2003.
Awaiting revision 2008
THE GROWTH OF THE C-SECTION
The human race has done pretty
well overall - but one thing that doesn't really seem to have been
thought through is the process of childbirth.
The problem is that the birth canal is just too small to allow a
human head to pass through it comfortably. As it is, the skull
sections are squeezed over each other to allow passage through the
vagina. The result - pain.
Animals Have It
Easy Certainly, the births of most animals are a lot easier
than the most straightforward human birth. For some animals giving
birth is nearly as easy as drawing breath.
So why the difficulty for human mothers? It seems that evolution -
if you believe in that theory (not all do) - has progressed slower
in the childbirth area than elsewhere.
Maybe the non-evolutionists believe that women were just born to
suffer. They certainly do suffer.
So, an increasing proportion of women in the world are choosing
'elective Caesarean' - a 'C-section' - to avoid the experience of
natural childbirth.
I'm not saying it's right or wrong - I don't think it's either. But
certainly this is what more and more women are choosing to do. In
fact, over 800,000 women a year are having Caesareans. The exact
proportion of these who elect to have a Caesarean, rather than who
need to, is unknown because the number is growing fast.
South America Leads At Forefront
Of The Trend In Japan, 8% of births are by C-section. In
Britain the figure is 19%, and the US 22%. But go further south,
and the numbers rise: Argentina 25% and Chile
40%.
Mexico as a whole has a 38% C-section rate. Focus in on the
wealthy state of Nuevo Leon and you find a rate of 50%. Focus in
again on Monterrey - the capital of C-sections; in private
hospitals, an astonishing 73 out of every 100 Monterrey deliveries
are by C-section.
This figure grew rapidly to this level through the 1990s. This was
after the World Health Organization set a target in 1985 for 15% as
an 'ideal' C-section rate. Monterrey obviously missed the
target.
Helpful For Doctors Of course, doctors
benefit if they can plan births. Any reduction in
middle-of-the-night call-outs is welcome.
And for business women - and for some men too - knowing exactly
when to fit childbirth into the diary is very convenient.
In fact, some Mexican mothers have been known to place
announcements in the press - with a date - before the actual
event.
Higher Risks The downside?
Aside from any moral arguments...
Bleeding lasts longer in C-sections - around twice the amount of
blood is lost on average. However, this is rarely enough to make a
blood transfusion necessary.
The extra loss of blood is mainly because the uterus takes longer
to return to its normal size than after a natural birth.
And the babies born are a little more likely to have respiratory
difficulties.
Infection is also more likely to occur, simply because opening up
the abdomen exposes the uterus and other organs to air
contamination.
Recovery is also slower - at least 4-5 days in hospital can be
expected. There will also be a big abdominal scar - and cut tissues
never heal as well as the original tissue - the nerves and muscles
severed will not normally grow back as they were.
Of course - if you apply herbs to the incision this will give you
the best possible healing. You may not even see the scar.
Treatment For Healing With No
Scar I've never treated a post Caesarean section wound, but
I have treated other severe wounds and seen remarkable healing -
scar free - taking place.
I use an application of comfrey powder stirred into a 50/50 mixture
of wheat germ oil and honey. Apply to the wound, and keep it on
there for as long as possible - preferably 24/7. Put in a little
something against infection too - a capsule of powdered garlic, a
little Echinacea, or a few drops of Tea Tree essential
oil.
It soon forms a sort of jelly (US - jello!) which pretty much
sticks to the skin. You'll have to attach it by covering it with
plastic, and using appropriate 'surgical' tape.
Moisten the application twice a day with a runnier mixture of the
same, which you keep in the fridge to preserve it. This helps the
application to stay moist at the herb/skin junction, facilitating
the transfer of the
healing elements.
The Choice Is Yours I'm not promoting
Caesarean sections; I really don't know which way I'd go on it if I
was pregnant. Though if I was in Monterrey I suspect I might go
their way.
It's hard enough making such decisions without being pressured by
someone. If you are faced with the decision... here are some links
which may help you to make up your mind.
C-section Links:
Facts about C-section: www.caesarian-tips.com/OurGurus.asp
Encouraging natural
childbirth: babyzone.com/dileo/labor/csection/indications.asp
Natural birth possible after a previous
C-section: www.ican-online.org/ www.cnn.com/HEALTH/9609/05/caesarean/
Read what people are planning to do - or have
done at this bulletin board - bulletin boards are often a great
source of practical information and
help:
boards.parentsplace.com/messages/get/ppsep99n40/1.html
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