C- Sections are apparently preferred by many women nowadays. Many women have either gotten one or will get one in the future. In the period between 1996 and 2009 C-Sections increased by 60%, but for the first time in many years, the cesarean deliveries have leveled and did not increase.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), a non-profit women’s health care advocacy group was responsible for the curbing of the upward trend. In 2009, the group launched the public health campaign in order to discourage the physicians and expecting mothers from undergoing unnecessary c-sections.
C-Sections are not that safe and they can be riskier than the vaginal births. This procedure actually means cutting into the abdomen and exposing you to bacteria, which drastically increases your risk of getting an infection. It can also contribute to excessive bleeding, blood lumps and even death.
It is also exhausting procedure for your body. The duration of a post- C- Section recovery is up to six weeks, while in case of a vaginal birth, it takes only one to two weeks.
According to the latest research conducted by the ACOG, women with a cesarean delivery have a higher risk of placenta implantation issues, uterine rupture, bladder and bowel injuries, a second cesarean delivery and the need for hysterectomy.
The statistics show that around 31percent of the births in the USA in the period between 2009 and 2012 were cesarean deliveries. And even without data on which of those were medically necessary, it is estimated that 8% were avoidable.
Reasons for C- sections rise
In spite of the complications due to this procedure, there has been a sharp rise between 1996 and 2009, which has resulted from several reasons.
The first reason is convenience – for both the mother and the doctor. Women often decide to have c-sections scheduled when their family is around in order to help them to take care of their children.
According to older studies, it was discovered that he c-sections are usually implemented on Fridays in the period between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. What you need to know is that some doctors may recommend inducing labor in order to avoid spending their nights and weekends working.
Another reason for this increase is in cases of women who have undergone one C- Section. Giving birth to a second child vaginally becomes riskier when a woman has already had a baby via cesarean.
Doctors are very careful when it comes to risky procedures, both out of fear of harming the mother, and to avoid being sued. The journal Obstetrics and Gynecology published an article in which showed that 29% of obstetrician college members noted that they did more cesareans in order to avoid any problems with the law.When a c-section is the better alternative
Just like most medical decisions, the final word is always up to the mother and the doctor to determine the best way to deliver the baby. Yet, C-Sections are usually necessary to ensure the safety of the mother and child. The ACOG notes that you are a true candidate for c-section if:
The baby has an abnormal heart rate
There is a problem with the placenta
Your contractions are not strong enough to move the baby on their own
The baby is particularly large or breech
You are infected with an STI that could infect your baby if it were to go through the birth canal
The umbilical cord is pinched or compressed
You are carrying twins and they are very small or poorly positioned
You have diabetes, which could lead to a larger baby
You have high blood pressure, which can lead to preeclamsia, a dangerous condition that can damage your organs and can only be cured by childbirth (which is why an early-term cesarean delivery may be necessary)
SummaryBe careful with the doctors who recommend a c-section- particularly if you are young and do not have any health problems. Macrons recommend that you should have a vaginal birth if you can. So before you sign off on a C-Section, you should ask your doctor if you can give birth vaginally, since in that way, you face a lower rate of infection and will experience a faster recovery.