C-Sections Should Be Medically Necessary

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C-Sections Should Be Medically Necessary

Courtney L. Nehas

Composition I

Cecelia Munzenmaier

Hamilton College

September 7, 2006

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What do you think of when you hear names like Patricia Heaton, Kate Hudson, Kelly Rippa, and Claudia Schiffer? They all have something in common and it isn’t their fame and fortune; they’ve all had an elective c-section. The number of elective c-sections is on the rise; one out of every four babies is born by c-section (Song, Downie, Gibson, Kloberdan, McDowell, 2004). C-sections can be helpful as long as they are medically necessary for the health of the baby and/or the mother. However, there are many risks involved in elective c-sections that patients aren’t aware of.

Ask a mother that has had an elective c-section and she would probably tell you it was the best thing she ever did. Planning the “birthday” of the unborn child becomes incredibly easy since the mother gets to choose the exact date to go into labor. This benefits a busy mom’s schedule. What might not be considered is the fact that this could cause the baby to be born premature since the exact date of conception is not a definite (Song, et al., 2004). Another reason for a c-section is that many women want to keep their “pre-pregnancy” figure. Women opt for elective c-sections because they have the misconception that labor affects the “womanly” figure. However, the actual pregnancy in itself is the cause of tear and ware on the body (Song, et al., 2004). For example, stretch marks. Women don’t get stretch marks from vaginal deliveries; it comes from the weight gain during the pregnancy.

Some women fear being incontinent after giving birth. The c-section prevents damage to the pelvic floor preventing incontinence. However, this benefit is short-lived. By the age of 50, incontinence becomes more common and the rates between women

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having vaginal births and c-sections were similar (Rubin, 2003). Once again, pregnancy alone can cause incontinence because of the pressure on the pelvic floor.

Some women are afraid of the actual labor pain. There isn’t a choice when it comes to elective c-sections and using those drugs could potentially harm the mother and the baby. Risks are involved for the mother when receiving a spinal block. Blood pressure can drop, possibly leading to cardiac arrest; the mother’s temperature can rise. In worse cases the mother can become paraplegic because a nerve was damaged with the placement of the epidural (Buckley, 2005).

Let us not forget that having a c-section is major surgery. There is a risk of complications with any surgery and they can be serious. A small percentage of c-sections can lead to serious risks including infection, damage to major organs, or severe bleeding (Song, et al., 2004). C-sections take more time to recover. Women tend to stay longer in the hospital which can ultimately lead to more expenses. Recovery out of the hospital can typically last weeks and women need to have a lot of help and support from family members or friends. For example, many doctors recommend that women who have undergone a c-section do not drive, climb stairs, or even lift (including the newborn). Pain medications can also be prescribed after a c-section; however, with a vaginal delivery there is much less pain after the birth of the baby.

In some cases a c-section is a great idea. A c-section can save a baby’s life in medical emergencies. It can also cut the risk of passing HIV to the baby if the mother is HIV positive (Winslow, 1999). Although these are two very good benefits, elective c-

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sections also carry risks for the baby. As mentioned earlier, babies are often born premature because the date of conception is miscalculated (Song, et al., 2004).

The drugs used during the surgery can also affect the baby. Respiratory problems are more prevalent in babies born by c-section. This is because the lungs are the last organ to mature and if the conception date is miscalculated, the lungs aren’t developed enough (Buckley, 2005). As mentioned before the use of a spinal block affects the mother, which can also affect the baby. Changes in the fetal heart rate occur, which can be a sign that the baby is lacking the blood and oxygen supply it needs. There is a chance of toxic levels in the newborn that is associated with a low Apgar score at birth. Cases of jaundice are also higher when the mother receives an spinal block (Buckley, 2005).

Another disadvantage is the breastfeeding and bonding experience doesn’t happen right away (Snyder Sachs, 2004). In most cases the baby is taken before the mother has a chance to hold her own baby. The mother remains in the surgical room for the remainder of the procedure. It is often an hour before the mother is able to see and hold her baby. When the baby is back with the mother, it can affect the baby’s ability to breastfeed because of the level of toxins that were introduced because of the local anesthetic.

In conclusion, elective c-sections should not be an option for mothers that aren’t in need. There are many risks to a c-section that some people don’t realize. It is healthier to give birth vaginally if at all possible. The experience itself is very rewarding.

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References

Buckley, S. J. (2005). The hidden risks of epidurals. Mothering, (133), 50-66. Retrieved September 5, 2006, from MasterFILE Premier database.

Geddes, J. (2006). Choosing a c-section. Parenting, 20(8), 61. Retrieved August 24, 2006, from MasterFILE Premier database.

Rubin, R. (2003, March 6). Pregnancy, not delivery method, could be factor in later incontinence. USA Today. Retrieved August 24, 2006, from MasterFILE Premier database.

Snyder Sachs, J. (2004). C-sections by choice. Parenting, 18(2), 122-128. Retrieved August 24, 2006, from MasterFILE Premier database.

Song, S., Downie, A., Gibson, H., Kloberdan, K., & McDowell, J. (2004). Too posh to push? Time, 163(16), 58-60. Retrieved August 24, 2006, from MasterFILE Premier database.

Winslow, R. (1999). C-Sections may cut hiv risk to newborns. WallStreet Journal-Eastern Edition, 233(20), B3. Retrieved August 25, 2006, from MasterFILE Premier database.