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I saw this article today and thought it was interesting:
http://shine.yahoo.com/parenting/more-hospitals-banning-elective-c-sections-184500620.html
What is your opinion on this?
Personally, I agree with it. I'm curious what others think though.
Hmm, I think maybe allowing elective C-sections so long as a doctor OKs it would be a workable option.
Beyond taxes and wanting to give brith when family is in town, I am sure that a lot of women might choose elective for lots of reasons...maybe there is set to be a bilizzard on your due date, if you live in a rural area, that could lead to a home birth you are not prepared for. What if a family member is dying and you want to make sure they meet the baby?
Dunno, doesn't seem like the worst thing in the world, but I get that there are drawbacks.
From the article it seems they are only banning elective c-section and induction BEFORE 39 weeks. So I guess moms are still allowed to have an elective c-section after the 39 week mark?
I wasnt aware that people were choosing to get induced at 37 or 38 weeks. I thought you had to wait til your due date?
@bells: Yeah, it's before 39 weeks. I didn't feel like having a mile-long thread title. Sorry.
Agree 100% and hope that at some point "elective" would be done away with altogether....
The risks of these interventions (when not necesary) far out weight the medical benefits for both momma & baby and I'm glad that hospitals are starting to accept this and do something about it.
Our healthcare statistics here in the US for mommas & babies is horrendoues in comparison to other industrialized countries and hopefully at somepoint we can turn things around and get back to being the best as opposed to one of the worst.
I think this is a great start! =)
I agree with the ban, personally. Unless there is a medical reason, I don't think hospitals should just allow elective c-sections and inductions.
I can't imagine why anyone would want to have their baby at 37 weeks on purpose, it just seems kind of cruel to me.
I wish it would be banned all together! I had an elective induction at 39 weeks and it failed. I had another induction at 41 weeks and it worked. I wish I had just let my body take its course! Of course if you go for an insane amount of time, like my ex mother in law (45 weeks), then I think you should serve the eviction notice!
@plantains: "I have seen women induced or have a scheduled C-section because they have family scheduled to be in town, because they want the baby to be born on an anniversary or someone else's birthday, because they want the baby born prior to Jan. 1 for tax purposes, or because they are simply sick and tired of being pregnant," Dr. Elaine St. John, associate professor of pediatrics in the Division of Neonatology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, told ABC News in 2009.
Sad but true. I've heard of people saying AND doing that too!
I really don't understand elective births. I can understand inducing if you're severely overdue but otherwise doesn't the baby come when it is ready, rather when you are!
The women in my family do not birth well, I came early and my mom almost died,so they had to do an emergency C. My brother was a planned C, but around the 39 wk. mark.
My grandmother and aunts also needed C sections. its just the way we are bulit.
The OBGYN recomended the same thing for me when i went to get a check up, ( if and when i have childeren ) and if they are banning it... that scares me...
@imalittlebirdie: That's not elective then. There is a legit, medical reason why you might need one.
I have to agree with amnystik. I think they should ban elective c-section and induction all-together. We have an infant mortality rate on par with some "third world" countries. It's terrible. I agree that unless there is a medical reason for it, then they shouldn't do it.
Just so people know, being severely overdue IS a medical reason. After 42 weeks, your placenta starts to deteriorate and the chance of stillbirth climbs dramatically.
I'm glad to hear it. I'm most intruiged by the mindset of the woman who was quoted at the end...
"You're already out of control of your body, so at least to know if you go to your doctor's office and say, 'Look, we're at 37 weeks, and I feel like I'm ready,' " Lisa Coulouris, who had twins via emergency C-section earlier this year, told NPR. "To know that I would have that choice would just make me feel better. But to take it away from me just adds to the pressure of being pregnant."
@imalittlebirdie: It's only for elective. I doubt a hospital wouldn't allow you to have a C-section if its a health risk or for medical reasons.
I think if these women can't handle the discomfort and inconvenience of 40 weeks of pregnancy they probably aren't prepared for the next 20 years of motherhood. Just sayin'...
But they are not ready that early and to request a baby be born early before he/she is ready just because you're uncomfortable, not for an actual medical reasons or due to unmanageable pain is pure selfishness.
EXACTLY! In my opinion, people are becoming more and more selfish. It's not all about you, anymore...
I think it's smart to limit inductions with no health reasons before a certain week gestation, babies need time to incubate.
@Minutiae: while my baby went overdue and did not have a c-section, by week 34 I just felt helpless and done. While I wouldn't have scheduled a c-section I do understand the feeling of just no longer being in control of your body and longing to get that back. I think a lot of women believe there's no major health benefit for babies staying in longer so if Drs. explained the benefits I'm sure a lot fewer women would really feel ready at 37 weeks even if they were uncomfy both mentally and physically, I just don't think the benefits of going the full 40 weeks are always explained well to women.
I don't know but I do know that I'm the type of person that would do anything I can to avoid a C-section at all costs. And I've been through childbirth before.
My co-worker had a baby a littler over a year ago and early on she said she had a feeling she was going to have a C-section. She wanted one because she didn't want to go through childbirth. Her baby wound up being frank breech and while the doctor offered to try to flip the baby, she said no and scheduled her C-section.
If it were me, I would do anything I could to flip that baby and have him vaginally. But that's just me. I want very little intervention unless absolutely necessary. I just feel like C-sections are done so much when they really aren't needed. At least 3/4 of the people I know that have had babies within the past year have had C-sections.
@troubled: Even moreso if Doctors fully explained to very real risks (immediate & long term) of cesereans we'd have women be more for the ONLY when neccessary and not for any other means... atleast I'd hope so. sigh
reminds me of the ER episode where a couple asked to be induced because they didn't want their kid born in the year of the pig:)
As a woman who had 2 successful elective inductions during my 39th weeks of pregnancy I disagree on banning all elective inductions. Of course, there should be a cutoff- not before a certain week (39 or 38?). But to take that option off the table completely for mothers and the healthcare providers does not make sense to me. As women we need to choose healthcare providers that represent our beliefs and advocate for us. If you don't want to be induced- fine- then don't be. If you don't want an epidural- fine- don't get one. But if a baby has reached full gestational weight/age, then it should really be up to the mother and her OBGYN.
I disagree b/c I disagree with taking away a women's right to choose how she births. After 36 week, she's full term. With the discretion of her doctor, she should be able to choose how she wants to deliver a baby.
I'm inclined to give your co-worker a break because I've heard try to flip the baby is painful and has a low success rate. The odds are that she would have needed that c-section anyway. I can see why she wouldn't want to go through the pain of attempting the flip only to still need the c-section.
I have mixed feelings about this. I have done research on elective c-sections, since for many reasons I feel this would be best for me and FI and I have talked about it for way in the future. I don't like the fact that places are putting bans on elective c's.
That being said, I would never want to schedule one for prior to 39 or 40 weeks. I would want to make sure my baby had all the time they need to develop. I've worked with babies born before that mark and it can be very dangerous, as we all know. However, I don't understand why a ban would be placed for people electing to have a c-section at 39 or 40 weeks.
I do think it is crazy that hospitals see a rise in elective c sections so that people can have their baby on a specific day. That I do agree with putting a ban on. Same for people that want to do it for tax purposes.
Based on the aritcles, it looks like the ban is for c's before the 39 week mark.
I'm just bemused by the thinking of the lady quoted at the end of the article:
"You're already out of control of your body, so at least to know if you go to your doctor's office and say, 'Look, we're at 37 weeks, and I feel like I'm ready, to know that I would have that choice would just make me feel better"
What!? YOU, as a non-medical professional, think you should be able to determine when your baby is ready to be born!? I find that line of thinking just crazy. I honestly think unless there is a medical reason (as determined by a doctor) there is no reason why an elective c-section/induction should be done before 39 weeks. It just doesn't make sense to me..... this coming from a 9 weeks pregnant woman who has absolutely no idea what it's like at the late stages of pregnancy, but I just can't imagine doing something that would possibly endanger my child. After 39 weeks, I might be all for it, but before, I just don't understand it.
As a woman who fully itends on having a c-section when we decide to have kids I honestly don't care if they make me wait a few weeks longer. If they feel it is better for my baby in the long run I am happy to oblige.
That being said I would have a huge issue if they removed the option of elective c-sections altogether. I refuse to have a natural birth for many personal reasons and have always felt strongly about this (this is not a challege for debate so please don't start one....) and I feel it is my right as a woman to choose HOW my baby is born, just not WHEN.
It makes sense. The rise in elective C-sectons is astounding and there are serious risks involved and I don't think people always realize that. And the fact that calculating the baby's age can be off, and if you are off a couple weeks and have an elective c section it could be as young as 34-35 weeks which isn't healthy for the baby.
@Treejewel19: just curious, what are some of your reasons? (out of true curiousity and not anything bitchy lol)
Op- My labor was induced and I honestly was so damn thankful! lol. My daughter was not coming out and was past her due date! And she was just getting bigger and bigger lol! I feel like the topic isnt that close to my heart so I kind of feel indifferent to the topic. I wouldn't choose to have a c-section.. just like I wouldn't choose to induce before my due date (though I did often wish I could ) lol. However, this might cause preggo moms to take things into their own hands..not good
@zippylef:A lot of insurance won't cover elective c-section anyway--even if your doc recommends it.
I definitely agree that postponing elective c-sections to after 39 weeks is brilliant. Earlier is just silly unless it's not elective/it's for some health problem.
Elective c sections used to bug me, not so much anymore. Every woman is different, and the risks don't necessarily go up. But what irks me is elective c sections, or inductions before the damn due date. Let nature take its course, and if it doesn't happen within a week after that, I can understand going for either, because the placenta does stop functioning properly at that point.
@MrsNeutrino: Well some of them are personal so I won't elaborate on all but one of them is frankly I am absolutely beyond terrified of natural birth. I have seen several of them in person as well as read books and talked to doctors and still...terrified. I am willing to assume the risks of a c-section to avoid that terror alone. I don't want my pregancy to be a 9 month ticking time bomb!
I often compare it to flying. We know that flying is safer and yet still scared so we drive instead, which is much more dangerous. While you can rationalize all you want if someone feels safer driving then there isn't any point to arguing is there? Just let them drive and assume the risks, it is their right. Again, I didn't post that to start a debate or derail the thread so I am not going to go into further details.
:)
@chasesgirl: This is my reasoning as well. Wait until your freaking due date for chrissakes.
I knew a lady here that started begging her doctor to strip her membranes at 34 weeks and was angry and confused why her doctor refused to do it. I just don't understand why some people just don't understand that in a normal and healthy pregnancy, 34 weeks is not a healthy time to deliver.
@TheJeanses2012:LOL> My grandmother had my dad for almost 44 weeks. They never induced her, either--eventually she finally went into labor naturally.
@Cash000:This!
@Treejewel19:Fair enough reasons, but I still think you should wait until you're full term before you get your c-section.
@PasteMoo: Agreed. As I posted I have no issues with waiting to accomodate the health of my child. :)
I had an elective c-section, so if this were to happen at my hospital, Id have switched. My insurance did cover it at the normal rate. I, however, didnt do it for tax purposes, timing (she came on her due date, I dont agree with taking them early unless medically necessary,) or convenience. I had personal reasons for wanting to do it that my doctor agreed with. In the end, Id have needed one anyways due to the cord being around Liv's neck 3 times tightly plus a whooooole list of other health problems for me, but thats neither here nor there. I, like a pp said, feel that its up to me to decide how my baby should come AS LONG AS IT IS DEEMED SAFE. I dont think I should say when if its prior to 4 weeks, but how is my decision
I think it's a good thing since it's elective before 39 weeks.
In an article I read one doctor say that a baby isn't really ready to live in the real world even at 40 weeks and would benefit A LOT from staying in the womb another three months! Crazy, right?! So I think it is important to wait until full-term, or when the baby comes, especially since so many women can't know EXACTLY their "due date" or how far along they are, it's a guess date and I've heard many doctors refer to the week as estimated date of delivery so we don't get hung up on ONE DAY!
Not to spark a debate, but I think most reasons women have elective c-sections for are pretty selfish, especially the ones stated in the article. I was a nanny for a family who had elective C-sections for all four of her kids, and she just liked the convenience of it. She wanted to be able to make an appointment to give birth so it wouldn't interfere with her schedule. I was astonished! Obviously I didn't say anything but it really surprised me. Then I started to hear more and more how many women want to have c-sections for reasons similar to that. Crazy..
I wouldn't mind seeing elective banned altogether either (only for medical purposes), but I won't say that set in stone and I don't want to spark debate, like @Treejewel19: sometimes there are REALLY personal reasons you want to have one, and as long as those women know the risks (which it appears treejewel19, you do!), I guess it's their choice.
I met (sort of,) this lady when my pregnant friend and I went to purchase her stroller (craigslist- and she did not end up using the stroller- it was kind of gross and she regretted even going, anyway...) there were kids everywhere. Both parents were home and there were 5 or more children and she said "she always gets a planned C-section, we love them! It is so easy and we just get right in there and do it every time. We only go planned. We love it." It was like a baby factory in the suburbs. Get in and get them out, I suppose (was their philosophy.) It was definitely different... Elective c sections everytime- This is just a random, related story...
@miss-spunkin: Not all reasons are selfish. I know you pointed out @Treejewel19:s "really personal reasons," and that is the case for a lot of people. My reasons were personal to me, but my main one was terror of vaginal delivery. Selfish to you (not you in particular. Like a plural "you" as in others)-maybe. But for me, necessity. And the decision didnt come lightly. My doctors discussed the risks and benefits, and because in my case a section was deemed to be a bit safer, it was a no-brainer for me. they didnt push me one way or the other, but they made sure I was educated.
A lot of people hear "elective" and automatically assume its about convenience. For most of the women that I know that have had them (and I know a lot. NYC has a lot of them) I would say that MAYBE one of them had it done because it was more convenient. Most of them had their own reasons for wanting it done.
@KellyV: I understand where you and @Treejewel19: are coming from. For me, it's the opposite. I am TERRIFIED of having a c-section. I have never needed lots of medical attention. Never had stitches, never broken a bone, never had surgery, never been in the hospital... nothing. The idea of major abdominal surgery freaks me out big time. I respect your decision and understand that it is personal.
@KellyV: One reason I'm for limiting access to elective inductions and c-sections is because not all expectant mothers are as fortunate as you to have a medical team working with them to make an educated, safe decision. (This isn't to single you out specifically at all, I just feel you're an example of a patient with medical professionals informing you of all your options, risks, and benefits so you can make a sound decision.)
My MIL works in Perinatal Outreach where she has a big focus on doctors'/hospitals' over-use of medically unnecessary inductions/sections. The statistics she gathers and stories of hospitals she consults are scary. What I'm getting at is, not only is there a rising number of mother's wanting early inductions/sections, but there are way too many doctors pushing patients towards these options when its not medically necessary too. Sadly, for some Doctors its a matter of convenience too.
I was induced a few weeks ago but for medical purposes. I had gestational diabetes and we were worried about his size. I was 39 weeks though so he was in the safe zone. I got a shot in my butt every week for 16 weeks to keep him from being premature like his older brother. I personally wouldn't risk earlier than 37 weeks. I agree with the 39 week rule.
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