I agree 100 percent that the caesarean section rate is alarmingly high. There are, however, times when a caesarean might be the right way to deliver your baby.
My water broke before my firstborn’s head had engaged (head against cervix). This allowed the umbilical cord to prolapse (slide down beside his head). Therefore, every time I had a mild contraction, he was cutting off his blood and oxygen supply by pushing against the cord. The only solution available to me was a c-section. And thanks to the skilled medical team, mother and baby came through fine. The head nurse claims that 10 years were taken off her life by this 1:1,000 scenario, however.
And what about breech babies? Yes, there are doctors and midwives who are comfortable receiving a baby who has resisted attempts to encourage him or her to turn into the vertex (head down) position. But not all caregivers are comfortable with allowing a breech baby to be born vaginally. The mother who chooses to agree to a caesarean must be supported in her decision. As all would agree, a healthy mother and baby are the main goals of labour and delivery.
There are other reasons a caregiver might suggest a c-section. They include the following: bleeding from the placenta; shoulder presentation of the baby (the shoulder would be born first); maternal health issues such as an infection, diabetes, or high blood pressure; and fetal distress. (Thanks to the CAPPA Canada Labour Doula Training Manual for this information.)
It is important for an expectant mother to do her research and to select a caregiver who is supportive of her decision, whether it’s to go ahead with a caesarean section or attempt a vaginal birth.
Welcome, Baby! 