The Many Ignored Risks of C-Sections

re: The Many Ignored Risks of C-Sections

Westy Bell — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 19:34:33 GMT

Some of us really DON'T have a choice. I tried to have my son vaginally but after pushing for 2 hours with no success and my son showing signs of distress, I delivered via emergency C-section. My next baby will have to be delivered via C-section also because the doctors told me my pelvis is too narrow and android-shaped, basically I have a male pelvis. And I sure as heck am not going to risk my second baby's life to try and have a vaginal birth. My son ended up in intensive care for a week because of the trauma caused to him while I was trying to have him vaginally. So, there are two sides to everything.

re: The Many Ignored Risks of C-Sections

Mpowered — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 13:47:29 GMT

I have had a very unwanted (then found out very unnecessary) c/s for my first child - many months of nightmares about the obs lack of respect/comm'n/choice and my loss of natural birth/self-esteem/womanhood etc. You can't underestimate the psychological impact of c/s. It was only with my steely determination, a lot of education & information and support of like-minded people that I then went on to have a drug-free VBAC16 months later. I had 1:1 midwifery care and not once was 'trial of scar' mentioned - it was all very positive.

I'm involved in a support group called "Birthrites: Healing After Caesarean" who provided tremendous support in preparation for my VBAC and who have a wealth of information and provide amazing emotional support to hundreds of women. A VBAC, it seems, is largely a mental and emotional journey of forgiving and healing the past and forging forward empowered, informed and most of all with absolute conviction it can be achieved. You may like to visit www.birthrites.org - heaps of stories, info and encouragement.

re: The Many Ignored Risks of C-Sections

mmztcass — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 17:28:57 GMT

What I would say is that women delivering their babies, try to go as drug free as possible. I used the Epidural with the first baby and it slowed down my contractions and it stopped me from feeling the urge to push so the baby was stuck. I ended up having the C-section. As having 4 VBACs babies and not using any meds, I did well after that.

re: The Many Ignored Risks of C-Sections

katieannpc — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 16:32:30 GMT

It's interesting to see that there is so much going on about C-sections. Originally, I wanted a completely natural birth. The thought of a needle in my spine terrified me. (and still does) Well, my first child was breech and being the first my Dr. said it was too risky both for the baby and me to have a natrural birth. (had this been a 2nd or 3rd, she would have not been as concerned). So, we proceeded with the c-section and all was well. In fact, they said my bloodwork didn't even look like I had given birth!

With my second child, I asked about the risk factor for natural birth after the c-section. As soon as she said "uterine rupture" that was enough for me. I opted for a second c-section. And I am proud to say that I left the hospital just a little over 48 hrs of having the baby. (for the Dr.'s sake, I have to say I wanted to go, they would not have released us had we not been doing well) We never had any problems. I do believe that it depends greatly on the hospital and surgeons - I happened to be in a great place. I have since moved and dread the process in a new place that's not so familiar (as we plan on more children in the future) I will be investigating all my options and facilities (as the risk factor is higher since the 2 c-sections, I prefer to be where they are prepared should anything go awry) before I make a firm decision for the next child.

Thank you Dr. Mercola for making so much information available (or helping us find it)! It's hard to find medical information on your own, without the bias of "conventinal" medicine. I do believe that a good balance of Holistic medicine, diet, exercise and western medicine makes for the best health we can have. The trouble is finding an MD who is willing to take natural routes before prescribing the latest "greatest" pill. It's nice to know they are out there and I hope we can find one here soon

re: The Many Ignored Risks of C-Sections

Dr Rik — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 16:26:59 GMT

Natural childbirth without medical control is a good example of your faith based philosophy. If it scares you, your faith is in the M.D. My daughter asked my advice and went with a midwife and home birth for all three of her children. The process goes through the pregnancy (pre natal) and includes an obstetric exam. If there is a problem, it is generally identified well in advance and your midwife can tell you that the medical facilities will be more appropriate. My wife had all natural childbirths, but was uncomfortable with not following the M.D.s advice and we had our kids in the hospital. Don't fear the M.D.s judgement. Make your own decision. Dr. Rik D.C.

re: The Many Ignored Risks of C-Sections

Vera_203 — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 13:22:13 GMT

When I had my daughter, my condition was kinda touchy.. I had Placenta Previa Media, so I had no other choice than to have a C-Section. Back then the incision was vertical; however, I never had one complication with the whole process. I was very grateful that the condition was discovered before I went into labor.

re: The Many Ignored Risks of C-Sections

organicmamato3 — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 06:41:22 GMT

I have had 3 natural births, the last two with midwives. I have to tell you that it can be done! The only reason to have a c-section is in a medical emergency. I remember walking into my OB's office before switching to a midwife and him asking me if I wanted to schedule a c-section! I was furious! Take birth back!!!

re: The Many Ignored Risks of C-Sections

moondancer — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 18:53:49 GMT

What many people may not know concerning c-section births is that the newborn child may a couple years later develop Sensory Integration Dysfunction. Several researchers have proven that and occupational therapists have seen newborns born c-section that did not go through the sensory/pressure processes of a natural birth may develop Sensory Integration Dysfunction later. I am aware of a persons young daughter who was born c-section due to their health care provider's policy "that once a child is delivered c-section with them, others will be delivered c-section" She refused to wear coats/jackets/pants. She is in occupational therapy and has adjusted well to the point that most of her sensitivity issues have disappeared and she is now wearing the above-mentioned clothes with little trouble.
What also is troubling is the fact that the persons health insurance company refuses to recognize Sensory Integration Dysfunction as a medical issue and will only pay one-quarter of the weekly occupational therapy bill. Sensory Integration Dysfunction children may have one or several sensory problems, ranging from textured foods to clothing issues. Occupational therapy and healthy meals/good vitamin-mineral-health supplements have greatly helped this young girl to almost overcome Sensory Integration Dysfunction.

re: The Many Ignored Risks of C-Sections

GRAYWOLF — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 21:06:56 GMT

After 10 hours of Petosin our first baby was delivered via C-section. a later visit to the ob-gyn for a check up she was told her pelvis was too small and never would have delivered (back in the 19th century she would have died) and that she would probably never be able to give birth naturally. So, when the second one came (7yr later), the new ob-gyn was told from day one that it would be a C-section. No problems from either one aside from the "normal" lung clearing issues associated with not getting squeezed in the birth canal.

re: The Many Ignored Risks of C-Sections

nanciesweb — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 15:41:45 GMT

I'll be having my fifth child at home. Not once I've stepped into a hospital, except to visit and to bring my son when I thought he had broken his nose.

My cousin, who's an RN, thinks I'm nuts. She has seen a lot that could go wrong in a pregnancy, but I wonder how many problems happen due to medical intervention. It's interesting that the medical professionals don't see the connection.

re: The Many Ignored Risks of C-Sections

Sean Uisce — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 00:49:27 GMT

There are also complications for the baby's neuro-development. Cranial plates do not get the massage nature intended as the head is squeezed through the birth canal. The child, instead of transitioning from a warm watery world through the firm, moist reassurance of mother's vaginal canal experiences a rush of cold air, light and explosion of sound. And meets with metal and/or rubber gloves instead of caring human skin. Simultaneously, the vestibular system experiences the shock of being suddenly shifted from experiencing gravity via mother's movements (cushioned in fluid), to experiencing it through the efficient and task oriented movements of medical staff. So birth is an upward rush instead of the gentle downward pull nature intended they experience through the birth canal of a crouching mother.

All that & more happens BEFORE one considers the emotional, mental and spiritual consequences for child and mother who have been through a c-section (rebirthing via deep meditation or hypnosis can help understand and improve damaged relationships, poor self-esteem, boundary issues, perceptions of the Universe/God etc).

So, at the very least, I would strongly encourage cranio-sacral work for babies and mothers who have experienced c-sections. Or Bio-geometric Integration Chiropractic treatments (n.b. BGI Chiropractic does not go for 'clunk-click' - but rather sets the body up to do the 'clunk-click' thing as it wishes. The body does the adjustments during or after the session. Only as a last resort will a BGI practitioner physically move a bone). In fact mothers, partners and babies-in-womb would benefit from these and/or The Bowen Technique prior to birthing (partners can be shown how to apply a unique Bowen movement that may speed up labour).

re: The Many Ignored Risks of C-Sections

coloncleansemike — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 22:31:15 GMT

We recently had a baby in Nov., by c-sec. It is interesting to note that in most hospitals today, that it takes very little for a doctor to opt for c-sec. I was also displeased with the liberal use of pain meds and antibiotics via IV.

re: The Many Ignored Risks of C-Sections

philbooker1951 — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 21:42:23 GMT

Adding to the title...unless the mother is HIV-positive. I just learned that on "Without a Trace". A woman with HIV automatically passes the virus onto her child if she delivers naturally, but if she has a C-section, there is only a one percent chance that she will not have a healthy baby.

However, I believe women should be mentally, physically and spiritually healthy (not to mention financially stable) before they even think about conceiving a child, but life is full of tiny surprises.

re: The Many Ignored Risks of C-Sections

Michigan Mom — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 19:45:49 GMT

Natural births do not occur on accident or as a result of luck. You need to plan and expect to have a natural birth. I recommend the Bradley method, but there are other good ones as well. Stay away from Lamaze, they emphasize unnatural breathing and suggest you do everything the hospital wants.

Eat 100g of protein a day! Eat fresh green vegetables every day and yellow/oranges ones a few times a week. This is the crux of the Brewer pregnancy diet which dropped my blood pressure from 170/140 to 135/90 when I was 25 weeks pregnant (I was a vegetarian and I am a protein type.) The total health program is good as well; just make sure you are getting enough protein. Drink only water and salt your food to taste!

re: The Many Ignored Risks of C-Sections

Josh Rubin — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 18:41:15 GMT

This is my take since working on many women who have Csections:
1. Surgeons cut through the 3 major layers of the abdominal wall. This can cause many issues. For one, they are cutting through the major muscles called the inner unit that help the stabilize and decompress the Lumbar spine. The most important of them all is the Tranvers Abdominus. This wraps around the entire midsection and attached to the internal oblique and thoracolumbar fascia, which connects to the lumbar spine. When we diaphragmatically breath, this creates intra-abdominal pressure (TVA and diaphragm), which helps to hold viscera in, and stablizes the low back. This prevents any compression, torsion or shearing when moving.

The downfall of this is that all this is lost with a Csection. So, there is little to no rehab for the mother. They end up with terrible scars and scar tissue, no inner unit function, and visceroptosis (organs hang off ligaments because TVA is not neurologically there to hold them in). If rehab is down soon after surgery to reintroduce the neurological pathways to and from the brain to these muscles, massaging to the scar sight (scars are like roadblocks for neurological signals), and proper nutrition, all will be dandy.

2. Most of the time with large surgeries such as this, the body is exposed to oxygen and bacteria. I have seen most women develop bacterial and parasite infections internally from Csections.