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.

it is breech now, I am 33 wks

Aren't you supposed to wash the kitchen floor on all fours to get them to turn?

Still some time then - all the best

Notice our differing approaches there Uwila

Every woman should have choice - remembering C-sections are not an easy option - it really hurts after, you will be weak for 6 weeks - probabaly be anemic,at risk of infection and other surgical complications - a 6 inch deep cut across the tummy is exactly that - had two now! - in my last labour I was 10 cm dilated when I was wheeled to theatre being yelled at not to push! (they feared my previous scar was going to split) I laugh about it now as most things work out postitivly in the long run - and all is well with me and dd xxxxx She well worth it all xxxx

Oh, I peeked at your May thread, Enid. You are due 30 of April. My lovely lovely lovely granny's birthday was 30 April. It is a fab day. If it's a girl, you can name her Margaret for my lovely granny. (who was no where near as outspoken and irritating as I am so you would have liked her).

lol

rather like Maggie actually

well if its a c-section it will be before that date, if left to nature will no doubt be late

A NHS conspiracy theory? For patients to not recieve the best care and best decisions? Rubbish. They would get their arses sued off in years to come if it was all 'revealed.'

Pants.

""We are fast approaching the point where logically we should encourage women to have a caesarean whether or not they have a medical or psychological reason for wanting one. This is because women are having babies later and because the babies themselves are becoming bigger.""

Oh this really annoyed me. All surgery carries a risk. Of course women are designed to have natural births. Yes of course there are circumstances when a CS is vital, but to suggest that it is PREFERABLE is lunatic. Babies may be getting bigger, but so are women! Look in a class of teenage girls for the evidence of that.

My section didn't hurt and I wasn't in too much pain afterwards, but getting in and out of bed was shite, especially when home and not having a mechanical bed to help. As I said before, I plan to have another baby and hope to have a VBAC.

My mums 5ft tall and used to weigh abotu 8 1/2 stone. She had three kids weighing 8lbs 9, 10lbs 3 and 9lbs 10, all natural and I was a breech birth too (the 10lb 3oz one), so saying that women aren't designed to give birth naturally is poppycock, if my ma can deliver three huge babies from her tiny frame, anyone can do it!!

If anybody is still reading... driving before 6 weeks isn't recommended because if you have to do an emergency stop it could cause you a lot of damage. I spoke to my insurance company, they said they didn't have a X week rule, but my insurance would be invalidated if the doctor hadn't given me the go ahead to drive. And as you see the doctor at your 6 week check, that's where the 6 week rule comes from.

yes remember a vaginal birth can be as 'easy' as - lots of pain, push, baby comes out, no tears and no stitches.

therefore why on earth recommend a c-section for someone who doesnt need one?

Uwila- "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."

Actually the article explicity says that all women should consider C-Sections- "In this personal and passionate article our Health Editor says that it's time for women to consider surgical births as the best for mother and baby". I think you're being purposefully obtuse if you interpret that as advocating choice- it's clearly not. My outrage at this article was not that some women choose C-Sections, but that a journalist thinks all women should have C-Sections because they are in some way better.

Before giving birth I was assured by the midwives in my NHS antenatal classes that in the large majority of cases when the cord is wrapped around the baby's neck it is not too difficult to sort out. And for the record my DD was born vaginally with the cord wrapped around her neck, it was not problem, the midwife asked me to stop pushing and pant as she cut the cord- problem solved! I appreciate that some circumstances are more acute than others, though.

I think it's very sad that many first time mothers are so scared of vaginal birth and I place blame firmly at the door of scaremongerers like this irresponsible journalist.

Ok, her after more careful reading, her view is rather extreme. I on the other hand don't think everyone should have a caesarean. I just think that, after careful reserch, if a mother requests one, it should be granted. It is a bit too much to say everyone should have one no matter what.

However, I still think that this is no more obsurd that articles like the recent one which stated that women should start paying for epidurals. Whilst this view is too extreme even for me, I think it balance out current debates on childbirth because some are too far the other way. Somewhere in the middle is I believe where we should be.

Wish Aloha was here.

Just feel I have to dip into this thread, as am booked in for second c/section in May, both my choice with no medical reasons. I am a strong supporter of women being allowed to have the birth they want, whatever that may be.

Out of interest, is there any evidence of women requesting a c/section but being turned down?

Is this on the NHS, Nic?

Nic33, I can't remember who, but I did recently read a post where someone was turned down.

I had to put forward my case firmly. If I were the sort who is easily persuaded I probably would have been talked out of it by both the midwives and the doctors at Queen Charlotte.

Uwila, I'm glad we agree that this article was extreme.

I think it's a shame that women who have had C-Sections feel defensive about their birth choices and experiences, that's something I'm definately getting from some of these responses in this thread.

IMO every woman should be able to make an balanced and informed choice on how they give birth and not feel pressured into anything they aren't happy with and it is this that I think we all want, right?

Perhaps the core of this issue is that maternity services are not centred enough on the needs of the mother? During my pregnancy and birth I certainly felt that I wasn't listened to and my choices were not respected.

Quite, dizietsma. Uwila, blimey, she must be if you agree she's extreme!

Yes, both NHS. Like you Uwila, I had to be pretty firm the first time, but have just had no problems booking the second one, not even a slight quibble.

I suppose you are right Dizie. I am probably one of those who get a bit defensive. I get a bit fed up having to defend a section. And I must admit that whilst it is a bit silly to say that everyone should go have one, I did find it refreshing reading. I thought right it's about time someone put forward this side of the argument.

Does there have to be one right way to give birth? Or could the NHS develop a guideline that weighs heavily on maternal preference?

would be crap for me I did not tear or need any stitches so had no injury at all and a C-section would have been an useless operation, those who need and want it should have it those who don't want or need it should not - easy. no need for extreme generalisations

Uwila - I thought yours was a crash section?

I don't think anyone is questionning the need for a medical section (whether for physical or psychological reasons), but this article is not about that - it's about saying that surgical deliveries are the way forward, and that's utter tosh.

It was the second one I had to be firm on. The first one was a very unplanned emergency.

I can completely understand your reluctance to have a vaginal delivery after your previous trauma, but knowing the risks associated with a routine section for mother and baby, I think the NHS have got it right at the moment.