C Sections & Vaginal Births

This week I had some distressed girlfriends ring and tell me to tune-in to the “Kyle and Jackie O” radio show ( this is an Australian Radio Show similiar to dozens presented around the world in this sometimes questionable era of the ‘Radio DG Celebrity’). They were opening up the discussion amongst mothers for the ‘great debate’ – caesareans versus natural child birth. Unfortunately I only heard the last 5-10 minutes and as much as I can gather the topic changed to elective C’s versus vaginal births. Well, I sent them an email as soon as the show finished, for what purpose I’m not sure – perhaps if anything to remind us, that as parents our focus should  always be, what are the health implications for our children?….

To Jackie O and Kyle,

Having just listened to part of your show I’d like to discuss the topic  - ”having an Elective caesarean in order to minimise or avoid pain” and to clarify that this is very different to an Emergency caesarean. Then secondly,  I’d like to offer some research towards some of the “callers” rationale for having a caesarean to preserve our “girlie bits”  or if you rather, our pelvic floors.

Generally speaking, I feel these types of debates are futile because all women are different and so are their birthing needs. Who are we to pass judgement on another’s birthing decision. If couple’s have researched their birth choices and any resulting health implications thoroughly, then they should feel confident and peaceful about their parenting journey. If they make a birth choice purely based upon someone else’s rationale or agenda, then this is a risky emotional and health compromise.

If a woman was to consider putting her needs (ie the need to avoid the pain of child birth) before her baby’s needs, I have to wonder if the mother is really aware of the health risks involved for her baby with caesareans. As a health practitioner and a mother I wonder whether her “carer” has neglected to discuss these risks in any great length or perhaps whether either party have considered the available research??.

Firstly, babies born via Caesarean are three times more likely to develop asthma and allergies by the age of 31 as compared to subjects (ie. babies) delivered naturally.(1) With an elective Caesarean the respiratory or breathing centres of the brain are not stimulated as they are during a vaginal birth.

Secondly, research also tells us that babies born via Elective Caesarean, ie the baby does not get to decide when it is physically ready to be born – have an increased risk of a life threatening condition known as Respiratory Distress Syndrome and other respiratory problems..(2) The lack of moulding of the skull means that the lungs are not stimulated via the brain to expel the contents of the lungs sufficiently

Aside from caesareans being riskier for mothers when comparing death rates, infection and post- partum problems(3), there does still seem to be a fantasy we cling to as women, that C Sections preserve our pelvic floor and thereby our sex life.  As far as caesareans protecting our ‘girly bits’, research shows that weak pelvic floors and/or incontinence in older women is, in general, mostly comparable between the two groups of women.

Furthermore a weak pelvic floor is more likely to be due poor lifestlye habits (ie women as they age not doing pelvic floor exercises, being sedentry, decreased bowel function etc) rather than it being a side-effect of natural labour. Caesareans are therefore unfortunately, no security against pelvic floor weakness.(4)

Emergency caesareans are unavoidable, however Elective caesareans require the couple researching the risks involved particularly for their unborn baby. Sometimes an Elective C-Section emotionally will best support the mother’s needs, however choosing an Elective C section for convenience alone is surely a decision made through unintentional ignorance, as parents would rarely put their own needs above their childs health.

Hope this helps clarify a few points.
Respectfully Jennifer