RCOG considering informing women of the risks of vaginal births

[pinguina16]

Clare Wilson from the New Scientist broke the news last week.

www.sciencealert.com/scientists-say-it-s-time-for-doctors-to-warn-women-of-the-true-risks-of-childbirth

If they decide to properly inform women about the risks to their babies and their own bodies, I view this as a landmark. #righttoknow

Would also yes I think there are some very vocal people promoting a natural birth. Who I think sometimes forget that although childbirth is a natural thing, its just not necessarily safe and medical intervention can be a life saver.

On the cs bit. This is major surgery, with well documented risks to mother and baby. I personally don't think there is evidence in most cases to promote cs above vb.

What I would like is a better understanding of non life threatening consequences of vb. What they are, what they mean for someone living with them, what the likelihood of it happening is. Most importantly not dismissing them as inevitable and getting them properly treated.

I too miss my pre vb vaginally.

Thanks for this OP and thanks Claire for writing.
The poster who asked about BF after a c section- I'm going to guess your chances are higher successfully BF the more professional help you get and staying in hospital for 2 days post op (despite the appalling care) is more help then you'd get at home.

I requested a 2nd c section for the birth of my 2nd child but was pushed into a VBAC. It resulted in an emergency CS following a ruptured uterus, and DS spending 2 weeks on a neonatal ICU with suspected brain damage due to asphyxiation at birth.
For me the risks of a VBAC were played down and I was told a second section would be far riskier. We definitely need accurate information when making these decisions.

lexie I hope you and your son have fully recovered from his difficult start to life. My husband was always really concerned about VBAC and rupture. I was told that although the risks were higher for a VBAC and for a second VB, they were similar to those of a first time mum. However, I never remember being told about that risk when I was a first time mum.

Thanks Always, yes we are both fine. I was never told of any risk the first time either.

On the cs bit. This is major surgery, with well documented risks to mother and baby. I personally don't think there is evidence in most cases to promote cs above vb.

Why?

"On the cs bit. This is major surgery"

Any operation within or upon the contents of the abdominal, pelvic, cranial or thoracic cavities is called a "major surgery". It's a medical term, not an alarmist one.

CS is the most commonly performed major surgery, with risks and recovery much closer to a tonsillectomy than heart surgery.

"with well documented risks to mother and baby"

So does vaginal birth. If you don't know about them, some of us on this thread can give you detailed information. (You might like to give this a miss if you ever want to sleep again)