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| home : pages : what's new in medicine vol. 1 : should women have the right to choose caesarean bi... : | |||||
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SHOULD WOMEN HAVE THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE CAESAREAN BIRTH?The London Sunday Times (8/14/98) published an article titled 'Doctors call for right to choose Caesarean birth' A recent survey of women obstetricians in London found that 31% ofthem would choose to have a C/S rather than a normal birth, if they had an uncomplicated singleton pregnancy, 80% of those who would prefer the operation said they were frightened of the injuries that they knew they could suffer during a normal delivery.'We are at the turning point in obstetricthinking' writes Sara Paterson-Brown OB/GYN at Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Teaching Hospitalin London, that had been brought about by advances in making C/S safe, by evidence of 'substantial morbidity' with normal births, and bychanges in the attitudes of society, which hasbecome intolerant of risk. She says that a normal delivery can cause greater damage to the pelvic floor, worse incontinence than among women who have a C/S. There was a one in 1,500 risk of a babyweighing 3 lbs. 6 oz., dying during or shortly after normal delivery. 10% of cerebral palsy casesoccurring during labor, in postdate pregnancy1:600 chance of baby dying. Those problems are well avoided by a C/S - which causes its own, butdifferent risks. Women who ask for C/S, must be given all the facts, and then allowed to make up their own minds. She says she expected only a very small proportion of women would opt for a C/S if they were healthy, but the choice had to be there provided they were fully informed of all the risks. Women are free to decline medical advice, treatment for rational or irrational reasons, or for no reason, even if as consequence they or their fetus suffer death or injuries. If a C/S is the preferred mode of delivery by the mother, her choice, however foolish or irrational, must be respected. Director of the English Board of the Royal College of Midwives agreed. 'A woman's right to choose was paramount, she said 'provided she is in possession of all the facts, if she decides she doesn't want to go through labor, then we must respect that decision, even though midwives would naturally prefer the mother to have a normal birth.' The rate for C/S in England has tripled in the last 25 years from 4.5% in 1970 to 16% now. Over 100,000 women in U.K. have a C/S every year. In U.S. up to a third of all birth In some areas are now by C/S. In Italy, where women's choice must be respected by law, 4% choose to have a caesarean. --> return to menu / back ... (click) --> return to top of the page (click) |
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