International Cesarean Awareness Network

I submitted this as a letter to the editor of our local paper.  They tell me it will be printed in the next week or two if they have room.  I also wanted to post it here in case others wanted to use it as a template when writing their own letters.

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     I am writing in response to the article "More U.S. Women Delivering Babies by Caesarean Section" that was in Saturday’s paper.  According to the World Health Organization, more than half of all cesareans in the United States could be avoided.  When used properly, a cesarean can be a life-saving procedure.  When used indiscriminately, c-sections introduce unnecessary risks to mothers and infants.  Women who deliver by cesarean are more likely to have complications, including increased pain and recovery time, infection, breastfeeding and bonding problems, postpartum depression, and death.  Babies delivered by cesarean are also more likely to suffer from complications, including prematurity, breathing problems, and death. 
     Another consequence of cesarean surgery that is rarely discussed with women is the effect on their future pregnancies and births.  Those with prior cesareans are at increased risk for miscarriage, infertility, and complications in later pregnancies.  In addition, their future birth choices can be severely limited.  Some hospitals (including many in Iowa) and OBs are actually attempting to ban vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC).   The choice to have a cesarean without a medical reason is supported, but the choice to have vaginal birth is not.
     Cesareans may be safer than they were 20 years ago, but that does not make them safer than a vaginal birth.  C-sections are major surgery, and they should be reserved for times when there is a true medical indication.  I encourage all pregnant women to educate themselves on how to avoid a cesarean and how to have the safest and most satisfying birth possible.

Lisa Beth Houchins
International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN) Education Director
www.ican-online.org