Why do people get judgemental about epidurals and c-sections?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Its also aggravating that the hospitals and ob/gyns are not practicing evidence based approaches or informing patients why they are recommending an intervention.

It's very aggravating when you don't answer the OP's question and instead lecture all of us on your own agenda. I think you're on the wrong thread. If you want to start a new one titled, "why the medical field doesn't practice evidence-based approaches," GO AHEAD.

[Anonymous]

All I can say is I find all of the judgement about how people give birth ridiculous. It is (usually) one day of your life!! As long as the baby is healthy who cares? I was lucky to have a quick labor, only pushing for 20 minutes. But I can tell you flat out that if it had gone on too long, a C section would have been requested. And you know what, once you have your baby people will be judgemental about all sorts of other things...so let's all relax!!

[Anonymous]

Um, actually I had a similar reaction as 15:36. I don't judge the decision - there are certainly many good reasons to have an elective C. But it is sad and upsetting when I see so many friends and acquaintances agree to a C without being really informed of the consequences, and then having to deal with them afterwards, whether it is a baby in the NICU because of breathing difficulties or having pain from the scar years later.

[Anonymous]

My bias:I had a natural childbirth outside of the hospital (birth center).

My concerns about c-sections:
1. When women end up with them when they aren't really necessary OR desired, for the md's convenience or fear of liability - every woman should be in control of her birth experience, of course within what is healthy and safe.

2. Unnecessary C's are very expensive and add to the general expense of health care for everyone. If I am in the risk pool of health insurance with 10,000 other women, and 3500 of them have c's, it will drive up everyone's premiums.

3. I think that many md's and women are not realistic or honest about the risks and complications of c-sections.

4. It sometimes feels *to me* that there is a societal trend to get c's so that the baby can be scheduled, and / or mom's vajayjay can be preserved. This just rubs me the wrong way.

I could really give a crapola about epidurals, but I don't think they should be pushed on anyone. I feel that lots of women, myself included, feel defensive about making the choice to "go natural", b/c people think I'm nuts, and probably overreact to some degree about those who choose to go in an opposite direction. Ultimately, though, it's your body and your choice, and screw the haters, right?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My bias:I had a natural childbirth outside of the hospital (birth center).

My concerns about c-sections:
1. When women end up with them when they aren't really necessary OR desired, for the md's convenience or fear of liability - every woman should be in control of her birth experience, of course within what is healthy and safe.

2. Unnecessary C's are very expensive and add to the general expense of health care for everyone. If I am in the risk pool of health insurance with 10,000 other women, and 3500 of them have c's, it will drive up everyone's premiums.

3. I think that many md's and women are not realistic or honest about the risks and complications of c-sections.

4. It sometimes feels *to me* that there is a societal trend to get c's so that the baby can be scheduled, and / or mom's vajayjay can be preserved. This just rubs me the wrong way.

I could really give a crapola about epidurals, but I don't think they should be pushed on anyone. I feel that lots of women, myself included, feel defensive about making the choice to "go natural", b/c people think I'm nuts, and probably overreact to some degree about those who choose to go in an opposite direction. Ultimately, though, it's your body and your choice, and screw the haters, right?!

You have too much time on your hands and you worry far too much about other people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Um, actually I had a similar reaction as 15:36. I don't judge the decision - there are certainly many good reasons to have an elective C. But it is sad and upsetting when I see so many friends and acquaintances agree to a C without being really informed of the consequences, and then having to deal with them afterwards, whether it is a baby in the NICU because of breathing difficulties or having pain from the scar years later.

Babies do NOT end up in the NICU because of c-sections. You are insane.

[Anonymous]

If someone wants a c-section and truly knows the risks more power to you. The patients who defend MDs and hospitals that practice bad medicine, .....and rushing into c-sections is bad medicine on all fronts are a problem. Women have a right to a natural birth and frankly should IMO sue the pants off these MDs and staff who push interventions and make up medical reasons. This is fraud IMO. If baby ends up in the NICU because a doc scheduled an elective c-section or induction before the lungs were ready then the MD should lose their license.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
You have too much time on your hands and you worry far too much about other people.

The OP asked why some people are judgmental about C's and epidurals. I responded as someone who could be considered "judgmental" and I thought I gave a fair and honest analysis of that position, even the aspects that don't reflect particularly well on me. What was your problem with my post? Why get nasty?

[Anonymous]

12:38 here again. I don't understand the concern for all those women whose doctors 'force' them into a c-section without giving enough information. Really? I find this victim mentality appalling. Why aren't these women asking for more information? Demanding it? If I had decided I wanted a natural birth, the first thing I would do is find a supportive doctor. The second thing I would do is educate myself and, finally, I would stick to my guns. Perhaps doctors aren't informing patients as to all the details because patients aren't listening or aren't asking for explanations. I doubt that there are still many doctors out there who are unwilling to answer a direct question from a patient. But if that is your doctor, I highly recommend going elsewhere. And if you ask a question and don't understand the answer, keep asking, keep researching.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:According to the NYTimes, more than 90 percent of female ob's choose to have elective c-sections when they give birth themselves.

I'm pretty sure then that basically NONE of them skip the epidural!

Is this true? the article I saw cited "a survey published last year in which 31 percent of female obstetricians in London said that they would choose a Caesarean for themselves in an uncomplicated pregnancy", i.e. two-thirds of female obstetricians would not. Is there some other article you are referring to?

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DEED61330F931A1575AC0A96E958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=2

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its also aggravating that the hospitals and ob/gyns are not practicing evidence based approaches or informing patients why they are recommending an intervention.

Boo hoo.

16:48 & 17:00- it's worse than aggravating that hospitals & docs aren't practicing evidence based approaches. I find it amazing that any patient - let alone a pregnant woman planning to deliver (vaginally, by section, who cares!) - is not concerned (at the least!) that doctors are practicing anything less than evidence based medicine! To respond with a facetious "Boo hoo" is insulting and frankly, shows an ignorance and apathy on your part which is worrying. Do you propose that we, as patients, trust our docs, their recommendations and intentions blindly?

[Anonymous]

I had a csection and it was all fine. What concerns me is women treating giving birth like planning a wedding. The most important thing is healthy mom and healthy baby--if you can get that with natural childbirth great, epidoral great, csection great. What I imagine is annoying is people who haven't gone to medical school and who have read some stuff on the Internet or maybe taking a one class telling a doc how to practice medicine. Bottom line is what one poster has already said--find a doctor you have a grea repor with and trust that person--if you don't trust them to be looking after your best interest, you will obviously second guess everything they say. FYI--I think doctors who schedule csections around dinner plans is an unfair statement--there is just too much liability to be that loose with the rules of medicine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As an elective c-section mom, I can tell you that the baby comes out perfect, no squished head and without trauma.

The idea of having major elective surgery and introducing the accompanying medical risks to your baby as well as to yourself so that your baby looks "perfect" when it comes out really troubles me. The "trauma" of birth for the baby has a FUNCTION for the baby's health - it stimulates the baby and squeezes the excess amniotic fluid from its lungs and other tissues and organs - SO THAT IT CAN BREATHE when it emerges from the birth canal. That's why c-section babies have to be suctioned so aggressively, etc.

In addition the idea of choosing major elective surgery and introducing the accompanying medical risks to your baby and yourself so that your vagina won't stretch or need stitches doesn't just trouble me, it disgusts me. It evidences such an incredible distortion of values and such an convoluted perspective of the glory of a woman's body that I cannot even get my mind around people doing this. Vaginas are birth canals. That is why we have them. The idea that it is a priority for them to look like the tiny teenaged twats in porn videos is just appalling.

I, for one, am extremely grateful that we have the option of c-section for mothers and babies for whom it is a medical necessity. But choosing to engage in major surgery and to expose your baby to the risks involved for reasons of cosmetic preference or convenience is a reflection of a culture of narcissism that is completely out of control.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm with you PP. It's interesting that all the PPs jumped up to complain about being judged for wanting c-sections but, wow, the tone of their posts reveals a lot of judging.

12:38 poster here. Just wondering who you think I am judging. I don't understand criticizing someone for the way they choose to give birth, it is just absurd.

I didn't think you were judging anyone. I corrected my post to reflect that not all the PPs were judging. My apologies, again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As an elective c-section mom, I can tell you that the baby comes out perfect, no squished head and without trauma.

The idea of having major elective surgery and introducing the accompanying medical risks to your baby as well as to yourself so that your baby looks "perfect" when it comes out really troubles me. The "trauma" of birth for the baby has a FUNCTION for the baby's health - it stimulates the baby and squeezes the excess amniotic fluid from its lungs and other tissues and organs - SO THAT IT CAN BREATHE when it emerges from the birth canal. That's why c-section babies have to be suctioned so aggressively, etc.

In addition the idea of choosing major elective surgery and introducing the accompanying medical risks to your baby and yourself so that your vagina won't stretch or need stitches doesn't just trouble me, it disgusts me. It evidences such an incredible distortion of values and such an convoluted perspective of the glory of a woman's body that I cannot even get my mind around people doing this. Vaginas are birth canals. That is why we have them. The idea that it is a priority for them to look like the tiny teenaged twats in porn videos is just appalling.

I, for one, am extremely grateful that we have the option of c-section for mothers and babies for whom it is a medical necessity. But choosing to engage in major surgery and to expose your baby to the risks involved for reasons of cosmetic preference or convenience is a reflection of a culture of narcissism that is completely out of control.

What I just cannot get my head around is why it is any of your business????