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

Anonymous
Isn't true that if you have a c-section, its really hard to get your stomach back again? I'm thinking I'll do natural childbirth but if I do need a c-section, I'd like to know when all is said and done, I'll have my flat stomach back.
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.


RIGHT ON MAMA!!!
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."

Ha! You've got to be kidding right? Conservative ob/gyns who push interventions can be the most arrogant in not answering questions. Ob/gyn appointments are set up to be less than 5 minutes. You have to be very comfortable being pushy to get the doctors to answer questions. Patients are often met with rudeness or dismissive attitudes. I have no problem advocating as a consumer and do not fear the medical profession but many women are not as comfortable with confrontation. Until you are pregnant and encounter this, you are not expecting to have to be a stick to your guns advocate and fight for good medical care. It surprises many first time moms.

It gets worse as in large practices you may have 5 or 6 supportive doctors but then when you deliver run into the doctor whose patients always seem to magically develop failure to progress and wind up on the c-section table once she comes on shift. These docs and nurses can also use scare tactics just to get their way. Google some of the discussion forums for nurses sometime and you can get a window into how bad these practices are today.

A women who as patient is given inaccurate or incomplete medical advice by a doctor with their own agenda or a nurse trying to ease her own workload on her shift is a victim in this circumstance. You are more vulnerable in this situation and these medical professionals know how to exploit that vulnerability. Is every women helpless to push back, no but they shouldn't be expected to have to do this. If someone tries to mug me, I could fight back but I'm still a victim of a crime.
Anonymous
I have a good friend who scheduled an induction before her due date to accommodate her family being in town. Never once did her OB explain to her that first time mothers who are induced without any signs of labor have a 50% chance of getting an emergency C. Never once did her OB explain to her that her baby could be at risk because her body was not ready to deliver. Sure enough, the pitocin put her baby in distress almost immediately and she ended up with an emergency C.

What's the harm? Secondary infertility. She's been trying for 2 years for #2 with no luck, has tried and given up trying all kinds of infertility treatments, and is trying to make peace with the fact that she probably won't ever have another pregnancy. The scar tissue from the emergency C - some women's bodies create a lot more scar tissue around internal organs than others - is one of the causes of her infertility.

So yes, I would say my friend was a victim of her OB's failures to fully inform her.
Anonymous
It seems like people on this board push their particular situation and view point because THEIR situation and THEIR choice was right for THEM. Sometimes there will be posters that agree, other times it becomes an all out cat fight.

On an intimate topic like c sections, epidurals, breast feeding , sleep methods, and child discipline posters will chime in with their "two cents". Now whether it is advice, suggestions, or applicable to the OP's question is sometimes up for debate and can bring out the snarkiness (is that the term people are using).

Attribute this to human nature, the competiveness of being a DC mom/dad, or just plain the need to share his/her personal decisions.

Notice: I didn't reveal what my method of birth was. agre or disagree with other PP, nor try and be holier-than-tho about it. Just simply trying to shed some light on the OP's observation.
Anonymous
No jusdgment, just info: I think some moms who give birth vaginally see scheduling a C-section as an easy-out, a sign of weakness that someone is avoiding vaginal birth, which generally requires a good degree of work on the part of the delivering mother. Some celebrities are "too posh to push," and also admit being afraid of childbirth, and that may inform people's opinions (disgust?) a little bit. Not saying how I feel, just sharing what I've heard/observed.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Isn't true that if you have a c-section, its really hard to get your stomach back again? I'm thinking I'll do natural childbirth but if I do need a c-section, I'd like to know when all is said and done, I'll have my flat stomach back.


No, my stomach is flat after two c-sections. So are most of my friend's stomachs. It really depends on your weight before the baby - obviously.

BTW, for the record, no one in the medical community forced me to have a c-section. I had a very risky pregnancy, lost ONE of two twins during my second trimester, had borderline cervical measurements (so scary), too much placental fluid, and a baby measuring in the 99th percentile. And sure enough, she was ten pounds!

My peri and ob together gave me a choice of c-section or regular delivery, and I chose the c-section. They did not pressure me at all. I was NOT going to risk anything else going wrong, especially with a ten-pound baby.

I am thankful every day I look at my child and know that she made it through those harrowing nine months inside my body. So I guess my c-section wasn't technically necessary, but it was the best thing that ever happened to me. I can't even read these other posts that are so holier-than-though. If some of these posters could have walked in my shoes for those nine months, I think they would be less judgmental.

Thank god for elective c-sections, and understanding, compassionate doctors.

I'm not even coming back to this thread because I don't want to even know about people bashing me or doctors when they have no idea what they're talking about.


Anonymous
I don't have time to read all the PPs, so sorry if this is repetitive. I had two elective c-sections and no one I know has ever thought a thing of it. This is the only place I have ever seen anyone care how someone else gave birth. I really don't get why anyone would care one way or another. BTW, my best friend is an OB and suggested it to me (I didn't know you could have an elective). Good luck!
Anonymous
Come on people - TO EACH THEIR OWN. C-section, inducement, natural births -- they are all wonderful. Anytime you come out with a live and healthy baby, you are one lucky & happy mom! Let's be grateful we live in modern times where moms and babies don't die nearly as often in childbirth as they used to. I'm all for getting out babies and moms alive! Forget methodology. To each their own!
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