Babies on demand

By Teddye Snell, Press Staff Writer

April 13, 2006 10:09 am

— Meg and Jered, 5 and 3 respectively, are the light in Salena Wynn’s life, as most any mother would say about her children.
Wynn had both children by Caesarian section, which allowed her to schedule their birthdate - something many expectant mothers would find attractive.
According to a recent Associated Press report, a record number of expectant mothers - almost three in 10 - are choosing C-sections when no medical need is indicated.
Wynn’s C-sections weren’t such cases; she would have preferred vaginal births.
“A surgery prior to the birth of my children made it impossible for me to withstand labor without serious risks, so I was not given a choice by my doctor,” said Wynn.
Surgical birth can be life-saving for many mothers and babies. Dr. Wallace Champlain, obstetrician/gynecologist for the Northeastern Oklahoma Community Health Care Women’s Center, considers options on an individual basis.
“Every patient is an individual, with individual concerns and needs,” said Champlain. “We would like to have some reason for performing a C-section. If we suspect there may be a problem with a vaginal delivery, such as the mother’s size, or possible perineal damage, we would offer the option.”
Wynn attended the birth of one her sister’s three children, all of whom were delivered without surgery.
“My sister had three beautiful baby boys naturally, and I was present during the birth of the youngest,” said Wynn. “Twenty-four hours later, she was at home, walking around, caring for her children.
After my scheduled C-sections, I was still in the hospital three days later with a tube in my back. Once home, I could barely get out of bed at night to care for a crying newborn, much less lift my daughter, who had been away from me for three days.”
Champlain has been asked to perform C-sections without them being emergency situations.
“Understand most surgeries are basked on a risk-benefit analysis,” said Champlain. “But I do get asked about C-sections. Some parents are fearful of the labor or perineal damage, and we counsel them and try to work out a solution. Some mothers have had particularly difficult previous births, and want to research their options.”
Ami Maddocks, communication coordinator for Tahlequah City Hospital, said requirements for C-sections are fairly stringent.
“We only allow C-sections when ordered by a doctor or when medically necessary,” she said. “An expectant mother cannot schedule a C-section through the hospital on her own.”
A 2002 report in U.S. News and World Report indicated a spike in elective C-sections even then. At the time, some blamed a generation of new mothers unwilling to endure the pain and inconvenience of having a baby “the old-fashioned way.”
Wynn dislikes that line of thinking.
“It was weeks before I could lift [my daughter’s] full body weight without fear of damage,” said Wynn. “I don’t care for the comments people make about me taking the ‘easy way out.’ It was certainly not easy.”
Champlain doesn’t doubt that some physicians would issue an order for a C-section by request. In 2003, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists issued an opinion deeming elective C-sections ethical, provided it is in the best interest of mother and child.
“Patient motivation is extremely important,” said Champlain. “Treatment options require the patient’s input. After counseling with the patient, if they are adamant about having a C-section and there are no risks involved we are going to respond to that request.”