With a 30% cesarean rate in the United States, expectant mothers have an uphill battle to have a vaginal birth when the provider recommends a cesarean.
Years ago the only time a woman would have a cesarean would be there were risks to either her or her baby. In fact, the cesarean rate in the 1970's was only about 5% of all births. Now nearly 30 years later, cesarean rates across the world are climbing, with the cesarean rate in the US very close to the top of the list at 30%.
We can no longer assume that cesareans are being done due to strictly emergency situations. The most common reasons for a cesarean are for a stalled or non-progressing labor or because of a previous cesarean. Only a small handful of mothers are choosing or electing to have a cesarean without an indicated risk. And very few cesareans are currently performed because of emergencies.
What if you are pregnant and getting close to your due date and your doctor recommends that you have a cesarean? Perhaps the size of the baby is measuring big due to a recent ultrasound. What dhould you do? Here are some questions to ask your provider should he or she recommend that you have a cesarean without a medical reason:
1. If a cesarean is recommended due to the baby's size, how accurate is an ultrasound to measure the baby's weight?
2. Is it possible to consider an induction prior to doing a cesarean?
3. Would the provider be patient for you to have a long labor or use a variety of pushing positions if the baby is larger?
Remember that how you give birth not only affects your recovery but also how you give birth to your next baby.
Brenda
