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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that some MNers are just a tweensy bit biased when it comes to elective CS?

371 replies

youcannotbeserious · 26/06/2008 17:06

Why is it, when anyone ever posts that they want an elective CS / considering going private, LOTS of MNers start going on about the risks (I appreciate that they exist and, to be fair, they are explained in detail by the consultant and you have to sign a waiver so you are fully aware of them) and needing to be in an NHS hospital 'just in case' and you wouldn't want to be in one of those pesky private hospitals, but the same never gets said for home births which, as far as I can see, must have a reasonably equal risk of needing to go to transfer to a hospital?

Why is it that Elec. CSs are so frowned upon?

I'm genuinely curious - I had to defend my 'birth plan' several times here on MN - and I don't honestly see why it's so emotive... Should I run for it now?

OP posts:
WideWebWitch · 26/06/2008 17:09

Because it is fact that sections are more dangerous than planned and uncomplicated vaginal birth, whether at home or in hospital.

Statistically a planned home birth is as safe as hospital birth.

So to answer your question, they go on about the risks because they exist and it's erm, true.

wasabipeanut · 26/06/2008 17:10

Well I guess most of it is based on experience.

I had an emergency cs and can't imagine for the life of me why someone would undertake one voluntarily. Having said that some people are really positive.

All you can do is go on your experience which is why I would advise against selective cs unless there was a very strong, medically sanctioned reason otherwise.

OrmIrian · 26/06/2008 17:12

In fact I've never met so many people who have had ECs than I have on MN. I know only one in rl. Generally it seems to be an accepted 'fact' that ECs are more risky - whether they are or not. On MN I would say it's more equal.

lulumama · 26/06/2008 17:12

there have been plenty of anti home birth threads and comments too.. with comments like women are selfish for having a home birth as it takes staff of labour wards etc...

elective c.sections are not a risk free, pain free alternative to a vaginal birth

a c.section carries risks, risks that can affect future pregnancies too.

no birth is risk free, but major abdominal surgery as a choice , for no medical or psychological reason just seems counter intuitive as a birth choice for me

itati · 26/06/2008 17:12

Because a section is a major operation and I can't see how anyone would choose to have one, having had an emergency section myself, unless of course the baby is at risk but then it would be more of an emergency.

Original poster
youcannotbeserious · 26/06/2008 17:12

But are planned CSs more dangerous?

emergency CS - yes, I grant you, but Elec? I have NEVER heard of anyone having a bad experience with an elective CS but the few friends of mine whove delivered naturally have had some terrible experiences...

I mean, there must be reason people are prepared to pay for it, surely?

OP posts:
sarah293 · 26/06/2008 17:13

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WideWebWitch · 26/06/2008 17:13

Yes, PLANNED cs are more dangerous that vaginal birth. Look it up. Really.

WideWebWitch · 26/06/2008 17:14

Sorry to hear that riven.

Original poster
youcannotbeserious · 26/06/2008 17:16

Hi Riven, I'm sorry about that too. I've read your story before and this thread is not meant to be insensitive.

OP posts:
sarah293 · 26/06/2008 17:17

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sarah293 · 26/06/2008 17:18

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lulumama · 26/06/2008 17:19

a planned c.s still has risks.

eg baby not been through any labour so can be slower to breathe at birth.

can i ask why you elected for a c.s? and if it was for tokophobia, did you have any counselling?

itati · 26/06/2008 17:21

I hadn't even gone in to labour when I had my emergency section and my son was flat on delivery. He wasn't in a very good way and wouldn't have survived without the op so it can be a very good thing.

sarah293 · 26/06/2008 17:22

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SheikYerbouti · 26/06/2008 17:22

Thing is though, in the majority of cases, elective css are carried out because of an assessment of the risks to mother and child of a natural birth.

I bet "too posh to push" is a factor in 0.1% of cases.

I also think that presuming women who have elective sections are too posh to push, or lazy is a misogynistic and stunted view (not saying that about MN in partic, mainoy from my own experince)

ILikeToMoveItMoveIt · 26/06/2008 17:23

From my pvo I would query someone's reason for a elec cs because I don't believe the full list of con's are properly explained to the majority of woman by the Ob's, and I am talking from experience as I had a emcs.

So I'm not against cs's per se, but I'm against most of the reasons why people are told to have them. Which is more of a slur on the medical establishment rather than the woman who are trusting the medical professionals to make the best choice for them iyswim.

I don't have a grudge against private care at all, but if I was to have a cs I would prefer a NHS hospital as they have Intensive Care units and blood banks - two things that private hospitals don't have.

During a hb you would be transferred to a hospital before things went pear shaped, I'm not sure that is the case if you were in a private hospital and needed to be transferred to a NHS one.

Also having surgery in a private hospital would probably make it more likely that you would need ICU care and blood, than if you were having a homebirth, just by the fact you were undergoing a surgical procedure.

If you feel your birth plan is right for you and is made from an informed position then there is no need to defend it.

BouncingTurtle · 26/06/2008 17:23

My SIL had a planned section for her 2nd baby, as strongly advised by her consultant. She'd had an emcs with her baby.
She unfortunately had an absolutely appalling experience. However I believe she is in the minority.
The thing is the recovery time is longer with a cs (whether planned or unplanned) and I guess this is what plays on people's minds - whether it is worth the long recovery just to have a straight forward, controlled, delivery. A CS is more resource intensive- though this should never be the first consideration when a decision is being made how to give birth.

lulumama · 26/06/2008 17:23

there is absolutely no doubt c.section , whether emergency..have had one myself..and planned, have a rightful place in obstetrics.

however, c.s was origionally a life saving procedure, and now it is almost seen as a right and a matter of convenience and consumer choice.. which is valid to a point, but a lot of the time the risks are glossed over and the convenience and control are highlighted.

WHO recommends a c.s rate of around 15 % max , many hospitals getting closer to 26 + %

women are starting to fear vaginal birth, which is a very thing IMO

lulumama · 26/06/2008 17:24

sorry, not you riven, that question was to the OP. i have read your story before and it is heart breaking, and i am sorry.

Twiglett · 26/06/2008 17:24

itati ... there are other reasons to have an elective CS other than a threat to the baby you know

youcannotbeserious .. csections are complicated and are major abdominal surgery .. you get the pain afterwards and there can be serious complications including death .. but there can be with any form of birth.

Elective CS are frowned upon by many MNers because they think that its not a choice that should be made for light reasons.. if you have a decent reason then fair enough you'll get all the support you're looking for .. if you're doing it because you're scared of natural labour MNers will try to talk you round.. but if its a true phobia I'm sure you'll find them supportive.

I've had 2 ECS myself .. they aren't a walk in the park

SheikYerbouti · 26/06/2008 17:25

But I have never met a woman who had a CS because she thought it her right. It was after careful consideration of the risks posed by vaginal birth.

And I live in a city where TPTP should be rife.

itati · 26/06/2008 17:25

I know that.

Tortington · 26/06/2008 17:25

errrm its becuase you aint got chickens

stupid

sarah293 · 26/06/2008 17:25

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