Scheduled C/S Because "The Baby Is Too Big To Birth"

[trimestersdoula]

I am really not getting this girls. Why do doctors have to be this way. I friend of mine (not a client), had her DS a couple of years ago. She had a scheduled c-section because "the baby was to big to birth". Her son was only 8 lbs 4 oz. She is now pregnant again. The doctor told her after her U/S that she once again MUST have a scheduled c-section for January 9th because her baby was 6 lbs at 37 weeks. We all know how horrible U/S's are when it comes to determining weight, but why don't doctors!?!?!

My cousin also just went through this. Scheduled c-section with DS "because he was too big" and then she just had her DD a couple of weeks ago by scheduled C/S because "she was too big". She was ONLY 6 lbs 5 oz.

This whole C/S thing frustrates the ever living heck out of me to begin with but when doctors are telling women they HAVE to have it and make these ladies babies out to be gigantic freaks and then they or only 6, 7, 8 lbs it makes me really mad. Another thing the doctors around here are famous for is telling people that they have cephalopelvic disproportion. I have heard that from quite a few women in the last few months and I am getting very angry at our doctors here!!!

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[SublimeBirthGirl]

The longer you're in birth the more you have to try not to be pissed off all the time. Her doctor is selfish, greedy and lazy. Well, that's my guess anyway.

[ladybugchild77]

Sigh...I guess my 10lb 140z babe born @ home in thew water would shock them, huh? With my first I was told @ 36 weeks shw was almost 11lb - she was only 9lb 4oz when born 3 weeks later...gripe...

[SublimeBirthGirl]

I've known more than one woman who was told, after having drug-free births with 10 or 11+ pound babies, "It's a good thing you didn't let us do an ultrasound, because there is no way we'd have let you have such a big baby vaginally." I can't believe they're so arrogant as to admit such a thing, "WE'd much rather have cut your baby out even though you clearly had no trouble giving birth on your own." Arrogant idiocy.

[BetsyS]

But doesn't some of the responsibility for this birth "choice" lie with the mom?

I was offered an ultrasound for size at 36 weeks. I understand why it was offered--I was out of the norms, and I was in a CNM practice that has to function under protocols to exist. They needed to write "declined" in my chart. I declined the ultrasound, because I didn't want the cascade of events that could possibly follow a diagnosis of "big baby." FWIW, he ended up being 11 lb, 14 oz, so he was a big guy. My midwife did a good job of explaining what would happen if the results showed a big baby. They would offer a scheduled section for a baby over 5000 grams, and they would just "watch me" for a baby smaller than that, and not offer induction for size. That would probably mean more ultrasounds until the baby got to the 5000 gram mark, in all probability.

Even if these women had the ultrasound, if they didn't want a section, they could have refused, they could have not shown up for the scheduled surgery. They did have options, and on some level, they did consent for the surgery.

[trimestersdoula]

Originally Posted by BetsyS

But doesn't some of the responsibility for this birth "choice" lie with the mom?

I was offered an ultrasound for size at 36 weeks. I understand why it was offered--I was out of the norms, and I was in a CNM practice that has to function under protocols to exist. They needed to write "declined" in my chart. I declined the ultrasound, because I didn't want the cascade of events that could possibly follow a diagnosis of "big baby." FWIW, he ended up being 11 lb, 14 oz, so he was a big guy. My midwife did a good job of explaining what would happen if the results showed a big baby. They would offer a scheduled section for a baby over 5000 grams, and they would just "watch me" for a baby smaller than that, and not offer induction for size. That would probably mean more ultrasounds until the baby got to the 5000 gram mark, in all probability.

Even if these women had the ultrasound, if they didn't want a section, they could have refused, they could have not shown up for the scheduled surgery. They did have options, and on some level, they did consent for the surgery.

I completely get what you are saying about women having the right to chose, but when you have a "professional" telling you that you HAVE to do this and making it sound like horrible things will happen if you don't and don't give these women the information they should have, then they really don't have options. I wish more people would research their pregnancies as well. It works both ways, women need to question more and not just believe everything their doctors are telling them and the doctors should be giving them ALL the information and not just half of it.

[mama2annabelle]

I wish more people would research their pregnancies as well. It works both ways, women need to question more and not just believe everything their doctors are telling them and the doctors should be giving them ALL the information and not just half of it.

This is ever so frustrating to me as well. I have come to believe that some women simply DO NOT want the responsibility of informing themselves. They WANT to put the entire trust in the almighty doctor and *no matter what information* they are given to the contrary, they will still go with what "professional" says.

However upset, frustrated, confused, angry, sad, etc. that may make those of us in the natural birthing profession...it is a fact. What we see as so important and essential is unimportant to others. Will we ever change their minds? I'm becoming more and more pessimistic about that. But, I will continue in my work because there are many others who are wanting, needing change and if I can help I will gladly do so.

I have even seen in in the birth center setting where some moms want to be directed in every step by the midwife, do not want to make any decisions and want the midwife to tell her exactly what to do. This totally shocked me when I first started assisting...I totally did not expect it at all.

[pampered_mom]

Originally Posted by BetsyS

But doesn't some of the responsibility for this birth "choice" lie with the mom?

:snip:

Even if these women had the ultrasound, if they didn't want a section, they could have refused, they could have not shown up for the scheduled surgery. They did have options, and on some level, they did consent for the surgery.

Yes, to a certain degree, you are right. BUT as a mom who went through this last time I don't think it's all that easy. I'm glad that you declined and things went well for you, but being the mainstream/naieve mom I really did believe that my doctor had truly informed me of the risks and options. What I didn't know at the time was that she only told me the information I needed to know in order to make the decision she wanted me to make. Imagine my surprise that there's no mention of the discussion we had and my medical records very much portray the surgery as something that I "elected" all on my own.

So...based upon what you're saying (and how my medical records read) I'm very much at fault for what happened to me and the degree to which it effected my son and myself. In fact, it would appear that I'm the only one to blame. Sorry, but I don't buy that. I will certainly accept some of the responsibility, but I was not the only involved in the process.

I'm hoping that when it actually comes to discussing this type of thing with a woman who has suffered trauma as a result of her "elective" c/s you don't go in making statements like the ones above. She's suffered enough already. Besides, the medical types are already blaming women alone for the rising c/s rate, I don't think we need someone else doing the same thing - change is going to have to come from all sides not just on the part of the pregnant/birthing woman.

Originally Posted by trimestersdoula

I completely get what you are saying about women having the right to chose, but when you have a "professional" telling you that you HAVE to do this and making it sound like horrible things will happen if you don't and don't give these women the information they should have, then they really don't have options. I wish more people would research their pregnancies as well. It works both ways, women need to question more and not just believe everything their doctors are telling them and the doctors should be giving them ALL the information and not just half of it.

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[mommaduck]

A friend of mine has a MIL that was the youngest, and smallest, of 5...all born at home. As the smallest, she was 10lbs and some odd oz. The biggest baby was 16lbs and some odd oz.

I'd like to see an OB try to tell THAT woman that an 8 pounder is too big to push through.

[trimestersdoula]

Originally Posted by mommaduck

A friend of mine has a MIL that was the youngest, and smallest, of 5...all born at home. As the smallest, she was 10lbs and some odd oz. The biggest baby was 16lbs and some odd oz.

I'd like to see an OB try to tell THAT woman that an 8 pounder is too big to push through.

No fricking kidding!!!

Also, I absolutely HATE the fact that there are doctors out there that make it seem as though they know it all and the mother knows nothing....and should know nothing, other than what he/she is telling them. God forbid a woman ever question a doctor about anything to do with HER baby, HER birth and HER health:

[BetsyS]

My dh and I were discussing this recently--in regards to a discussion elsewhere about pediatricians. Those moms were "shocked" that the pediatrician recommended Rx cream for a diaper rash, instead of something more natural.

And, my thinking is....if I'm going to the pediatrician, you'd better believe I've tried every single natural thing I can find and googled my hiney off to find more stuff, and the pediatrician is my last choice, and at that point, I feel like I probably need a Rx. It's a matter of....why would I choose a provider to provide anything but what he/she is trained to do?

And, in the same vein, if a woman chooses to birth with an OB, who is a SURGEON, and then he/she recommends SURGERY, why is she surprised? I don't think women need to know everything about their pregnancy. But, I do think that it is their responsibility to ask questions. And, if something feels "off" (like they are being recommended for surgery when it's the last thing they want), to take some time to research the surgery, to take time to research all their options.

So, if a woman completely trusts their provider, and he/she recommends something that is in their nature (i.e surgery for a surgeon), and the woman doesn't question that choice, well, then, she is making a choice to go along. It's a choice she may later regret, it's a choice that may be a good or bad one, but it is a choice.

[pampered_mom]

Originally Posted by trimestersdoula

Also, I absolutely HATE the fact that there are doctors out there that make it seem as though they know it all and the mother knows nothing....and should know nothing, other than what he/she is telling them. God forbid a woman ever question a doctor about anything to do with HER baby, HER birth and HER health

Or those who openly flaunt the concept of informed consent. I was actually discussing this with a mw in our state today and she said our state had a pretty specific law regarding informed consent. It's a shame that most of the doctors in the area flat out ignore the law.

Originally Posted by BetsyS

And, in the same vein, if a woman chooses to birth with an OB, who is a SURGEON, and then he/she recommends SURGERY, why is she surprised? I don't think women need to know everything about their pregnancy. But, I do think that it is their responsibility to ask questions. And, if something feels "off" (like they are being recommended for surgery when it's the last thing they want), to take some time to research the surgery, to take time to research all their options.

You're assuming here that she didn't ask questions. It is entirely possible to ask questions and still not get the whole truth. In that case is it possible for her to truly give informed consent? I'm certain you'll argue that it's still all her fault and she still "chose" it. It must be reassuring to you to make these kinds of assumptions about other women. I hope you never have to walk a mile in the shoes of those who were flat out lied to.

Originally Posted by BetsyS

It's a choice she may later regret, it's a choice that may be a good or bad one, but it is a choice.

But NOT a choice she is alone in. Let's not forget that fact. You can keep blaming pregnant/birthing women all you want, but that isn't going to make any significant change to the way things are done.