Caesareans and such

This has been some week on the issues of caesareans hasn't it? Let's recap.

Monday HealthGrades came out with their "study" on patient choice caesarean rates increasing 36%. Reporter Shapiro concludes his article with, "Our findings of exponential growth in the rates of women receiving Â'patient-choice'” C-sections are consistent with our conclusion in last yearÂ’s report which identified that heightened awareness, increased support and advocacy, and women waiting until they are older to have their first child, are key drivers in the increasing rate of 'patient-choice'” C-sections in the United States. We further anticipate that as these key drivers become more widespread and consensus on the utility of '“patient-choice'” C-sections is achieved, demand and rates will continue to rise. We believe that these findings demonstrate the significant impact of empowerment and consumerism among selected women in the United States."

Not only is this a gross exaggeration, most women who they are finding in their study as "choosing" a caesarean are in fact women seeking a vaginal birth post caesarean who are being coerced into it by their primary caregivers who paint a very bad picture of VBAC risks and place huge fears of uterine rupture on them. Thus they agree to a repeat surgery and are charted as 'patient choice' caesarean section. Believe me I know, I have been there in the hot seat as my obstetrician berates me for my stupidity in wanting to endanger myself and my baby to have a vaginal birth. He went so far as to say, "I can't believe you are sitting here alive one day before your due date, you should have scheduled your caesarean at 38 weeks! You know you are risking your life, don't you?"Thrice sectioned I chose a homebirth for my fourth without the fears placed on me by my physicians and the hospitals. Which NJ physician was it that said any physician can make their patient choose whatever they want simply by how they word their "informed consent" discussion? Welcome to obstetrics where evidence-based medicine is rarely performed. How could it when this is the only normal physiological process which physicians feel the need to meddle with? Midwives, good ones, know that meddling cause problems, unfortunately obstetricians haven't figured this out yet. Do you think it has anything to do with it being a cash cow for allopathic medicine?

But I digress, are you pregnant post-cesarean? Learn more about your options with ICAN's support (pdf).

Tuesday a news article (not online) tells of NC's Genesis Medical Center and Trinity Health Care Systems not banning VBACs citing patient choice and patient rights. Well, one in a thousand who actually care about their patients legal rights? I am impressed.

Wednesday afternoon Britney Spears, terrified of vaginal birth, chose an elective caesarean for the birth of her son at the last minute and is now recovering with her entourage in London.

Thursday Britney's fans reacted with a mixture of elation for her baby boy and anger at her choosing a caesarean out of fear.

Friday rounded out the week with a beautiful segment on CBS's Health Watch with co-anchor Hannah Storm, thrice sectioned mother, who "can personally attest to the pain involved with caesareans." Please watch the streaming video for the best information. It was mentioned that the National Institute of Child Heath and Human Development (NICHD) was doing a study on elective caesareans next year. Hmm, I would love to be a fly on that board room wall!

Let me conclude with the awesome work ICAN has been doing in responding to these with their press releases.

PS. I forgot two things!

Wednesday Reuters reported a new study that showed caesarean can increase risk of milk allergies and ORGYN.com
reported on the potential link between caesareans and newborn cavities as well as well as Model predicts risk of emergency after previous cesarean (you may need to register to read these, but it's free). What a week!