Reasons For a C-Section

Women all over the country are given many reasons for a c-section. To prove this fact the c-section rate in this country has steadily been climbing and is now well over 30%.

The facts are that there are only a few valid reasons for a cesarean. Moreover, according to the World Health Organization - WHO - the cesarean rate should NEVER be over 15% and in fact should be between 5 and 10%.

Also according to the WHO, although our medical system saves more severely premature babies than any other country, you are 70% more likely to die in childbirth in the United States than in Europe!

The best outcome occurs in countries in which OBGYNs only attend very high risk pregnancies and the rest of the mothers receive the care of a midwife and where...HOMEBIRTH is encouraged! For example, in the Netherlands - which ranks first - up to 1/3 of the births occur at home with virtually no interventions at all!

In the rare cases where a c-section is warranted, it is life saving but make no mistake it is major abdominal surgery which carries increased risks to you as well as your baby. A c-section should only be performed when the benefits outweigh the risks.

So you may be wondering by now what are valid reasons for a c-section? You have asked a great question, which we will answer.

True Reasons for a C-Section

These are true reasons for a c-section as these situtation can be life threatening.

Prolapsed cord:

This is when your baby's umbilical cord comes out into the birth canal first before your baby's head. This is a true emergency as your baby's head will compress the cord and therefore cut off his own oxygen supply. The lack of oxygen - also called birth asphyxia - can lead to severe brain damage or death if this problem is not taken care of within minutes.

In this case, an emergency c-section is life saving.

However, a prolapsed cord is not a common occurrence especial when you are left to start labor on your own and your baby's bag of water is left intact.

According to various studies, the incidence of a cord prolapse is between 0.14% and 0.62%. However, as we have mentioned before, it is more likely to occur when labor is forced through induction and rupture of the bag of water before your baby - and your body - are ready.

Placenta abruptio:

This is when your placenta separates prematurely from the wall of your uterus. This leads to hemorrhage and can lead to death.

Some think - and have demonstrated - that this is less likely in well fed mothers.

Placenta previa:

This occurs when your placenta partially or completely covers your cervix. Read more...

Placenta accreta:

This occurs when your placenta embeds too strongly into the wall of your uterus. Read more...

Fetal malpresentation:

Transverse lie

Breech

Note: If those malpresentations occur before labor, a lot of "things" can be done to try to turn your baby...moreover, a breech can sometimes be delivered vaginally with a competent attendant.

Cephalopelvic disproportion - CPD:

This is when your baby's head is too large to fit through your pelvis.

Note: This is often over diagnosed. The likelihood of CPD is also greater by wrong maternal positioning resulting from mothers being constrained to their beds, the inability to move (restriction of movement) and the use of anesthetics.

Moreover, the WHO says ALL women should be given a trial of labor as no one nor any machinery can predict ahead of time whether your baby will fit through your pelvis or not...

...for no one can predict how much your pelvis will spread and how much your baby's head will mold.

NOTE: Squatting during labor will open your pelvis by more than 30%!!!

Maternal medical reasons for a c-section:

Active herpes lesions

Severe hypertension

Pre-eclampsia

Diabetes

Note: Having one of these conditions does not always mean a c-section...educate yourself.

Physicians' Reasons for a C-Section

In 2008, on a board for medical professionals, an OBGYN wrote down his reasons for a c-section:

Reason number 1: fear of litigation

Indeed OBGYNs say that they do not get sued for performing c-sections but for not doing them.

Reason number 2: convenience

With a c-section, it is easier to manage patients and it maximizes profits.

Reason number 3: reimbursement

A c-section brings in more revenue. Sadly, this is a cold hard fact.

Reason number 4: patient satisfaction

Yes, it is true...there are women out there that want a c-section. That way they can plan their life or they can just avoid childbirth. Indeed there are women terrified of having a vaginal birth. We wonder if these women are aware that the risks to themselves and to their babies are much greater with a c-section?

Reason number 5: inductions

It is a fact that inductions create the need for more c-sections. For more information about why this may be the case read articles about the effects of Pitocin and Cytotec on labor, women and their babies.

Reason number 6: poor management of labor

It is also a fact that interventions - no matter how small and trivial they may seem - breed more interventions. Therefore every intervention is a step closer to a c-section.

We are certain that you noticed this physician DID NOT mention "to save the life of the mother" nor "to save the life of the baby."

A report published in 2008 by Teflen confirmed that doctors practice now what is called "defensive medicine." The defensive part does not refer to something that is beneficial to you but to THEM...they are afraid of being sued and act accordingly to our detriments and that of our babies.

More food for thought, in her book "Pushed" Jennifer Block mentions a certain Dr. Kenneth Trofatter - a perinatologist in Greenville (South Carolina). In 2006, Dr. Trofatter is quoted to have said to a local newspaper:

Ms. Block goes on to say that in peer reviewed journals, other doctors have actually stated that "it might actually be advisable" for all births to occur through c-section!

More Information on C-Section

History of cesarean section

Cesarean complications

The risks to your baby

The c-section procedure

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