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Why all of the c-sections?

I am probably not the best person to speak on this topic seeing that my previous births were both medically-assisted; however, we are planning a natural childbirth with our baby due in November and I have learned so much in the last few months. I am home today because Gabriel got sick last night and I have spent a portion of his naptime watching "A Baby Story" and folding laundry. I have watched this show hundreds of times before, but today I saw it in a new light. It was sad. I saw three different births and all three were c-sections. One was because of a previous surgery and the other was because of low fluid levels. I understand that it is the mother's choice of whether or not to have a c-section but it seems as though they are doing it out of convenience and attaching a medical reason to make themselves feel better. At one point one of the women joked that the c-section would be the fastest weight loss program ever... Is this what childbirth has become? For thousands of years women have given birth to babies without the need of medical intervention. Now over 30% of babies are born via c-section. I'm sure that most of these women have some medical "reason" for why they had a c-section, but really they seem more like medical excuses. C-sections mean longer hospital stays for moms and babies (since baby is told when it will be born and may not be finished developing entirely). This in turn means bigger pay days for hospitals and doctors. It seems to me that most c-sections could be avoided entirely if the mother took better care of herself with her diet and exercise throughout pregnancy and took the responsibility to educate herself on what truly constitutes the need for a c-section.

Having a c-section is one of my biggest worries. Unfortunately all of the hospitals in this area refuse to allow a vaginal breech delivery. Both Cadence and Gabriel were born head first and I hope this baby decides to do that too.

I'll step off of my soap box now. I just had to get that out.

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