OBs doing unnecessary C-Sections and inductions

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

I have read a lot of nurses talking about how obstetricians will perform unnecessary C-sections or will induce while there isn't a medical need. I find this very unethical and I am looking to write a paper about this in my healthcare ethics class. I hope to bring this issue up and make others aware of it so that hopefully someday in the near future this can be taken care of. What I was wondering is, do any of you know where I can find an actual article that is written about this? I have to have an article to go along with my paper. Any links would be great thank you! Also any thoughts oer comments on this subject are very welcome.

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You can find a lot of articles on the ICAN website, but there won't be med journal articles. I guess it depends on what type of source you are looking for, but the ICAN website will definitely be anti-unnecessary c-section/induction/intervention.

http://www.ican-online.org/

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Specializes in L&D.
do any of you know where I can find an actual article that is written about this? Any links would be great

:yeah: and when you get some links and resources, please be sure to share them with the rest of us!

elective inductions are the norm where I work....and we labor nurses HATE this!

Haze

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We have two docs in my hospital, and older, seasoned doc and a younger doc. Well the older doc rarely does c-sections/inductions, but our younger doc does them ALL the time, as soon as they get to 38 weeks, he talks inductions, and he'll blame it on "maternal discomfort". It drives us NUTS. We joke that he wants a 9-5 job, if you arent delivered by 5, you get sectioned. One of my coworkers has an article, I think she found it from a newspaper though about elective inductions. I had my two kids at a large tertiary care center and they did NOT do inductions/sections unless you had a medical reason, which is how it should be.

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There was just an article about the increase of maternal deaths in CA. It talks about the increase of c-sections and inductions. Hope this helps

http://californiawatch.org/health-and-welfare/more-women-dying-pregnancy-complications-state-holds-report

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We have two docs in my hospital, and older, seasoned doc and a younger doc. Well the older doc rarely does c-sections/inductions, but our younger doc does them ALL the time, as soon as they get to 38 weeks, he talks inductions, and he'll blame it on "maternal discomfort". It drives us NUTS. We joke that he wants a 9-5 job, if you arent delivered by 5, you get sectioned. One of my coworkers has an article, I think she found it from a newspaper though about elective inductions. I had my two kids at a large tertiary care center and they did NOT do inductions/sections unless you had a medical reason, which is how it should be.

We have a local doc kind of like that. He is an older man and if he is planning on going on vacation, he will schedule you for an induction. My friend had him for both of her youngest children and both of them nearly died after birth from being delivered too early. But, she thinks he walks on water and does no wrong...

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Specializes in Holistic and Aesthetic Medicine.

It's interesting to hear L & D nurses opinions on this topic. Thanks for sharing.

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Too many women today are "scheduling" births, b/c they are not comfortable, b/c they can, they don't want to be pregnant anymore. I have had pts who after a couple of hrs of labor have asked for a section! We are pregnant for 40 wks for a reason, the body naturally goes into labor when it is ready, not when we are ready. There is a huge difference in labor b/w a women who comes naturally in labor vs a women who has to be pitted all day.. but that is just my opinion and I have only been an L&D nurse for 9 months..

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sahm02, you are absolutely right. Every day I hear women talking about how they wish their doctor would "hurry up and take this baby!". They act like having a baby 6 weeks early is no big deal.

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thank you everyone for your advice and links. i will have to post my paper when it is all finished. i think that it is ridiculous that so many women now a days get the choice when their babies are born. my cousin got to pick when her son was born and thought it was the coolest thing and guess what, her baby was born too soon. to jennf83 i wonder if this is a trend in younger doctors or if older doctors do it just as much. it's something i will have to find out. once again thank you everybody!

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When I had my 4th baby I was offered a c-section for no reason at all. I had 3 previous natural delveries and was having no problems. I still dont understand why the Dr asked me if I wanted a c-section.

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Specializes in Cardiology, Oncology, Medsurge.

Interesting personal story regarding this subject:

My wife was a week out of the time she "should" deliver; the obstetrician said she would have to induce and that the baby (my daughter) from the look of it on the ultrasound would be a back labor, oh joy.

Well, I was talking to an acquaintance prior to my going into work, for I worked retail and the place opened at 0900, those were the days! Anyway, he was an MD (this is way before I'd thought of becoming a nurse) and he had said that he got out of medicine, had a ton of bitter experiences.

Anyhow, he told me that he didn't believe in "the christian style of prayer" but would send positive vibes our way during his meditation.

So, after my wife began contractions, following her consuming a dish of green jello and pears, we went into the hospital and five hours later she entered the world. No back labor and no induction!! Amazing.

Oh, and the obstetrician wasn't around to deliver the kid!

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