In Defense of Modern Medicine

C-sections get a bad rap. I remember reading in magazines and childbirth books about having a Caesarian section, or C-section, and thinking it sounded horrible, and much unlike what childbirth should be. It is not sold as a desirable option. Critics contend that doctors like to perform these “births,” if you will, because it is easy money, it makes for an easy delivery, and it helps them to avoid the dreaded malpractice lawsuit.

Talking to friends, I have heard their stories of how disappointed they were when their long labors were punctuated by the doctor’s decision to wheel them off to a surgery room to perform a C-section. It sounds like there is a sense of mourning that came with their birthing experience. And, after all that labor and assuming you were going to deliver a baby like women have for thousands of years, I am sure that change of plans is hard to swallow. That wasn’t part of their “Birthing Vision.”

In my case, my C-section was scheduled. Oh, I tried to avoid having a C-section, though the thought of scheduling my baby’s birth date (since I am, by nature, a planner) was right up my alley. “Hmmm, what’s that saying about a Wednesday’s Child?... Well, let's see, if we have the baby on a Friday, my mom only has to take one day off work and then we’ll have her for the weekend, too…” What's not to love about picking your child's day and date of birth?

The reason for my scheduled C-section was that my baby was sitting comfortably in the breech position, meaning he was sitting upright, head below (or between?) my lungs and feet near my bladder (that I believe).

I explored alternatives, such as going to a chiropractor and having them do some sort of trickery to get my baby to flip. In the end, I didn't think this idea was so prudent. So I opted to have an “external version” a few weeks before, which is a polite way of saying “Pregnant Lady Torture,” since that’s basically what it is. The doctors (two OBGYNs, in my case) pushed on my abdomen (externally) and tried to physically turn the baby from the outside. Better from the outside than from the inside, I’ll bet you are thinking. I suppose. It was excruciating. Afterwards, the nurse let me know that I did well, considering the muscle relaxant given to me hadn’t had time to take effect yet (!), so I felt much pain. However, despite those 60 seconds of extreme discomfort, our baby wasn’t going anywhere. So, I feigned disappointment that now we would have to select a date – a week prior to the baby’s due date – to pull him out of me. What? I don’t have to go days or even weeks beyond my due date to wait for my labor to start? Or, better yet, I don’t have to even go into labor!? Where do I sign up!?

Some people like to speak of their labor as their War Story, their Badge of Honor. If I had a Labor Story, I sure would, too. Right on! Tell me about how many hours, the blood, the sweat, the tears, the yelling at your husband for getting you into this in the first place. I saw enough videos in Lamaze class to know that birthing ain’t easy and it ain’t fun, and if anyone says it is, they probably had an epidural or some other really good drugs, or they are extremely masochistic. I can know this without having to go through it.

I like to think I got away with such an easy child-birthing set-up because I have suffered at the whims of my body (or my free will, at times) in other ways. First, there were the teeth pulled from my mouth, and then the many years of orthodontics. This includes the piece of metal referred to as an “appliance” (how domestic-like) that was also much like a device of torture and ridicule, since it created a speech impediment while I wore it. When I turned 18, I got a tattoo (but it is small, so I almost considered leaving this off the list). Then, in college, I passed kidney stones, which has often been compared to the pain of childbirth. That was pain unimaginable. I also had appendicitis following childbirth. And who knows what is in store for me hereafter.

This I can tell you: Having a C-section was a piece of cake. Step 1: Get your epidural or spinal. Step 2: Have your OBGYN/surgeon make an incision and Step 3: Pull the baby out. Very quick and relatively easy. Sure, the recovery from a C-section sucks, but so does the recovery from vaginal delivery, I hear. Either way, you have to heal. Either way, there is lots of blood involved. Either way, you almost always get your baby at the end.

I can also say this: C-sections save lives. They spare mothers from unnecessary (now unnecessary, in our age of modern medicine) suffering. They save babies from extra stress and possible umbilical cord strangulation and whatever other horrible things can happen when a baby stays in a birth canal for too long or labor does not progress as it should.

I would have my C-section a million times over. Since having my baby and telling my story, I have had women say, “Oh, but I bet you were disappointed that you didn’t get to go through labor and deliver that way…” in a pitying tone. Ha! While it is easy to nod and agree, for me, I am perfectly happy never really knowing the agony of labor (and I hear they do call it “labor” for a reason). I’m okay with having a scar where I have a scar instead of where ever else I could have a scar. And I’m pretty sure I am just as much a woman – or, rather, a mother – as those who delivered the traditional way.