"Watch out," Florida Moms: If You're Prepped, They'll Cut
Thursday, October 1, 2009 at 7:06AM
In a SunSentinel.com blog post called Watch out moms-to-be: C-sections are on the rise in Florida, writer Anne Vasquez tells how she saved herself from being cut by one of Florida’s many sectionistas by not having an epidural.
I couldn’t believe it when I heard it: An office assistant in my doctor’s office told me over the phone that the only way I could guarantee that my doctor would deliver my baby is if I had a scheduled caesarean section. Otherwise, I’d be subject to whoever was on call. Maybe my doctor; maybe not.
Hmm…And people wonder why C-sections are at an all-time high nationally and in Florida?
After the initial shock, I got mad. I’m not opposed to having a C-section – if I actually medically require one. In fact, I almost had an emergency C-section five years ago during labor with my son. I was carted away as nurses walked while dressing my husband in scrubs. My doctor zoomed into the operating room and in one swift movement someone handed him a scalpel. When he realized I hadn’t had an epidural, he decided to re-check the baby’s vital signs. They were up. He stopped and told me that I could have one more chance to deliver naturally. If the vitals dropped one more time, he would operate. I trusted him, and I gave birth within the hour.
Reader Comments (4)
Yep, that sounds about right. I couldn't believe it when I heard that my OB office (and pretty much every other one around) only has the doctor on call do the deliveries if I'd have a baby after office hours or on my dr.s day office.
Another reason to check out midwives, as if we needed another reason to begin with.
Yikes! What a close call!
From Florida's Agency for Healthcare Administration (AHCA), two documents of interest:
C-section rates in Florida 2000-2006 (PDF)
Health Outcome Series: Cesarean Deliveries in Florida Hospitals, 1993-2004 (PDF)
hardly unique to OBs. I live in Madison, WI and the UW Hospital midwives have a huge rotation too. No guarantee that you will know the midwife on call when you go into labor. If you go with a family practice doc you'll *probably* get yor doc but no guarantee there either. Pretty much the only way you'll get your own care provider is with a homebirth midwife. Fortunately lots to choose from (unless you're having a VBAC......)