Ron & Kristine
We are not quite sure why, but after all the warnings we were given about
being cautious and protecting ourselves from dishonest and unscrupulous
birthmothers, our experience with the birthmothers who contacted us through the
ParentProfiles.com website was just the opposite. Perhaps it is because a different
sort of birthmother contacted us than may be available in other types of
adoption situations. Many of the young women that we talked with were college
students who had a lot in their more ...
Caesarean section, or c-section, is a surgical method of delivering a baby. About one-fourth of all deliveries in the U.S. are by c-section. Prior to the development of this method, women and babies could die during childbirth from a variety of complications. C-sections save lives. However, the decision to have a c-section should not be taken lightly, as it is major abdominal surgery with the accompanying recovery time and potential complications of any major surgery.
Some circumstances that might result in a c-section include:
Baby's head is too large for the mother's pelvis. This would be determined using ultrasound.Some women and health care providers are critical of what they think is the overuse of caesarean sections. They think the procedure is done too often when it is not necessary. For example, sometimes women who have had a previous c-section will be encouraged to have subsequent babies by c-section as well, even if they have no complications or any factors that would normally result in c-section. Many women who have had a previous c-section can still deliver other babies vaginally. In addition, sometimes women who are over 40 are encouraged to have a c-section, even though age is not necessarily a factor in whether the mother can deliver vaginally.
Others support the use of caesarean whenever it might avoid complications, saying they believe the benefits of precaution outweigh the risks of the surgery. Still others believe the rise in medical malpractice suits has resulted in the increase in c-sections. In other words, doctors perform c-sections so they can't be sued if something happens during a vaginal birth that might have been prevented with a c-section.
As with any issue relating to birth, you should thoroughly discuss with your doctor/midwife her philosophy about caesarean sections, when she would perform one, if you can decide whether or not you want one, and so on. You will want to educate yourself about the risks and benefits of a surgical delivery.
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