Woman Calls C-Section "Rape"

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

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?

Interestingly enough, I used that very statement just the other day to describe how I felt about my c-section. I had a complete placenta previa with my 1st daughter. I understood the reasoning of the section, I planned for it, I prayed for a healthy baby. With my second, I was still young - 22 yrs - explained in depth to my OB how important a non-medicated, lady partsl birth was to me, how I had read every book I could find, how I studied the different methods, how this experience was a "rite of passage" for me.

I was young, I was naive, I thought Dr's knew everything and I was completely dis-empowered - fearing to say no". After being on pit (which I was against), I was told after 7 hrs that I would be getting a section. What was being done to my body was against my will - yet I was terrified to fight it. I was never given the option, never given any alternative choices,never empowered to make my own decision. I was victimized. My rights were taken from me, I was drugged and cut open. Yes indeed, I felt raped. I became a Doula to prevent that from happening to any other woman that I could possibly help.

Was no one else in class the day they talked about the right to self determination? Patients have a right to refuse procedures, period. Our policies can't change that. We can have the policy to protect ourselves, or docs can have the policy to protect themselves, but if the client refuses, forcing or frightening them into surgery is battery.

Specializes in Emergency Department.
Was no one else in class the day they talked about the right to self determination?

Which class? Nursing class or mommy-to-be class?

Specializes in PICU, NICU, L&D, Public Health, Hospice.

I must admit that I read the post about the "saggy butt" and laughed out loud...actually gave it kudos cuz I thought it was funny and probably meant to be funny rather than authoritative. I was an OB nurse for a number of years. I watched OBs make Csection decisions based upon quite a number of things including the time of day, generally excluding the preggers woman in the consideration...the OB decision was made and he/she next engaged in obtained consent (sales and marketing skills helpful here). The bottom line is this...there ARE docs who don't have a concept of someone other than themselves deciding what is BEST for the patient(s)...they believe that their opinion is the ONLY opinion that matters. You work long enough in nursing and you will meet those docs in every specialty. Those ego-centric OBs may find themselves in a pickle with informed, empowered women. It is possible to have a safe VBAC in the home setting as well as in the hospital setting. The entire concept of advocating birth in a hospital setting is based upon immediate access to emergent care in the event of a serious problem....uhhhh...how does a hospital with a birth unit provide that access if they can't even perform emergency C-Sections??? In the absence of that ability why not deliver at home? You can do IVs there, monitor there, give meds there...heck about the ONLY thing you can't do in the home is an emergency CS...but then the hospital apparently can't either. We would be better for it if 2 things that are routinely done in the hospital became home events...birth and death.

APGAR-do you think we have the right to make decisions on the patient's behalf?

Specializes in Emergency Department.
APGAR-do you think we have the right to make decisions on the patient's behalf?

No, what inspires the question?

The "method" of delivery can have a lot to DO with the outcome of delivery- for both mother and baby. Risks of surgery shouldn't be taken so lightly.

This woman has had three children- first was lady partsl, second was c/s, and third was lady partsl (VBAC). Now she should consent to another c/s, just because the hospital has decided that they would now prefer that? When just two years ago they "let" her VBAC?

Preaching to the choir. I was diagnosed with PTSD after a lady partsl delivery. The hospital that performed the delivery was under review because they were doing too many sections for what was percieved to be the doctors convenience. I had the misfortune to go into labour on Wednesday night and deliver Friday morning. Friday being the day that "too" may sections were performed. I wound up needing corrective surgery to repair the damage done during that delivery. Diagnosed first with PPD and then finally PTSD. It took me years to even consider another pregnancy, then I was deemed to be high risk and told where I could deliver and what my options would be if plan A failed.

If they had done the damned section in the first place, I would have been spared a psychiatric stay, a couple of gynie procedures to repair the damage caused by high forceps and my last child would have been born sooner.

So don't tell me that I take the risks of surgery lightly.

Specializes in Cardiac Care, Palliative Care.

I thought this woman didn't give birth yet. Isn't she still pregnant? Some posts is stating that she was forced to have a c-section therefore it is rape. But the woman have the choice to go to a different facility that will grant her wish of having a lady partsl delivery. She isn't forced to give birth at that facility.

For example: when I wasn't happy with my ob-gyn because she was telling me I needed a procedure I didn't think I needed, I went to a different facility-different md for a second opinion, and was satisfied- stree free. I wasn't going to go into legal matters to force this md to agree with my opinion on what I should or should not have done to my body.

This woman have to option to choose whatever facility she wants to give birth-she is not "forced" to do anything.

Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

I can't remember the post now but someone mentioned our right to refuse treatment, well if she is court ordered to have the C Section can she still refuse? I am thinking if she is court ordered they will FORCE the C Section.

I was talking about this with a different group of people and it seemed like everyone was so quick to bash this woman. I got the feeling of a C Section is no big deal blah blah blah.

It amazes me that so many people are up in arms about their jobs FORCING them to get a H1N1 Flu Vaccine or lose their jobs, but it's not a big deal to force someone to have a C Section. I can't get my head around that. Some of the people I talked to that dogged this woman for this were the same people that felt their rights were violated to be forced into a shot that can have the potential to have severe adverse effect.

It seems like in today's society we are quick to talk down about someone's rights being violated until it's our own rights being stepped on.

This woman has had a successful VBAC their is no reason she should not be allowed to have another one. That said, if the hospital is not willing to accommodate she should make preparation to deliver somewhere that will. Although as mentioned, any hospital that is delivering babies should be equipped to handle emergency c sections because they are a part of having babies in this day and age.

To try and get a court order to force this woman to have surgery for their convenience is absurd and despicable IMO

No, what inspires the question?

Your response to my post. Perhaps I misread it, but it seemed you were making fun of the idea of self-determination in healthcare.

Then again, I have the flu so I could be completely blittered.

I thought this woman didn't give birth yet. Isn't she still pregnant? Some posts is stating that she was forced to have a c-section therefore it is rape. But the woman have the choice to go to a different facility that will grant her wish of having a lady partsl delivery. She isn't forced to give birth at that facility.

For example: when I wasn't happy with my ob-gyn because she was telling me I needed a procedure I didn't think I needed, I went to a different facility-different md for a second opinion, and was satisfied- stree free. I wasn't going to go into legal matters to force this md to agree with my opinion on what I should or should not have done to my body.

This woman have to option to choose whatever facility she wants to give birth-she is not "forced" to do anything.

That choice may not be much more than theoretical. There is only one hospital within 100 miles of my home with a L&D unit. That limits choices for all the women in the county.

Specializes in Emergency Department.
Your response to my post. Perhaps I misread it, but it seemed you were making fun of the idea of self-determination in healthcare.

Then again, I have the flu so I could be completely blittered.

I guess I could be poking fun at the tone of your comment, not the idea, of self-determination, because women don't get classes in self-determination during pregnancy, they get pamphlets, books, and classes on how to ask their doctors what is best for them. They get tours of hospitals that tell them how it's going to work for them while they're there. In all the planned hospital births I've attended, I've only had one doctor provide a semblance of self-determination to the patient and that was after the nurse told her she'd be in bed for the duration of her pitocin induction, could have clear fluids only, and needed constant monitoring. The doctor interrupted her to say the patient was an adult in the hospital, not jail, and could do whatever she liked.

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