I don't think it matters what
you call them so long as you avoid euphemisms, of which we are currently
sprouting plenty. They're a symptom of our obstetric culture to have perfectly
healthy women having dangerous surgery they don't need. Most research I read on
caesareans for true medical necessity put the figure at around 5% (give or take)
and given that most "elective" caesareans occur in this country solely as a
result of previous surgery, they are utterly unnecessary. I feel deely disturbed
that we have so lost touch with what caesareans are, and what they're for, that
we no longer have the appropriate reaction that we would to any other form of
unnecessary surgery - abhorrence. I don't believe in the "too posh to push"
label as it obscures what's really happening. Our birthing culture, and the
discourse around it, is now defined by surgeons and to surgeons, surgery is
normal. There is avicious nexus of commerce and misogygny, both external
and internal,that has led us to a point where birthing potential is
despised and negated. It is inherently pathological to cause deliberate damage
to a healthy body and completely contrary to the notion of doing no harm. I
think the language involved in this harmful practice is vital and I feel that
neither "elective" nor "scheduled" actually describes anything in a genuine
manner. How about we call it for what it is, and maybe begin to jolt our
scalpel-complacent society out of thinking that major surgery is just another
way to give birth? The last obstetric document I read on the language of
caesarean argued that in truth they should be called hysterotomies. I wonder how
many of us would line up for something that sounds like that? It's just surgery,
plain ole, unnecessary surgery.
J
- Original Message -
From:
Kelly @
BellyBelly
To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au
Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2006 11:51
AM
Subject: [ozmidwifery] Scheduled
Caesareans...?
One of the women in my forums
posted this comment which I think is very interesting, while I know there are
far too many c/s as is, I think she has a valid point. What do you
think?
I was just
thinking that the name 'elective C/S' should be changed to 'scheduled C/S'. So
many people don't elect caesareans but have them as a matter of medical
necessity and the term elective implies a choice that may not exist and IMO
probably contributes to the whole 'too posh to push' perception that alot of
people have of scheduled C/S's...
I know that lots of these
scheduled caesarians are probably unnecessary, but of course some
arent.
Best Regards,Kelly ZanteyCreator,
BellyBelly.com.au
Gentle
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