Healthy women schedule C-sections to prevent vaginal stretching

Specialties Ob/Gyn

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Has anyone personally encountered this, or known a doctor who would do it?

There's been press about this in the past few years, along with a "too posh to push" philosophy, and it seems very disturbing on so many levels. I don't have a link handy, but one story even said that in Brazil, the C-section rate for middle class women exceeds 90%! :down: It's actually considered disgraceful in some circles to deliver lady partslly, according to the source.

Every woman I have ever known who has experienced both has said that a lady partsl birth is MUCH less painful, even a very traumatic delivery vs. a c-section with no labor at all.

Keep in mind that this is not a criticism of necessary c-sections.

Specializes in NICU.
I also don't see why we're so up in arms about having a c-section to avoid a seemingly cosmetic (or accessory) problem, but we don't have problems with 16 year olds getting breast augmentations and liposuction.

Because it's her choice for her OWN body. Whereas a woman that choses a c-section is compromising the baby's start of life.

Sure, there are plenty of times when a c-section is warranted and even necessary for both mom and baby. But that's not what we're talking about here, we're talking about ELECTIVE c-sections. C-section babies that come over to us GFRing because of the c-section isn't quite the best start for that kiddo, you know?

If the mom wants to do things to her own body that's fine, but in these cases you have another life to think about.

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.
I find your last paragraph curious. You state that you would not choose a lady partsl delivery due to personal concerns, yet you seem judgemental of women who are equally disturbed by having a surgical birth. Why is it OK to desire a surgical birth, but not OK to be disappointed over the loss of a planned lady partsl delivery?

I think I understand what she's getting at, and I don't think it's about belittling those who do view a lady partsl birth as something special and important, it's about getting those women to realize that sometimes, it really isn't possible, and that while it's certainly okay to be disappointed that you didn't get the birth experience you wanted, the bigger picture, that you and your child are both healthy and ALIVE, is certainly more important.

Heck, I didn't get the birth I wanted. And had I been given the c-section when I requested it, my son and I wouldn't have gone through hell to get here, but instead of spending all of my time lamenting how they should have listened, I sat back, realized we both came through alive and healthy, and that was all that matters.

I think too many women believe their birth plans are set in stone, and aren't willing to compromise even when their life or their babies life is in danger. This is something that should be discussed between the mother and her doctor PRIOR to delivery, so that she can prepare herself ahead of time, and not be left to grieve something that couldn't be.

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.
Because it's her choice for her OWN body. Whereas a woman that choses a c-section is compromising the baby's start of life.

Sure, there are plenty of times when a c-section is warranted and even necessary for both mom and baby. But that's not what we're talking about here, we're talking about ELECTIVE c-sections. C-section babies that come over to us GFRing because of the c-section isn't quite the best start for that kiddo, you know?

If the mom wants to do things to her own body that's fine, but in these cases you have another life to think about.

Yet, we perform abortions, allow mothers to smoke/drink during pregnancy without reprocussions, take drugs at delivery and induction that haven't been proven safe on the babies...Given the MYRIAD of issues during pregnancy and childbirth, I hardly find an elective c-section to be the most disturbing...

I mean, by your line of thinking, we should also ban all epidurals, because they have been shown to make labor take longer, and cause other issues in mom and baby, along with pain medications that may/may not cross the placenta. We'll have to be sure to ban all formula unless it's medically necessary, because breast is best, regardless of whether the mother is comfortable with breastfeeding.

There is a fine line to walk in respecting the righs of the mother to make decisions regarding her health, and the health of her child, and in protecting the child.

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Specializes in NICU.
Yet, we perform abortions, allow mothers to smoke/drink during pregnancy without reprocussions, take drugs at delivery and induction that haven't been proven safe on the babies...Given the MYRIAD of issues during pregnancy and childbirth, I hardly find an elective c-section to be the most disturbing...

I mean, by your line of thinking, we should also ban all epidurals, because they have been shown to make labor take longer, and cause other issues in mom and baby, along with pain medications that may/may not cross the placenta. We'll have to be sure to ban all formula unless it's medically necessary, because breast is best, regardless of whether the mother is comfortable with breastfeeding.

There is a fine line to walk in respecting the righs of the mother to make decisions regarding her health, and the health of her child, and in protecting the child.

I said it's the "most disturbing" meaning the most disturbing in this discussion, not the most disturbing out of those other things you mention. Not that I think it's the most disturbing thing EVER. I never commented on any of those other things you mentioned because that's not what we're discussing in this thread.

I know I haven't been a nurse that long and have definitely not seen everything. But by going based on what I see most often, an unnecessary c-section isn't the best start for a baby and to chose that, electively for your baby, is still in my opinion, selfish and not doing what's best for the baby.

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This post is to all of you judging the women who have had lady partsl surgeries to improve the look and "feel" of themselves. Following my 2 lady partsl deliveries (the first ending with a 4th degree) I was so self concious about the way I looked down there I would not let my husband see me. The feeling of intercourse had changed and I could not feel as much (he however had no complaints). I also had some aesthetic changes from the lady partsl deliveries that contributed to my being uncomfortable with the way I looked. When I had my posterior repair, I also had a perineoplasty to improve all of these problems. Had I not needed the posterior repair I think I still would have gone under the knife for the perineoplasty. Since my surgery I am extremely pleased with the results. I look the way I looked before my lady partsl deliveries and i'm thrilled.

My question to the people judging the women who have had these elective lady partsl surgeries........How many of you have had or know people that have had boob jobs, or face lifts? These surgeries improve the way people feel about themselves, so why judge them for it? If someone wants an elective c section and has been informed of the risks of the surgery both to her and the infant than that's her decision.

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

I don't have any daughters, but I know for certain that I would NOT be ok with her getting lipo nor a boob job, the same way I am not for elective primary c/s.

I work in nursery and when I hear that a c/s baby is coming, I automatically hook up the pulse ox & get the O2 ready because these kids are notorious for having respiratory issues due to being born via c/s. Sure, it happens with NSVDs too, but not nearly as often in a normal, mec-free birth.

Yet, we perform abortions, allow mothers to smoke/drink during pregnancy without reprocussions, take drugs at delivery and induction that haven't been proven safe on the babies...Given the MYRIAD of issues during pregnancy and childbirth, I hardly find an elective c-section to be the most disturbing...

No one here is defending abortion (a whole other can of worms), smoking, drug, or alcohol use during pregnancy. The meds that we give during pregnancy we only give if the benefits outweigh the risks, or if there has been no documented evidence of ill effect on the baby. At least this is true where I am, and I'm going to go out on a limb and say it's probably true elsewhere too.

C/section, however, increases the risk of maternal AND neonatal death or illness. Yes, there are good reasons to do it. But not many. And most that I see don't fall into the category of 'good reason'.

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My question to the people judging the women who have had these elective lady partsl surgeries........How many of you have had or know people that have had boob jobs, or face lifts?

Honestly? I poke fun at them, too. Cosmetic surgery is a bit silly to me. Not my cup of tea. Tattoos, however, I love. Is there a difference? Probably not much, except that my tats cost less than some else's boob job. Risks of the procedures could arguably be similar. I'm willing to take the risks for the tats, you were apparently willing to take the risks with the surgery.

Don't get too grumpy, I can poke plenty of fun at myself, too. Wanna hear something even funnier? I don't wear makeup. How crazy is that? I shun applying temporary war paint on a daily basis, but I'll permanently color my body for artistic and expressive reasons?

I guess those inconsistencies are what make us interesting.

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Specializes in rehab-med/surg-ICU-ER-cath lab.

I had my idendical twins natural vag. del. - no drugs, no tears nothing but nursing them both 10 minutes after del. and home in 8 hours. Then 16 months later I prolapsed the cord at home - emergency C/S "naturally" no choice and thank God my son was just fine because I knew what to do to get the pressure off the cord until I got to the hospital. I would del. the twins three times in one day rather than the pain and fatigue of the C/S. But, to all those women that labored for hours and pushed with no results, those with 4 degree tears and emergencys like mine there is no way except a C/S. It is the elective C/S for personal schedules and vanity that really get to me.

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To get back to the original question of whether c-sections are done electively to preserve a lady parts.......I actually saw an OB write in the chart......"elective ceserean chosen to preserve the integrity of the lady parts as seen on the Today show" !!!!!!!!! Apparently there had been a discussion of such on a morning show. Mother's choice and all that aside, I cannot believe that insurance companies are paying the bigger bucks for a c-section as opposed to a lady partsl delivery. That puzzles me no end. I have also seen this same doc write in the chart summary the surgery as "repeat" c-section. Pretty hard to be a repeat when she was a primip. ( So tempted to turn him in for that one !! ) For the record, I had 5 kids ( won't bore anyone with the details ) and I have always had a nice sex life and am NOT incontinent.

Be grateful this doctor wasn't a pediatrician! If s/he was, s/he would probably write prescriptions for ADD meds for any parent who asked for them, without examining the child.

:angryfire

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Specializes in N/A.

From a first time mom's point of view they probably can't imagine pushing a baby out lady partslly. Whereas they see surgeries done all the time. You are put under, get cut, get sewn back up and take awhile to recover... Sure there is some pain during recovery but nothing like the pain of a lady partsl delivery.

I think some unnecessary dots have been connected here:

1. An assumption has been made that the vanity is the only reason for an elective c/s.

2. An assumption has been made that the husband is the one driving the decision because of a selfish pleasure need - that is sexist and those knocking the men should be ashamed of themselves.

I would do the elective c/s for the pain reason mainly. Keeping a tight koochie would only be a side benefit.

As for causing a danger to mom and baby, we have medical procedures done all the time that have some element of risk, often times in the name of pain prevention. Childbirth should be no different.

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

I'm not even sure where to start. I strongly disagree with your entire post, Patton.

You think elective c/s is less painful than a lady partsl birth? Exactly how many patients have you taken care of that say so? I hope you really don't think that "there is some pain during recovery but nothing like the pain of a lady partsl delivery." I hope you are just trying to put yourself in someone else's shoes. If you really believe that, maybe you should come to work with me for a few nights.

Have you seen babies come out struggling to breathe because their lungs are still filled with fluid that would have otherwise gotten squeezed out during a lady partsl birth? They are pale, or blue, they are grunting (a classic sign of resp distress in newborns) and they often need oxygen. Sometimes they have to go to NICU. That is not good. NICU care is expensive, it's scary for the parents, it's traumatic for the babies (they are separated from their moms, the only source of comfort they know), and often a stay of any length in NICU hinders what would otherwise be a fine start to breastfeeding.

Sorry, but childbirth IS different than say an appendectomy for a number of reasons, the first of which is that childbirth involves bringing a human being into this world that did not ask to be conceived. And you have to consider his/her needs too. Second, childbirth results in the creation of a family, more often than not. And these families need to take care of their new child. Caring for a child after a vag delivery is peanuts compared to after a c/s in probably 98% of the moms I have seen.

A c/s because you don't want to feel pain is indeed a vanity reason. A fear of lady partsl birth is NOT an indication for surgery. It is an indication for education. I think I've said what I need to say.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
From a first time mom's point of view they probably can't imagine pushing a baby out lady partslly. Whereas they see surgeries done all the time. You are put under, get cut, get sewn back up and take awhile to recover... Sure there is some pain during recovery but nothing like the pain of a lady partsl delivery.

I think some unnecessary dots have been connected here:

1. An assumption has been made that the vanity is the only reason for an elective c/s.

2. An assumption has been made that the husband is the one driving the decision because of a selfish pleasure need - that is sexist and those knocking the men should be ashamed of themselves.

I would do the elective c/s for the pain reason mainly. Keeping a tight koochie would only be a side benefit.

As for causing a danger to mom and baby, we have medical procedures done all the time that have some element of risk, often times in the name of pain prevention. Childbirth should be no different.

Reading your personal profile explained why you hold such an opinion.:uhoh3:

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