C-Section: Elective?

C-Section: Elective?

Cesareans are a controversial subject in the medical world today. Many doctors are unsure about women having the option of having an "unnecessary" surgery. Cesareans have been apart of human culture since ancient times, mentioned by the Romans, Grecians, Egyptians, Hindus, and even the Chinese (Sewell para 1). However, these surgeries were crude; the women rarely survived. Now, these surgeries are technologically advanced and it is no longer hazardous to a woman or a child's health. C-sections are gaining popularity and are considered beneficial for a woman's health; consequently, there needs to be a decision made on the standards surrounding what are the appropriate conditions when a mother can or cannot have the elective surgery

There are more and more requests for the elective cesarean delivery and physicians need guidelines to follow when asked for the procedure. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists stated:

...permissibility of elective cesarean delivery in a normal pregnancy, after the adequate informed consent. To ensure that the patient's consent is, in fact, informed, the physician should explore the patient's concerns.... If the physician believes that cesarean delivery promotes the overall health and welfare of the woman and her fetus more than vaginal birth, he or she is ethically justified in performing a cesarean delivery. Similarly, if the physician believes that performing a cesarean delivery would be detrimental to the overall health and welfare of the woman and her fetus, he or she is ethically obliged to refrain from performing the surgery. (Hannah 813)

Popularity is rising in the general population, and even female ob/gyns are having the operation: 27% reported having a cesarean (Richardson 42). In North America, only the U.S.A. has made a public statement concerning cesareans (Hannah 813). Canada, however, still has not made a stance or statement on what their guidelines are going to be (Lippman A21).

Many doctors still believe that the risks of a cesarean outweigh the benefits of a cesarean surgery. Even though The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists statement has been published, several doctors still refuse to perform the surgery (Hannah 813). A common question asked by the opposing doctors would be, "[d]o considerations such as avoidance of pain, fear of labour, worries about maternal complications...or the convenience of the mother, justify the risks..?" (Singer 775). Various benefits of undertaking the cesarean surgery outweigh the risks. It may reduce the risk of urinary inconsistence: "normal" vaginal birth 26%, elective cesarean 5%, cesarean during labour 12%, spontaneous vaginal birth 22%, and vaginal forceps delivery 33% (Hannah813). Other benefits include no pain, fear or anxiety and the convenience or precise timing of birth (Hannah 813). Hannah also states, "[t]he baby may also benefit. The risk of an unexplained or unexpected still birth may be reduced..." (813). All factors included, doctors should not be allowed to refuse a woman her rights for a cesarean.

If a cesarean is planned from the beginning of pregnancy, there are little or no additional psychological or physiological effects on either mother or child. Helen Churchill expresses "anxiety and depression in relation to mother hood is predominantly seen as reflecting the feminine psyche and not as rational concomitants of surgical experiences" (89). Churchill also suggests that many of the women that have had an abdominal birth identify the experience as delightful (91). As for the child being delivered by cesarean, studies have suggested, "cesarean parents see their children in a more positive light than those experiencing vaginal delivery..." (Churchill 99). It goes to show that being prepared, both doctor