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C stands for caesarean not convenience
Posted on Jul 14th 2007 7:00PM by Maggie VinkFiled Under: Diet & Weight Loss
A few years ago a friend of mine was preparing to have her first baby. As most women understandably are, she was pretty freaked out about the thought of labor. During one late night phone call she casually blurted out that she thought she would have a c-section. I asked why. She replied that it was less frightening to her and she just thought it would be better all around. I was so surprised. I had no idea that women could request a c-section; I thought they were only performed when there was a known medical reason or there were complications with vaginal delivery.
It turns out my friend isn't the only one requesting a c-section. A growing number of women are opting for the procedure for the sake of convenience. (Although, if you ask me, a c-section doesn't sound very convenient.) As of 2004 (the most recent data available) c-sections accounted for 29% of all deliveries -- a record high. The "convenience" factor isn't in the surgery itself -- it's major abdominal surgery and can be a difficult recovery, particularly when caring for an infant. But being able to pick the time and date of delivery is tempting for parents. For physicians, a shorter, controlled procedure allows them more flexibility in their already jam-packed schedules.
International studies have shown that a more acceptable rate of c-sections is about 10-15% of births. To combat the growing rate of c-sections in the US, doctors are instructing women in the inherent risks of the procedure.
It turns out my friend isn't the only one requesting a c-section. A growing number of women are opting for the procedure for the sake of convenience. (Although, if you ask me, a c-section doesn't sound very convenient.) As of 2004 (the most recent data available) c-sections accounted for 29% of all deliveries -- a record high. The "convenience" factor isn't in the surgery itself -- it's major abdominal surgery and can be a difficult recovery, particularly when caring for an infant. But being able to pick the time and date of delivery is tempting for parents. For physicians, a shorter, controlled procedure allows them more flexibility in their already jam-packed schedules.
International studies have shown that a more acceptable rate of c-sections is about 10-15% of births. To combat the growing rate of c-sections in the US, doctors are instructing women in the inherent risks of the procedure.
