C-sections: The first cut is the deepest

From the Community…

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  Posted by jbo Fri Jun 13, 2008 4:43pm PDT

  Hi Dr. Kate, This is something we're hearing more about and I agree, it's outrageous. For most women, we do realize this is MAJOR surgery and don't "elect" this as some Hollywood trend. When you and your Doctor decide it's the right and healthy thing to do, it can save lives and limit complications. I'm stunned that insurance companies are getting involved and charging "extra" or treating this as some sort of elective cosmetic surgery. Shame on them. As a business owner of a company that provides a solution for comfort after a c-sec has healed, I often hear about "elective" c-secs, or how many are BAD or Not Needed. Tell that to a woman in labor for days and having a stressed and tense situation in the delivery room. I think your post is extremely important, and families need to speak up and get involved. What price can we put on saving lives or averting major complications? Scary.

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  Posted by teachergirl Fri Jun 13, 2008 7:23pm PDT

  Just another in the list of fabulous reasons why we need true health care reform in this country. What kills me is that many health insurance companies will pay for Viagra and Cialus, but not birth control pills! LOL Ridiculous!!!!!

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  Posted by beonered Fri Jun 13, 2008 7:41pm PDT

  What is the percentage of older women that have to pay to have their babies manufactured in a dish and then inserted and then 9 months later removed. When a woman chooses to do this out of selfishness instead of adopting she deserved to be over charged.

  Older women having babies is a bad idea that is why it is not possible without outside assistance.

  Here is one way to cut costs....adopt!

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  Posted by Chelsea Sat Jun 14, 2008 1:38pm PDT

  When unbiased research is really done, you will find that the large majority of C-sections are unecessary. Unfortunately, with a Dr. having many patients, long hours, tons of newfangled medical interventions at hand and other things they would rather be doing, many women are told that an "emergency" C-section is their only choice. Maternity wards have 1 goal, to get babies born as fast as they can without making the risks obvious to those at risk. Many women plan on having a natural birth, but from my first experience, I can tell you that when you are offered intervention at your most vunerable time, chances of you making a rational decision, the one that you truly want, is very difficult. Aside from additional complications for the mother, babies born via C-section have a much increased risk for a variety of complications. Mothers NEED to educate themselves about what their bodies do and can do. A Dr. is not always right. This idea by the insurance companies could reduce the C-section rate, but more importantly, get women to educate themselves about the true reasons for needing a C-section.

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  Posted by Emily's Mommy Sat Jun 14, 2008 3:29pm PDT

  I had an unplanned c-section due to medical complications that were, as the author mentioned, beyond my control. My daughter was in distress (she was being choked by the umbilical cord) & my body had an adverse reaction to the epidural To top it off, I ended up getting one of those nasty hospital acquired bacterial infections in my incision & ended up back in the hospital. I had planned to have a vaginal delivery throughout my entire pregnancy & would give anything to have been able to do that. The fact that a health insurance company would hold that against me or anyone else is outrageous!!!!

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  Posted by Rynetta Sun Jun 15, 2008 7:43am PDT

  I think it's a shame that insurance companies are doing this. c-sections are mostly given to people in emergencies which we have no idea of knowing until they occure. I myself had to have two c-sections and didn't want either of them. To answer any questions Iam not old Iam 28 when i had my first because of problems beyond my control I'll never be able to have a normal birth

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  Posted by Zaida Sun Jun 15, 2008 1:37pm PDT

  I read this article and didn't realized that in the United States insurance company did not cover c-sections. Due to my health I gave birth to my first born when I was 30. I was prepared to give birth naturally but I ended up with complication after that I had two more children. My doctor was not happy because I was risking my life, but with Gods help I had my three children. Which were all deliver by c-section. However, my insurance company cover my c-section . But hello I pay almost four-thousand a year and not counting the amount I have to pay in cash.

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  Posted by Mon Jun 16, 2008 6:49am PDT

  Being a nurse, and having 3 C-sections, there are some responsible doctors out there (if you can find them, usually are women doctors), and will wait to see how labor does or doesn't progressed. However, male doctors and some female doctors perform more C-sections because of the possibility of injury to the child and a possible lawsuit. Insurance companies have to cover C-sections, they are major surgery. If they don't, go to the news or newspapers and hang them out to dry. It is saving the baby's and your life.

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  Posted by pixie Mon Jun 16, 2008 7:30am PDT

  I know plenty of woman who have had c-sections to make deliver "easier" and to be able to select the date of birth. Also it seems to me that more and more obgyn's are doing them because it's quicker than letting a woman labor and give birth naturaly,and the M.D. gets more money from a c-section, so the more they can do in a day the more money they make. It's sad when we mess with mother nature,and let doctors tell us what's best for our bodies. Ladies take back your body!!! C-sections are no fun and you take longer to heal and have more complications in the long run avoid them unless there are serious issues with the delivery,and avoid being induced also. M.D.'s use this to save time also,they really don't want to wait around for you to labor,inducing is bad for the baby and for the woman and cause more pain during labor.

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  Posted by isabell Mon Jun 16, 2008 7:32am PDT

  Natural Birth is the only way to go!!!!! I am a mother of 5 and have had 2 c - sections, 2 natural births and 1 epideral. Knowing now, what I didn't know then, I would have had 5 natural births, more for my babies, but yeah, and for me.

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