Top 9 ways to have an unnecessary cesarean

I found a new L&D nurses blog which I am really loving. 

She has a great post of the Top 8 ways to have an unnecessary cesarean.     She added one to a different list of Top 7 ways to have an unnecessary cesarean.

I loved these lists, but looking at my students who have had cesareans, I was inspired to add 1 more.  So here is my #9 added to theirs, I also added a part to #1 (not inspired by my students, but rather from other stories I have heard). 

12% of my Hypnobabies students have had cesareans –

5 students all together.  A, B, C, D, E

 

(A and B were VBAC moms.)

 

A is who inspired my adding #9.  Her careprovider said she was supportive of VBAC, but at the last minute wasn’t and mom didn’t fight it, and went in for an elective repeat cesarean. 

 

B did #7, 5, 4, 3

 

C did #8, 6, 4, 3, 2

 

D did 7, 5, 3 in her case the amniotomy caused extreme stress in the baby and necessitated an emergency cesarean.  

 

E was an emergency cesarean because of placental abruption.

#9 Choose a care provider without research – Some OB’s are cesarean happy.  Some OB’s say they support VBAC’s but their statistics don’t back it up. 

 

#8  Agree to a labor induction without medical indication. – This is a sure fire way to make a birth more of a challenge.  Ask LOTS of questions. 

 

#7  Go the hospital in the early phases of labor.

         

#6  Don’t eat or drink during a long labor.

         

#5  Get an amniotomy too soon.

          

#4  Accept pitocin to induce or stimulate contractions.

          

#3  Request an epidural.

          

#2  Accept hospital staff’s comments on lack of progress without challenge.

          

#1 Just ask – or Failure to Ask Questions! – Sure some moms ask for cesareans, though I think that is very rare.  It is more likely that moms are told they need a cesarean because of xyz (breech baby, twins, big baby) and they don’t ask questions, get second opinions, etc.