More and more women are choosing to plan their child's birth ahead of time with elective C-sections. In fact, the number of C-sections in the U.S. has doubled in the last decade, accounting for over 1.3 million births. Proponents of elective C-sections favor the control it gives them over the birthing process, with pregnant mothers now able to know weeks ahead of time when they will give birth and for about how long -- among other benefits. Some doctors aren't sold on the concept, however. Is it a matter of sticking to tradition, or do those against elective C-sections really have an argument worth listening to?
One of the biggest benefits of deciding on a cesarean birth is, quite plainly, not to have to give birth vaginally. A C-section is a serious surgery with a longer recovery time, but there's no getting around the fact that you avoid the pushing, stretching, and potential tearing of your birth canal. Not only is the natural childbirth process painful, but it can take hours.
This isn't the case for C-sections. According to Dr. Jay Goldberg, OBGYN, MD, the actual delivery process only takes about an hour.
"The procedure takes about 5-10 minutes to get the baby out, and about 30-45 minutes to patch you back up," says Goldberg, a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
For mothers having nightmares of an 18-hour labor, an elective C-section seems like a dream come true.
Choosing a C-section ahead of time can lower your risk of postpartum incontinence and sexual dysfunction, which can happen after vaginal birth if the head damages nerves and muscles when passing through the birth canal. Choosing a C-section is about the wellbeing of the baby, too.
Some mothers worry about the risk of head injury to their child during natural childbirth, particularly if forceps end up being required to assist in the delivery.
Despite rapidly increasing numbers, many mothers, doctors, and health organizations still say no -- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) included. The official committee opinion of the ACOG on elective C-sections, or those requested by the mother with no health necessity indicated by mother or baby, states that, based on the balance of risks and benefits, a vaginal delivery should be the recommended choice.
Their statement cites the following reasons for the judgment:
- Longer maternal hospital stay
- Increased risk of respiratory problems for the infant
- Greater complications in subsequent pregnancies, including uterine rupture, placental implantation problems, need for hysterectomy
OBGYN and MD Dr. Shamsah Amersi advises women to remember that a C-section is surgery, and surgery is not without risks.
"The risks of a Cesarean section include bleeding, infection, organ injury, an increased risk of blood clots, wound infection, a longer hospital stay, and a longer recovery. Also, anesthesia risks are there. Furthermore, if you're planning to have more than one baby, you would need a second C-section as most doctors are not amenable to having a vaginal birth after a C-section. The more C-sections you have, the more risks you have," says Amersi.
Kids in the House supports your decision to choose what is best for you and your family. Do the research to find a doctor who will discuss your concerns and desires in order to reach a safe, healthy conclusion to your pregnancy.
Follow KidsInTheHouse.com on Twitter and Facebook
About Kids in the House
Kids in the House is the ultimate parenting resource. With a searchable database of over 9,000 parenting videos, parents can easily access solutions to the full range of parenting challenges that occur between pregnancy and college.
Learn from over 500 top experts, including doctors, educators, professional athletes, business leaders, celebrities, best-selling authors and parents like you!
For more information about Kids in the House, please contact Kids in the House at (310) 899-6026 or office@kidsinthehouse.com.
Follow KidsInTheHouse.com on Twitter: www.twitter.com/KidsintheHouse.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.