrated but my only other option was to have my baby at home with a midwife and I wasn't that daring at that time period. Next Megan (1987) a new OBYGN who told me it might be possible for me to try to have a "normal" delivery. Everything looked great and then at the very end Megan turned breech. The doctor would not allow a VBAC breech delivery and the medical standards did not allow him to try to attempt to turn her due to the supposed increase chance of Uterine rupture. So another C-Section. Then Erin (1989) same OBYGN, who said there was still a chance I could deliver "normally". Right at the very end Erin turned breech. I thought okay here we go again. However the standards for attempting to turn a baby called an external version had changed a bit. So he opted to try to turn her (it sounds painful but it wasn't). Erin turned, I had my "normal" delivery. It was awesome. The nursing staff thought I was crazy because after she was born I remarked it was fun. It was fun compared to the extra bs you have to go thru with a C-Section. It was a big deal at Toledo hopsital when she was born, people would walk by my hospital room and you would hear them say "She had a VBAC after three sections"; "Yes, this is the VBAC". I lost the twins next, both of them were born vaginally. Then in 1995 and Aubrey, again breech (Yes, this has reinforced my belief that my daughters are stubborn) Same doctor, same scenario he tried to turn Aubrey with the external version and she would not budge. So I ended up with my last and final C-Section.
Since 1995 things should be better not worse for mothers who have gone thru a C-Section. As my history demonstrates there are times when it is necessary. However, there are times when it is not. It should be my choice and given the less chance of risks along with the much preferred recovery time after a Vaginal Birth it is pure economics and the preference of these doctors and hospitals not mother's safety or even their babies safety. Not to mention a mother who has a C-Section will have a longer hospital stay which makes the hospitals more money.
Once a Cesarean always a Cesarean may make financial sense for those looking for a larger profit but it should not take away the right of a woman to decide how she wants her own child to be born.
11 comments:
ajax,
The original is at Here
Then I took both black strips cut them out, used a graphic program that had transparency and made them gray using 40% transparency. (You could make them any color as long as you have a graphics program that will let you paint with a transparency effect). It's easier to cut them out than it is to try to paint a color in the background, you don't have to be so precise with your brush strokes. Then I reput the image strips back into the picture. Then? I sharpened the image to make it seem a bit brighter.
I would have just had the type on both sides the same but felt it might be hard for some of my readers so I added the gray block on the left column to make it easier for them to read while still keeping the effect I wanted.
It took awhile to get it all to cooperate but? It was worth it, thanks for the compliment and if you need any more info I'll try my best to help.
:-)
Wow, Lisa! I didn't know that myth was still being used. I know I was born c-section based on that mentality, but that was 26 years ago. I thought "everybody" knew the research didn't support that any more. Hmm.
I do have one question that is somehow important to me. When you said you "lost" the twins, was that a typo?
No, Stephanie lost wasn't a typo, both boys died in uetero. I knew there were some possible medical concerns early on and was advised to consider an abortion. I don't write about them very often but, it just didn't seem right to list all of my births and not count them.
I have heard the same thing from other women, Lisa.
Many people are afraid to question their doctors, but physicians are just as capable as the rest of us of being biased.
That is so true Mike, there was a time I was afraid to question as well. My doctors today may feel it is unfortunate but? I no longer feel that way. I just have a major problem with this being marketed as being to "protect" us when the reality is quite different.
:-)
Thanks for the openness in personal illustration. It added real power to your argument.
We were fortunate with my Wonder Woman's first delivery—our Lovely Daughter—that it was in a teaching hospital and our Dr was someone who had been a nurse=practitioner for years before going back to school. Great openness to dialog.
The next time, I had to take a whip hand to the doctor we had (in another state/city) because he was one of those who walked in with (metaphorical) blinders on and earplugs in—the best of what was IMO a bad lot...
Doctors come in all flavors just like people, though my experience has tended toward meeting doctors with seriously inflated egos. Still, when we really needed to find a good one (honestly open, with functioning ears—heh—like my wife's cardiologist these last seven years), we've been able to.
Birthing decisions based on a non child bearing doctor's perceptions (and convenience) seems somewhat flawed to me.
A second or third opinion seems called for, along with a careful of the stats behind the perceived biases.
Thanks David, and HT, exactly...There are always going to be times when a C-Section is necessary. There are going to be mothers that should not try labor but it should be based on an informed decision not one based on untrue stats designed to scare mothers into believing they are endangering their own lives and the lives of their children. I dealt with that back in 1985 when I dared to ask why I had to have a repeat C-Section. Medical science should be way beyond that 20 years later. My days of having babies is of course over but our daughters? Deserve better.
:-)
You have my deepest sympathies, Lisa. It's is never easy to loose children.
Having my step-son die at age five was in many ways harder than what happened with the twins. I knew there was a chance they would not make it or would be born with problems. I opted to take the risk because I felt it was worth it even though my doctors didn't agree with me. I did not want to go thru life wondering if the doctors were wrong since they have been wrong in my quite a few times. That's one of the reasons I have my opinion on abortion, I feel it should be available for situations like mine was. I realize not everyone would make the same decision I did. Heck, my family didn't even support me on that one. I don't have any regrets though.
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