Yesterday Jed sent me an article from Time Magazine about the epidemic of scheduled births in this country. This issue hits home with my family because this happened to my brother and his wife with the birth of my niece. The article says that as many of 40 % of births between 37 and 39 weeks were scheduled and not medically necessary. What? Why? "On one hand, it's understandable. Doctors want to be able to better control their schedule, eliminating middle-of-the-night deliveries and ensuring that they — and not one of their partners — delivers a baby since the delivering physician often receives the bulk of reimbursement.
But while scheduling deliveries early may be convenient, it's not the best choice for moms and babies. Inducing labor doesn't always work and can wind up in a C-section delivery, which — though common — is still major surgery for the mother and may cause breathing difficulties for the baby."
Read more: http://healthland.time.com/2011/01/31/too-many-babies-are-delivered-too-early-hospitals-just-say-no/#ixzz1CjoXp8G9
In the case of my niece, the doctor tried to induce labor because he was going out of town the next week when her actual due date occurred. He induced her almost a week and a half early. She was in the inducing stage for a really long time, with no progress. Caroline was just not ready to be born yet, and it was a horrible and frustrating situation for Chris and Emily (the parents). They were finally sent home, exhausted and angry. This was their first birth, and they trusted their doctor's advice, which put them into this situation. Caroline was born a week or so later, when she was ready. Chris told me that the whole thing made them want to consider a non-hospital birth should they have another child.
To me, the whole idea of scheduling a birth that isn't medically necessary is just another example our need to make every thing convenient. I know scheduling a c-section can be really important for a lot of moms who have legitimate medical reasons, and this has nothing to do with them. I just don't get the decisions of doctors who know that full term birth is the best possible option for babies. Why would they want to put a mom and baby at risk for their own convenience when they know better? I don't know where I'm going with this at all, I was just shocked by the article.
What are your thoughts on the issue?
All three of my babes had their birthday chosen by the doctor....mostly because they would have stayed put indefinitely unless I was induced. I think a lot of Drs. do schedule for their own convenience, but in my experience it was based on length of pregnancy (overdue) and conditions for mama & baby (fluid running low for instance). Sometimes the bambino just needs to be born whether they want out or not.
ReplyDeleteWhile a dr might as you to induce early, it's always your decision. The best advice is to be upfront about what you will or will not do with your dr. M was a week early, but after my water broke they had to induce me and I ended up with a C anyways because her foot was caught in the cord and she couldn't come out :( C sections are horrible and I highly recommend trying to avoid one if you can, but birthing is different for everyone! Mine did not go the way I thought AT ALL, but I have a healthy baby girl so that's all that really matters!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree. It's crazy how far reaching our societies desire for instant gratification and ease of convenience has become.
ReplyDeleteI've actually been considering a natural birth for some time now. My husband and I don't have any children and aren't planning to start a family any time soon (given the Lord's timing), but I've thought a lot about the difference in the way a baby comes into the world now compared to how it was maybe meant to be. Ultimately, I would want to do what is best for the baby and if that means needing to be in a hospital where medical attention is readily available then sure.
Anyway... I'm rambling. I feel for Chris and Emily though. that would be so very frustrating. I'm all about letting nature takes it's course. The Lord knows when the timing is right and I believe he's built that into the nature of our babies and mommies' body clocks as well.
Wow! My doctor never mentioned any of this to me...thank goodness. I feel so bad for your family members! I honestly believed that you only had a choice to schedule if you had previously had a c-section. I did have two different doctors for the births of my children, but I was okay with that. I guess it all depends on every practice and hopefully people make the right choice for their family.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend,
xoxo,
Carol
I think that is shocking news indeed, and I think there is far too much intervention and pushing of painkillers etc with birthing in general.
ReplyDeleteI say this to anyone I know expecting for the first time:
Educate yourself about the whole procedure, all the medical possibilities etc, the pros and cons of all the painkillers you will be offered, and make informed decisions in advance as to how you would like to give birth, and above all remember it is your baby and your body and don't let doctors/nurses push you into things you don't really want.
Of course you have to be willing to adapt and accept advice if everything doesn't go according to your birth plan ;)
I have been induced with 2 out of three kids. The first one was not induced and by the time he was born I was so exhausted I could barely see straight(it was 3am), I was also sent home late that evening. The second was induced and it was FANTASTIC, she was born in the afternoon and I got to stay all that day and was released the next day. The third I was also induced, she was also born in the afternoon, with that induction I thank my lucky stars that I WAS induced because she would not be here if I had gone into labor naturally. Her cord was wrapped around her neck, but because I was being induced they had all the monitors on and kept a close eye on her. Also due to it being a weekday and the middle of the afternoon all the OR staff was on standby just in case the Dr decided a C-section was the best route. My point is there are + and - to both sides of the story, you just have to weigh the good and bad.
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