Wow, this article struck a nerve with me. While I completely understand c-sections in medically necessary situations, electing to have surgery seems crazy. While the chance to "plan" your child's entrance to the world may seem convenient, most elective c-sections are scheduled before 40 weeks...as the mother of a preemie, I cannot imagine wishing to cut short my child's very valuable gestational time. Not to mention all of the risks associated with a c-section including: Increased maternal blood loss and risk of needing a transfusion, Risk of complications from anesthesia (pneumonia, allergic reactions, low blood pressure) Slightly higher mortality rate for the mother, Twice the risk of infant mortality, Higher risk of infection and blood clots for the mother, Decreased bowel function after surgery, Risk of lower Apgar scores for the baby, Longer hospital stay (three to five days) and longer recovery period, Possible complications with breast-feeding, Possible increased likelihood of clinical postpartum depression.

Obviously katiekat, you did not have a c-section...while I don't think that everyone loves having a c-section and alot of time, it is an emergency c while the woman is in labor, I totally understand why some people elect to have it done! When I was pregnant with my son, I was originally scheduled for a c-section and then decided to try vaginal delivery, to see if I could do it and since so many people told me that I was crazy to want an elective c-section (I have Type 1 diabetes so the elective option was there). Anyways, my baby wouldn't drop so I ended up having surgery in the end and it was great! I had an amazing recovery, and I love lilsugar's point that I had a few extra days in the hospital. So nice to have someone else watching my kid so I could sleep whenever I needed, and someone to help me with breastfeeding, etc.

I am electing to have a c-section with my next child whenever that is. I have no interest in pushing, and you know what, they are also complications with vaginal deliveries. My son had the cord wrapped around his neck and we didn't even know it until he was taken out through surgery. If I had pushed him down, he could have died. While having surgery means a longer recovery and a harder time getting up from a chair, bed, etc., I didn't have any vaginal stitches, no sitting on a pillow, not as much extra bleeding, etc., and my scar is totally hidden. I had an amazing recovery! I wouldn't recommend that everyone go out and have c-sections, but it was amazing for me and I plan to do it again, this time with a planned date.

Don't you have to have another C-section regardless? I was told very few doctors will let a woman try to a vaginal birth after she's already had a C-section. In the town I live in you have to have a home birth with a midwife if you've had a C-section.

I had a c-section and then a vaginal birth. I personally had a horrible time with the c-section and recovery. That combined with trying to breastfeed for the first time resulted in a horrible experience. I went VBAC the second time around and was able to bounce back immediately. I really had an amazing experience the second time around.
Akpril- VBACs are definitely a great option for some women, and I would not trust a doctor who says no to VBAC across the board.

I had four c-sections and agree with the first poster. I fully support it when medically indicated, but elective for no medical reason whatsoever is not something I can support. I loved my c-sections and am actually thankful that attempting to vaginally birth the first showed that I am physically unable to do so, but that doesn't mean I think they should be used willy-nilly.

Having a c-section because of a previous c-section is technically considered "elective" but is also medically indicated.

I agree with katiekat 100%! I think this slideshow was slightly irresponsible to post without any mention of the risks of c-sections. And from everything I have read, c-sections are actually more dangerous for babies (and mom, for that matter). I understand these aren't your personal beliefs, lil, and you've been posting a series of slideshows on this topic and some discuss some risks and complications, but some readers will only stumble upon this one and might get the wrong idea about elective c-sections. I just feel like this is a really dangerous topic and we don't need to give MORE women the idea that CHOOSING to have major surgery to deliver their baby is a good idea.

(Medically necessary c-sections are a totally different ballgame. I was a cesarean baby myself!)

Tomorrow we'll be running reasons why some women prefer vaginal birth as well.

mrsstrauss, you're not talking elective for no medical reason. For instance, an emergency c-section in the course of labor doesn't fall into "elective" in any way, shape, or form.

mstrauss having a cord around the neck is very common. babies can have the cord wrapped 2 even 3 times and be just fine when having a vaginal birth. just thought you should know.

So, I had a CS for twins back in 2004. My presenting son was footling breech. I was given the option to deliver vaginally and I said I would rather get a CS, then to risk my children's lives. I feel that was medically necessary.

I had every complication known to man because of the CS. Transfusion due to excessive blood loss, my scar tore open at 2 weeks PP and I had to have someone come over daily to repack it for 3 months, infections of he open scar. I was in pain for 5 months. One of my son's, Logan, had repiratory issuess and passed away at 4 months old to pneumonia. Guess what fluid they found in his lungs during autopsy? Amniotic.

I chose to have a vaginal birth with my youngest back in December of 2008. I had a 4th degree tear, but I would take that over having major abdominal surgery ANY day of the week. I was back to myself in 2 days with NO PAIN. Running around with my 4 year old playing after 4 days.

I plan another VBAC when I deliver in January of 2010, only 13 months after my last!!

Oh, and CS cause a whole host of problems with future pregnancies that I would rather not get into right now. Problems that are irreversible like placenta accreta (where you most definately have to have a Cesarean-Hysterectomy), fertilty issues...etc...