The newest stats on c-sections for 2004 are out at 29%. That's almost 1 in every 3 babies now born surgically. This is a marked increase if you consider in 1996 the rate was 20%. One component is the turn to elective c-sections. While not an option in most of the Midwest - I can see the temptation. As we American's grow ever time conscious and efficient - being able to schedule the birth of children down to the half hour seems ideal. Everyone can come into town, the nursery ready, even pre-printed birth announcements- like the "save the date" cards for weddings. I could send people "save the birth date - Dec. 11th at 2 pm"
As C-sections become more and more safe- it's hard from a legal perspective for doctors to deny elective c-section requests from patients. That leaves the ethical considerations. As alluded to above, if given the option, when my time comes I would likely choose a c-section. BUT the ramifications of everyone beginning to do this begins to trouble my brain. Play it out in your mind - in 20 years from now, will our children learn of vaginal births from a historical perspective only? Could it become an extinct behavior of humans? Does that seem wrong or just a social adaptation? I'd love some discussion on this ...anyone?
No comments:
Post a Comment