Time Magazine was reporting on C-sections in the April 19, 2004 issue. They titled the article "Too Posh To Push" because it seems that wealthy women are choosing Caesarean sections over natural birth.
In Brazil, among the wealthy, the joke is that the only way you are likely to have a natural birth is if your doctor is stuck in traffic. A whopping 90% of the wealthy women in Brazil opt for a C-section!
The World Health Organization recommends that 15% of the births worldwide, and less than 9.5% of the births in the wealthy, Westernized nations should be Caesarean deliveries. In England, 22% of the babies are born by C-section, and in Italy the rate has jumped to 33%.
In the U.S. when they began keeping statistics in 1975, the rate of C-sections was 10.4%. Since then fully one quarter of the births are by C-section. Of the Caesareans performed last year, 22% were by patient choice.
Why? Convenience. Women can schedule when they deliver. Doctors don't have to miss their golf days. Some women choose them to avoid labor pain, but I suspect they are likely to have more pain recouperating from a C-section.
In Western medicine, C-sections have become a safe surgery, or malpractice would have kept this rate from rising, but there are still risks. Some doctors follow the "Do no Harm" rule and only perform a Caesarean when it's medically necessary, but you can bet that women like Kate Hudson and Elizabeth Hurley, and Madonna, and Kelly Ripa won't be going to them.
What absolutely astounds me is that these women have opted to wear a scar for life rather than be inconvenienced. Even more, I can't believe that they choose to risk their child's life with an unnecessary procedure.
Personally, I don't think that satisfying one's personal whim at the risk of your children's health is an acceptable choice.
Comments (9)
It's obvious that neither you nor the Western medical people understand birthing. If you want the real scoop see the new pregnant Barbie (Registered Trademark). The bulge on the abdoman lifts off to reveal a baby--already clothed, already. Someone brought one to work or I would not have believe this. On a more sober note, I recommend reading Margaret Atwood's "A Handmaiden's Tale" if you've not already done so.
Posted by Cop Car | April 23, 2004 7:05 PM
Posted on April 23, 2004 19:05
Yes, it seems everyone is tending towards the cut, rather than pushing. Ask anyone who has had both, they will most likely tell you that they prefer the regular delivery. After the baby is out, all is well. With the section, the delivery heralds the pain of the recovery period!
Posted by Dr. D. | April 24, 2004 8:59 AM
Posted on April 24, 2004 08:59
Talk about confusing little girls! They'll expect the babies to arrive fully dressed, now! I haven't read "A Handmaiden's Tale." Thanks for the recommendation.
Doc, I've had a little bit of abdominal surgery and know what the recovery is like. It seems to me that a woman might volunteer for a C-section once, but someone who volunteers more than once has to be CRAZY!
Posted by Buffy | April 24, 2004 11:57 AM
Posted on April 24, 2004 11:57
Well, I had natural birthing with Dudette--I was a good person who didn't want an anesthetic to depress her (well, at that point it was his/her--before ultrasound you know) vital signs. And we had the possibility of incompatible blood types (I am A- while HH is A+), so I went in for natural birth. Suffice it to say that the delivery was a little complicated and it took me months to get over the experience. Fortunately, Dudette was more than worth it or Bogie would still be just a gleam in her father's eye!
Posted by Cop Car | April 24, 2004 7:24 PM
Posted on April 24, 2004 19:24
Who knows what their reasons are for going C-Section. As far as the scar v. natural recovery, you have to remember that plastic surgery has gotten to the point where a lot can be done to make the scars dissappear. It doesn't do much for the underlying damage done, but there are a lot of vain people out there.
And, with the "newer" "bikini cut", unless they strip ALL the way down, no one will even see the scar.
Ridiculous choices people make.
Posted by Wichi Dude | April 25, 2004 9:57 AM
Posted on April 25, 2004 09:57
I had my children with no drugs, the first was because I was in Germany, and thats how my doctor said it was best. After that, I opted for drug free. I have been called insane and all the likes, but it was my choice.
Posted by LoisLane | April 25, 2004 1:11 PM
Posted on April 25, 2004 13:11
My mother, and all the women in my generation had theirs drug free. The girls in the next generation had epidurals, I think. Most of my family is pretty hardy stock, and only my youngest sis seemed to have any difficulties. My oldest sis was having her second child. She was in the elevator with a nurse and suggested that she hurry because the baby was coming. The nurse poo pooed the idea until she checked, and sure enough, my nephew was on the way! *G*
His mom went on to become a nurse, and I can tell you she never disregarded what a patient was saying to her!
Posted by Buffy | April 25, 2004 7:25 PM
Posted on April 25, 2004 19:25
i have been keeping track of them pussy wimp celebrities who have had c-sections the list includes Kate Hudson, Denise Richards,Angie Harmon,Catherine Bell,Catherine Zeta Jones, Madonna, Céline Dion,Victoria Beckham
Gwyneth Paltrow had her baby all natural she is not a pussy i admire her
Posted by fat | June 15, 2004 9:28 PM
Posted on June 15, 2004 21:28
Oh, my God. Have any of you people ever even given birth? First, a c-section is no more dangerous for a baby than a "natural" birth. Secondly, I challenge whomever called c-section moms "pussies" to lay on a table fully conscious and be sliced completely open. Furthermore, this is ridiculous- the way you're all going on about "no drugs." I, too, was a "good person" who didn't want my baby to suffer ill effects from Demerol post-delivery, but after 12 hours of fruitless labor, I gave up and took the pain relief.
Guess what? I opted for an elective c-section the second time. I'm not crazy, I just didn't want a scarred vaginal canal as well as a scarred abdomen. My husband is grateful I didn't push a 10 lb. baby through it.
Anyway, my point is, quit being so judgemental. Birth is birth, and no one way is better. We all suffer, and C-sections are not an "easy way out."
And it's not handmaiden, it's handmaid. If you're going to pontificate, get it right.
Posted by Kim | June 28, 2004 11:31 PM
Posted on June 28, 2004 23:31