Woman Calls C-Section "Rape"

[c3p0]

http://www.lemondrop.com/2009/10/05/woman-compares-forced-c-section-to-rape/?icid=main|aim|dl6|link4|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lemondrop.com%2F2009%2F10%2F05%2Fwoman-compares-forced-c-section-to-rape%2F

My mother gave birth to me via emergency C-section after 18 intense hours of labor (it took the doctors that long to realize my mom's hips were too narrow for giving birth), when her (and my) vitals began to tank. My younger sister was a planned C-section, both because of hospital policy (not allowing lady partsl births after a C-section) and because there was almost no chance my mom could give birth to her lady partslly, even if she had wanted to.

On the other hand, my sister-in-law had a C-section with my nephew, because he had been diagnosed with gastroschisis. But four years later, she lady partslly gave birth to my beautiful niece, with no problems whatsoever. As you can see, the hospital had no such policy about the C-Sections.

Whether or not someone wants a C-Section, that can be left to debate. That is not the issue I found in this article. The issue I found is that someone compared a C-Section to rape! How on Earth can you justify something like that? I understand that some women feel incredibly disappointed that their wishes aren't being taken into consideration, but the fact of the matter is that hospitals have these policies for a reason. Yes, part of it is to cover their own tails and prevent lawsuits, but why would there be lawsuits in the first place? Risks and/or harm to the patient? Gee, there's a thought. Rape is an act of violence, and of dominating power over your victim. How is that in any way comparable?

My personal opinion... Yes, when I do have children, I would like to give birth lady partslly. But if I ever find myself in a place where my medical staff are telling me that I need to have a C-Section, do it! Anything to keep my baby and I safe (in that order, for me at least).

Anyone else think that this woman is far out of reach in her logic? Or do you think she's on to something?

[HmarieD]

QUOTE "Whether or not someone wants a C-Section, that can be left to debate. That is not the issue I found in this article. The issue I found is that someone compared a C-Section to rape! How on Earth can you justify something like that? I understand that some women feel incredibly disappointed that their wishes aren't being taken into consideration, but the fact of the matter is that hospitals have these policies for a reason. Yes, part of it is to cover their own tails and prevent lawsuits, but why would there be lawsuits in the first place? Risks and/or harm to the patient? Gee, there's a thought. Rape is an act of violence, and of dominating power over your victim. How is that in any way comparable?"

Ironically, I thought it was pretty far out there, but your argument that rape is an act of violence and of dominating power as an argument against actually struck a chord with me as pretty darn comparable. Slicing someone's body open against their wishes could certainly be considered an act of violence, and if the hospital (per their policy) is forcing the woman to have a c-section, they are certainly exerting their power over her.

I also agree with the statement in the article that if the facility is not equipped to handle an emergency c-section, they should not be delivering babies in the first place. I think she needs to find herself a new hospital and/or OB/GYN.

[Areenn]

"an act of violence and of dominating power as an argument against actually struck a chord with me "

Me too. I had an OB inform me he expected me to have a large baby and had scheduled a csection for a certain date. No conversation as if I had no choice. I told him no, I have had nine pound babies with no problem. He told me not to worry about it it was taken care of. I left the office and by the end of the day had a new OB in my 5th month. It took a few calls but yes you can change physicans late in pregnancy if you are determined. Problem is most people dont know that. I did feel violated, and controlled ,and enraged and I can,t imagine how women feel themselves in labor and unable to stop or change or controll what is done to them at a time they have no choice but to trust those weilding policies and scapels.

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

The issue is that there are, unfortunately, too many doctors that take advantage of women's trust in them. Telling them they 'need' c/sections when they really don't.

I don't see the comparison between a necessary c/s (say, for a complete previa) and rape. However, if there's no good indication for it, she doesn't want one, and she still gets one, then technically that can be considered a violation of her body. Any other surgery performed on someone unnecessarily and against their will can be considered assault/battery. The thing is, it's hard to prove, especially when the doctor has documented things like 'CPD' or 'fetal distress' that may or may not have actually existed, that a section was done unecessarily (though most places keep monitor strips for the record as well). But I think anyone who has been in OB long enough can tell you that it happens.

I'm not out to paint all OBs with the same wide brush. There are plenty out there that won't section unless they absolutely have to (my OB being one of them! ). And then there's my friend's OB - she had had a previous section for failure to progress and her doctor pushed her to schedule a repeat. She very much wanted to VBAC. But because she got to 40 weeks with no labor, he pretty much told her she had no choice but to schedule a section. Why do that, if Lady Placenta is doing what she's supposed to?

[leslie :-D]

i guess i'm not understanding that if a pregnant woman wants a vag birth and ob says c-section, why doesn't she just say NO (after ruling out medical necessity)???

i don't even know about the feasibility of pressing any sort of charges.

by a woman not saying "NO", isn't that a form of consent?

leslie

[lrobinson5]

I think that it is a little bit of a stretch to compare a C-Section to rape. I know it sucks, but this woman can't expect hospital policy to change just for her. I gave birth lady partslly to my daughter and understand why she doesn't want a C-Section if she doesn't think it is necessary. However, that doesn't mean the hospital or the doctor see it as unnecessary. I agree with the other posters, she needs to find a new doctor and a hospital that can accommodate an emergency!

[c3p0]

I think I didn't make myself clear enough in my original post, forgive me.

I agree that this woman has the right to choose whether or not she has a C Section. However, I do not think that these doctors should be compromising their policies to accomodate her. She needs to find a new hospital.

But I still stand by my earlier point that rape and a C-Section are not comparable. I agree with you all that it is incredibly invasive to be cut open against your better wish/will, but I think it's not on the same level as rape.

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

So from what I read, they are trying to get a court order to FORCE her to get a C section, looking at it that way I can absolutely see where she feels like her body is being violated. It appears their only reason for not wanting her to deliver naturally is because she has had a previous c section. That alone IMO does not warrant forcing a woman to have a C Section.

If they do get this court order they are taking away her right to have a new doc or deliver in another hospital or somewhere else. In that case although it seems a bit of a stretch I can see the comparison.

[kristikkc]

It was my experience that my OB was willing to work with me. My dtr was breech so I agreed to the csection. Whin I had my son, I was able to do vbac, although I had to be induced with him. My son was an 8 pounder. I stated I would have a csection with my son if needed but I would rather not if I could avoid it and the OB was agreeable

[CrunchyMama, ASN, RN]

I think I didn't make myself clear enough in my original post, forgive me.

I agree that this woman has the right to choose whether or not she has a C Section. However, I do not think that these doctors should be compromising their policies to accomodate her. She needs to find a new hospital.

But I still stand by my earlier point that rape and a C-Section are not comparable. I agree with you all that it is incredibly invasive to be cut open against your better wish/will, but I think it's not on the same level as rape.

I don't think having a c-section and rape even compare! Having said that, I think our society sucks when it comes to childbirth. We consider birth a medical problem that needs doctors, beds, IVs, induction, etc etc...which then leads to c-sections. I personally think it's BS that more and more hospitals are making it impossible for moms to have a VBAC....just because they get paid more for c-sections. The birth experience is being taken away from moms the more and more interventions occur. It's sad that women don't discover the benefits of natural childbirth until AFTER they've already had a c-section....making the next time a more medical experience. So I'm thinking this mom meant the comparison as in both take away something that a woman cherishes.

[Inspired By Silence]

Here's a genius solution: Nurse midwife can help her give birth at home OR she can take her saggy butt to a different hospital instead of acting like a spoiled brat screaming for a toy.

[Batman24]

I would look into a home birth pronto if I were her. If she can travel a distance I would find another doc and hospital willing to at least try to accomodate her.

Not a fan of forced VBACs nor am I am fan of a hospital not equipped to do an emergency c-section. That is beyond dangerous to mother and baby. If they aren't equipped to perform emergency c-sections they shouldn't be in the delivery business until they can.