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Think About It: Choosing Cesarean Birth
Does a woman have an inalienable “right” to choose a Cesarean section [CS]? It has been clearly established in law that an individual has the right to refuse medical treatment, but it does not follow that the converse is also true that an individual has the right to demand treatment that is not medically indicated. If a woman asks for a CS, but is refused because there are no medical indications, is it correct to say she will have a “forced” vaginal delivery? Pregnancy is not an illness. Most women need no medical or surgical treatment during pregnancy, delivery and the puerperium. Vaginal birth is the consequence of being pregnant, a state for which the woman and her sexual partner must take responsibility, not the medical profession.
— Marsden Wagner, MD
Another Reason for Vaginal Births
It is not necessary for research to “prove” that vaginal birth is healthier for both the mother and baby. It is, however, interesting to read the many reasons why a mother should do everything possible to avoid Cesarean sections, commonly called C-sections. The following study offers valuable information about the relationship between C-sections and infants burdened with gastric upset and allergies. This study examined 865 full-term, healthy infants, born to parents with a history of allergies. At birth, all mothers were given uniform nutritional recommendations, and infant formula was given only when breast-feeding was not feasible during the first four months of life. The infants were tested at 12 months and checked for antibodies to common allergens including cow’s milk, eggs, and soybeans.
The 147 babies in this study who were delivered by C-section were twice as likely to exhibit food allergies and had 46% more diarrhea than babies who were vaginally birthed. The researchers concluded that C-section delivery might be a risk factor for diarrhea and allergic sensitization in infants with a family history of allergy.
Why were the babies born by C-section more at risk for allergies? Researchers believe that C-section babies are lacking in the natural, protective, “friendly” bacteria that vaginally-delivered infants acquire during birth. This natural exposure helps to protect them, and is believed to be key in the development of healthy immune system function later in life.
Birth by C-section used to be a relatively rare occurrence. A C-section was performed only when a known medical problem would make labor dangerous for mother or baby, or if there were complications in labor such as dystocia. In the last 10 years, the C-section rate has increased because of perceived maternal convenience, incorrect diagnosis of dystocia, and fear of malpractice. In 2003, about 27% of births in the United States were by C-section.
There is no doubt that C-sections are sometimes necessary; however, all precautions to prevent it as a routine practice are vital to the child’s future health potential.
Please read the adjacent article: “Things You Can Do to Avoid an Unnecessary Cesarean” put out by the International Cesarean Awareness Network to optimize your chances of having a natural, vaginal delivery.
 This article appeared in Pathways to Family Wellness magazine, Issue #09.
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