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I saw the segment you had last
night on Elective Caesarean Section. It and was left quite angry - Justine
Caines wasn't given much opportunity for her view, and seemed unable to rebutt
the other's comments because she seemed unaware of what they had to
say. I think to place a balanced view a proper debate was
needed ... not pre-shot propaganda and misinformation.
As for the pelvic floor thing - I was talking to some of the doctors and other Midwives about it today at work. One of the doctors told us that women who have had a vaginal birth, 20% have pelvic floor dysfunction (keep in mind that includes traumatic vaginal births, like forceps/episiotomy/vacuum), 15% of women who have had a C/S have pelvic floor dysfunction, and 5-10% of women have who have never had a baby have pelvic floor dysfunction. Sorry, but that's no reason for a major abdominal surgery, and it is very wrong to portray that as 'compelling medical evidence' to the whole country without someone to balance the argument. When does the responsibility fall on the consumer, anyway - anyone ever heard of pelvic floor exercises? Or is it just easier to get cut open and your baby removed from your body for you? Yes, I am a Midwife - but not "ONLY" a
Midwife. Justine Caines had her baby at home with a lovely (professional,
qualified, experienced, appropriate) Midwife. Midwives are known by the
World Health Organisation to be the safest and most cost-effective carers of
normal healthy pregnant women and their families. Both women you
interviewed seemed to fall into that category.
Althought heart wrenching, I don't believe that Vanessa had a valid reason for a C/S, either - Meconium Aspiration is also possible after a C/S. Babies born at 37 weeks can develop HMD (Respiratory Distress Syndrome) and require ventillation (ie if dates are wrong - babies usually born at 38 weeks if elective C/S may be born a little too early)... Babies born via C/S are more likely to have delayed clearing of fluid from the lungs and are more likely to be separated from their parents leading to cold stress and further respiratory distress and infection. Just check our stats from our Special Care Nursery. 30% of Elective C/S babies were admitted to the SCN last year - that's admitted, not just taken there for observation of their mild respiratory distress for a few hours. Also, a mother is 4 times more likely to
die from a C/S. How does that help a new baby?
Should women have the right to choose -
I think so... but not to the detriment of another human being (their
baby). Women/people choose elective, non-essential surgery all the
time. But most people have all the facts before they make decisions like
these. It seems that being women in a male dominated medical society when
it comes to birth and all things gynaecological - it's all a bit paternalistic.
'We don't need to bother ourselves about the trivialities of risks... Trust me,
I am a doctor." 'I don't want you to sue me for wetting your pants
when you're 40.'
I really hope that your next
sensationalised story about birth presents a proper balanced view in a
debate/discussion type format, rather than separate interviews where the
interviewees are kept in the dark about what is really being
discussed.
Jo (Midwife)
--
Babies are Born... Pizzas are
Delivered.
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