Getting an Elective C Section

Articles

Many women today are choosing an elective C Section to take all of the guesswork out of a baby’s birth. Still, the procedure is major surgery and it’s important for women to consider the risks of such a procedure and whether it really offers an advantage over vaginal delivery.

The Controversy of Getting an Elective C Section
The number of women in America choosing an elective C Section rose 67% from 1991 to 2001. This practice is still very controversial among healthcare providers and doctors who feel the benefits do not outweigh the advantages and no one should voluntarily choose a major surgery with no medical need. Groups against the elective C Section include Lamaze International, the International Cesarean Network and American College of Nurse-Midwives, while organizations like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists seem to approve the practice.

Why are Women Getting an Elective C Section?
The reasons women choose an elective C Section vary. Some women fear childbirth and the pain that comes with it, which prompts many first time mothers to choose a C Section over a natural delivery. Others desire more control over the birth, while some are concerned about the damage of a vaginal delivery and fear it will have a negative effect on their sex life.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Getting an Elective C Section
An elective C Section can reduce many of the risks of vaginal birth, including perineal tears, incontinence and sexual dysfunction that results from damage to the pelvic floor. The baby is also at less risk for oxygen deprivation and fetal distress that may occur from a long labor and won’t get hurt by assisted-delivery equipment. A planned C Section is also much safer than an emergency C Section. Risks of a C Section, planned or otherwise, include a long recovery, blood clots, blood loss, infection, rehospitalization, incision pain or poor healing and damage to internal organs.