The Observer's health editor says women ought to have C-sections instead of vaginal delivery.

[dizietsma]

\link{http://society.guardian.co.uk/health/news/0,,1723873,00.html\link to article}

I'm appalled. I haven't read it all the way through yet, but you can bet your bottom dollar I'll be writing to the Observer to complain about this shocking and irresponsible opinion piece.

She does say that, I quote " our Health Editor says that it's time for women to consider surgical births as the best for mother and baby "

oh people lvoe a consipiracy theory

bonkers IMO

Actually, my c-section did not really hurt beyond the first day. I saw women with sections who walking comfortably within a day. I was not so lucky but even then, was up and about within 24 hours. Did not need painkillers beyound the second/third day. I could certainly drive within a week (though chose not to). My point is - the recovery is not THAT bad. And apart from my dd's medical issues, I had no problems establishing b-fing once we left the hospital - it was a walk-in-the-park for me. So different from what I thought it would be, after my NCT class.

Mu SIL had a natural birth and 3rd degree tear. She was fine the first few weeks but ended up crying in pain months and months after, with multiple visits to GP etc. In hindsight, I thought I lucked out.

Paolosgirl, yes, it is is highly medicalised form of birth. BUT compared to my induced birth with me tied up to monitors/CT scans and drips and agonising internals every few hours, I know what I will go for if I had to do it all again. I said in my earlier posts, I wanted an active pain relief free birth. But a water birth was out of the question (due to dd's issues) and ended up with an induction (which I still question the necessity for) and ultimately crash section. It is not ideal, but the section, I realised, is also not the end of the world. If I had gone elective (rather than induction), it would have been closer to heaven.

So sectioning (for being 10 days overdue or otherwise) is really fine, IMO, based on my experience of induction.

Uwila, the cord being wrapped around the baby's neck isn't necessarily a problem, expect Snafu or a midwife will correct me if I'm wrong but I seem to think it's resolvable. Oh, so you think NICE write biased reports based on cost? OK, so where can we find the medical truth then?

Absolutely - the NHS is full of men who are out to cause as much distress to women as possible, whilst saving a few bob

I thought it was just a fact that c sections carry a higher risk (measured by mortality rate) for mothers and babies?

It isn't a conspiracy. The NHS has a limited budget on which to operate. And so of course it has to balance the cost of treatments against the value to the public. Look the news articles on trust that are in debt, waitng lists, etc. It's all about cost.

if this baby stays breech I'll have a c-section, if it doesn't I'll have it at home.

have had two vaginal births, one awful, one fab.

I'll let you know the results of my one woman survey in May

Blushoes = you're very lucky that your section didn't hurt beyond the first day - that's your experience. My first vaginal labour (12 hours, ventouse, gas and air, my choice) hurt for weeks - my second didn't hurt for more than a few hours. That's my expereince.

The point is, everyone has a different story, but for a journalist to purport that the way forward in this day and age, is to make surgiacl births the norm is crazy.

Uwila - you have to also factor in risk and benefit into the equation. Health economics is a bit more complex than cost v. value.

My 3am crash section was due to the baby being wrapped up in the cord. It was definately a problem.

Yes, of course. But cost is a factor. Of course it is. It has to be.

A medically required section then, which normal intervention from the midwife couldn't (and shouldn't) have stopped. No-one is arguing against that! It's the ascertain that all births should be surgical as a matter of course that's being questionned.

Where's your evidence though Uwila? How do you know that vaginal birth is currently recommended over c section because of cost and not because of clinical judgement as per the guidelines I posted?

Absolutely paolosgirl, Uwila, no-one thinks there's anythnig wrong with life saving emergency sections!

Have to leave this now...sick kids are calling - damn!

Uh, I'm not sure that's my interpretation of the article. I think she is saying we should be more willing to consider them. And that they should be regarded as a good thing. Primarily they are safer than an emergency sections, so that risk should come into the equation.

Just to clarify, I don't think first time mums with no anticipated complications shoudl be convinced to go have sections against their will. I do think, all of the options, all of the risk, and all of the benefits should be presented to everyone. And the mum should make in informed choice on what she wants.

chill out uwila

no one is suggesting that your birth wasn't a medical necessity

and noone has a problem with that but to suggest all births should be c-section is crazy

I dont think I would have EVER had three kids if I was expected to have a c-section for each one! I find the idea quite abhorrent but obviously I will go through it if I have to for the sake of my baby.

Uwila, she says, and I quote " our Health Editor says that it's time for women to consider surgical births as the best for mother and baby " My italics.

Enid, don't thinkI'm in need of chilling out. Just putting my point of view across -- calmly, I thought.

And I think it you ask fo baby to be delivered staight to your chest they can/will. I had DS by elective section last may and I made a couple of special requests, which they were very accommodating of.

no sorry no chillage required

patronising of me (I am good at that )

WWW, it just says they should consider it. And it doesn't explicitly say all women, though I'd be willing to accept that all is probably implied.

Anyway, I read that as think about it, not as go have a section no matter what.

No probs, Enid.

Where are you having your May delivery? When are you due?

Hope your baby turns Enid - when is it due?