Drugs and medical procedure’s are not necessarily bad or wrong in themselves. They are bad and wrong when used inappropriately. In the 1970’s, the rate of cesarean birth’s in the United States, was 5.5%. There is no reason for this figure to be higher today. I believe with midwives who understand techniques for special birth positioning, with mother’s who prepare their bodies before births, as described in the Safe Birth Plan, then the rate of cesarean birth’s should be far lower than the 5.5%.
Cesarean births are needed with a condition called, “cephalopelvic disproportion,” this occurs when the babies head cannot fit through the birth canal. There is only one way to know if the baby fits for sure, to follow the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) guidelines for two hours in labor. “”To confirm the diagnosis of lack of progress, ACOG recommends that women be in the active phase of labor and show no change in cervical dilatation or descent of the fetal presenting part for at least 2 hours.”
There are numerous benefits to attempting labor even when Cesarean birth’s seem likely. The hormones and physiological processes that labor stimulates prepares both the mother and the baby for birth. You never know unless you try.