A Woman's Right to Choose: Cesarean Section

In 1990 approximately 23 percent of all live births were by cesarean section. Many of these cesarean sections were performed because of a health risk to the mother or the baby, while others were performed because the mother wanted a choice.

Many people may argue that a c-section is major abdominal surgery and that it should be the doctor's decision, not the woman's choice. In some ways, they are right. A c-section is major abdominal surgery, and it should not be taken lightly.

That said, women have a choice when it comes to terminating the life of their child, so why shouldn't they have a choice when it comes to how their child should be born?

Many pro-choice activists say the woman should have a choice because it is her body. The same can be said for a woman who desires a c-section, it is her body.

Both c-sections and abortions can lead to scarring of the uterus, infection, hemorrhaging, and damage to other internal organs (bladder and bowel).

Women who undergo a c-section are said to have higher rates of depression. This is also true among women who terminate their pregnancies. The reasons for depression in these two cases are very different.

Women who have c-sections (especially those which are unplanned) may be depressed because they missed out on the "natural birthing experience." They may also have more trouble getting their child to breastfeed, which can lead them to believe they are incompetent as a mother.

Women who have abortions may be depressed because they terminated the life of their child. At the time of the abortion, they may have felt that it was the right thing to do. Maybe they felt like they couldn't give that child the lifestyle they deserved, or maybe they felt they didn't have the money, experience, and other resources that they would need to raise a child. Whatever the reason for the abortion, they may have feelings of regret after the procedure is completed.

If the risks are the same, why is it that a woman who wants to terminate her pregnancy can walk in to a clinic and choose to have her child killed, yet a woman who wants to deliver her child safely by cesarean section is often denied the right to choose?

One of the arguments that people use against an elective c-section is that the recovery period can be long and painful. This is true, but the same can be said for a vaginal delivery. Again, both cases differ greatly.

Because a cesarean section is a major abdominal surgery, the recovery period includes pain around the incision, effects from the anesthesia, nausea, vomiting, exhaustion, postpartum contractions, shoulder pain, constipation, and abdominal discomfort.

Some babies (pre-term as well as full-term) delivered by c-section may experience rapid breathing (known as transient tachypnea) for a few days after delivery.

Women who delivery vaginally deal with many of their own problems including postpartum contractions, exhaustion, perineal discomfort (from stretching and/or an episiotomy), discomfort sitting and walking, difficulty urinating, discomfort with bowl movements, constipation, bloodshot eyes, bruises, pelvic soreness, joint pain, and aches all over.

Babies delivered vaginally may experience difficulty breathing due to having the umbilical cord wrapped around his/her neck, and may have an oddly shaped head from being squeezed through the birth canal.

While the recovery time and risks are there in both cesarean section and vaginal deliveries, often women are not given a choice. Vaginal deliveries are recommended by most doctors, and some insurance companies won't even cover an elective cesarean section.

Women are given a choice when it comes to continuing or terminating their pregnancy, but when it comes time to deliver their baby they're often told that vaginal delivery is their only choice.

Source: BabyCenter, "Giving birth by cesarean section." BabyCenter LLC. URL: (http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/pregnancy/childbirth/160.html)

Source: MayoClinic.com, "C-section: When is it the best option?" Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. URL: (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/c-section/PR00078)

Source: Heidi Murkoff, Arlene Eisenberg, Sandee Hathaway, "What To Expect When You're Expecting." Workman Publishing. Pages: 378-380, 382-383.