I’ve been avoiding writing about this topic because I’m incapable of being ojective on the subject, but I read this post on the New York Times’ Motherlode blog and I can’t resist. The post is about a New Jersey mother who had her baby taken away after refusing a c-section. The mom apparently had a history of mental illness but the reasons given by child protective officials at the time were that she refused the surgery and was acting erratically.

My first child was born by c-section because he was breech. With my second pregnancy, I had a strong desire not to have a repeat c-section. I soon learned, however, that this would be an uphill battle. To even hope for a vaginal delivery at our local hospital I would have had to sign a form saying I understood the risks (primarily uterine rupture) and was going against medical advice. Ultimately, we opted for a home birth (The Business of Being Born opened our eyes to this possibility). This was not a popular decision with some family members, but it turned out marvelously.

As the c-section rate continues to climb well above what is consider medically necessary, more and more women will find themselves in my position, choosing between going against medical advice or having an unwanted repeat surgery. Certainly, there are emergencies and circumstances in which c-sections save lives. But there’s also no question that the pendulum has swung toward the overuse of this life-saving tool. The New Jersey case shows how high the stakes can get for women backed into a c-section corner.

Tags: Birth, c-section, Health

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