I have MANY reasons that I do not want to have a repeat C-Section with this baby. Many of my family and friends do not understand, so I am going to do my best to educate from my point of view. By no means could I state all the facts and reasoning here, but I just would like everyone to know that I have done the research, and a cesarean is NOT safe for mom or baby. It is safer to have a VBAC than a repeat C-Section, must to the disbelief of most Americans. I find it sad that most expectant parents put more research into a stroller and a diaper bag than their own births
I will admit that I was one of those moms, but I have learned from my mistakes and I am doing my best to educate those around me.
The US C-Section rate is 31.1%! Unbelievable considering the WHO (World Health Organization) states that there should be NO reason that any country should have a rate higher than 10-15%. The C-Section rate in the US has DOUBLED in the past decade!
The US is the top of the heap for many things, but safety in giving birth isn’t one of them. We rank number 41st in the world for maternal mortality. Can you believe that there are 40 countries where it is SAFER to give birth than in the US????
A cesarean section poses documented medical risks to the mother’s health, including infections, hemorrhage, transfusion, injury to other organs, anesthesia complications, psychological complications, and a maternal mortality two to four times greater than that for a vaginal birth.
An elective cesarean section increases the risk to the infant of premature birth and respiratory distress syndrome, both of which are associated with multiple complications, intensive care and burdensome financial costs. Even mature babies, the absences of labor increases the risk of breathing problems and other complications. Did you know that Brayden required oxygen when he was born? And they didn’t even tell me until his first Dr. appt! Lack of oxygen to a newborn immediately after birth can cause SERIOUS issues.
The “once a cesarean, always a cesarean rule is outdated now that most of uterine incisions are low and horizontal and the risk of rupture of the old scar is almost nonexistent. A review of all VBAC literature from 1985-1990 found a rupture rate of 0.22% for low transverse scars in 22,000 planned labors after cesarean. (In developed nations the rupture rate was 0.18%.) By comparison, the incidence of other childbirth emergencies, such as prolapsed cord, placental separation, or sudden fetal distress is 1-3%.
Did you know that 90% of all C-Sections in the US are performed around 4pm and 10pm? Hmmmm, wonder why? Hospitals are a BUSINESS, they are there to turn beds. Once you hit that 7 hour of labor mark (like I did) they start telling you your fetus is in distress and you are not progressing in the right amount of time (does everyone labor for the same amount of time???) And pressure you into a C-Section.
A C-Section birth costs twice as much as a natural birth.
It all comes down to the fact that child birth is a NATURAL part of life. Babies are not meant to be induced for delivery, or be delivered via C-Section. I DO understand that there are times where a C-Section is necessary for both mom and/or baby, but not 31%! The baby will arrive when the baby is good and ready. Not every baby cooks to 40 weeks exactly, just like not EVERY woman ovulates on day 14 *rolling eyes at my reproduction specialist right now*
I highly encourage you to check out http://www.ican-online.org/ (International Cesarean Network) and to watch Ricki Lake’s documentary http://www.thebusinessofbeingborn.com/ - this can be watched online.
OBGYN’s, especially in the Cincinnati area, will not allow VBACs because they are afraid of being sued, for obviously no (or a less than 1%) reason. Luckily, I have found a wonderful doctor who will allow this, and yes, I will be delivering in Ohio.
Off my soapbox for today.