Death twice as likely by caesarean

[AussieSim]

SMH article

Before I get flamed for posting, the study referred to is in the US and is only of births which were low risk i.e., no good reason why a C-section was required other than maybe perceived 'convenience'/'too posh to push'. It does have some interesting information on the positive effects of a vaginal birth on the newborn, which I haven't seen in too many other places.

I really hate the assumption that women who choose a section because they are "too posh to push"

I've had 2 sections - the first one saved the life of me and DS1.

I had to have an emergency section with my DS when he wa 6 days overdue because his cord was round his neck twice and his heart was slowng down rapidly whenever I had a contraction so after 12 hours of labour I was gutted but dread to tink what would happen. A friend's partner commented that 'he knew I was to much of a wimp to give birth'! Was quite upset at that but will admit yes I ws terrified at the thought of childbirth but wouldn't have asked for a section! My aunt has had 4 babies, 1 elected and 2 emergency section and a VB sadly the VB died during labour at 38 weeks at

I think the term 'emergency caesarian' can cover a range of scenarios.Medically it covers any any operation not planned for in advance,ie undiagnosed breech,meconium stained liquor etc,to a real 'crash' situation like my own. Obviously the more life threatening(to mother or child) the original problem then the more risks are involved.

It would be helpful if there were 3 terms for CS

Unplanned emergency
medically necissitated planned (is that a word?)
Requested planned

I do at people who request them for no medical reason, I think they are mad and it also makes people look unfavourably on those women who have CS for other reasons.

Em Luscs (emergency)
El Luscs (elected)
TPTP Luscs (too posh to push)
TPTP Luscs with Mummytuck (too posh and back in size 6 jeans by the weekend)

Sorry, but it pisses me off when people assume that if you have a Caesarian (for whatever reason) it's basically a cop-out and you're "too posh to push". I was in labour for a good 4 hours before an undiagnosed breech was discovered, and I was advised that a Caesarean was the only safe option for both my baby and myself. Most hospitals won't attempt a vaginal breech birth as the risk is too high. I certainly wouldn't say that a C-section was the "easy" option. The recovery took longer than I'd thought and the surgery leaves you sore and exhausted - especially in the case of an emergency section where you've likely endured several hours of labour already.

For the record, I would opt for an elective section next time - principally because statistically there is a 1 in 200 risk of the scar rupturing if you go for a VBAC: odds I'm not willing to risk.

I thought I'd read somewhere before that planned cs's were safter for mother and child than emergency and crash cs's?

I find it hard to believe that many people would opt for a cs for "no good reason". It's the definition of what constitutes a good reason that people disagree on.

I also nearly died after a crash c/s. I lost 3/4 of my blood and was very ill for some time. Had to go back to theatre after going into severe shock and be reopened and stitched and have lots of blood. This was during my 2nd c/s, 1st one there were no probs. An artery had burst AFTER the op. I would opt for vb anyday given the choice.

After 4 VBs I was shocked to be told I had to have a CS with DC5 last year when they discovered she was breech at the last minute. They told me in the delivery room that CS carried risks for me (gee thanks!) but was safer for the baby.

Someone we knew died "in childbirth" having her 3rd. All I was told was "the waters went up instead of down and she drowned" which didn't make sense to me, but did to a medically minded friend who had also almost died having her first.

I think we forget- because it's such a rare event these days- that not long ago women often died in childbirth. We are lucky that CS is as available and as relatively safe as it is. (and I was very anti CS)

I say it again, the actual risk of mortality for a CS is tiny - may be twice that of a VB, but still tiny.