Celebrity C-Sections

[Christine]

Madonna had placentia previa, in which the placenta covers the mouth of the uterus. If she had given birth ******lly she probably would have bled to death. I think she also may have had a partial placential abruption, in which the placenta begins to separate from the uterine wall, necessitating an emergency C section for her second baby.

Each method has enough risks that I'm not going to go dinging some woman for choosing either way. Mine were ******l, but having watched friends recover from planned C sections, I'm not gonna pick on them for that choice, even if it wasn't something I'd choose.

The whole thing about doing a C section to keep the pelvic floor muscles tight is somewhat of a myth, I think (I don't think Mythbusters will do an ep on this one, though! ) It all comes down to how many kegel exercises you do and to some extent the natural tone of your muscles in general.

I'll say it again--I'm not dinging anyone for what they've done. Just commenting that it seems that the latest rash of superstars have all had C-Sections. I guess it's just a fluke that they all each had their individuals complications.

I had placenta previa with both of my pregnancies. Fortunately it was just partial and it moved out of the way prior to delivery.

As for it being a myth about the pelvic floor dysfunction, my GYN told me that pregnancy and childbirth all can bring on pelvic prolapse with childbirth being the number one cause. It causes a tear in the the fascia that holds the muscles that hold the bladder and uterus in place. He told me that all the Kegel's in the world can't stop this. Just being pregnant and carrying a large baby can cause it too, so a C-section won't totally give a guarantee but those who've had C-sections definitely have less pelvic floor dysfunction than those who go through childbirth.

 

[Disneyrsh]

One big reason for celebrites having c-sections is that their hips are not wide enough for the other way.

You CANNOT tell whether a woman has 'child bearing hips' from looking at her. This is such an annoying misconception! It is the internal structure of the pelvis that determines the ease of childbirth.

This internal structure cannot be discerned by looking at the woman, the woman's height or weight.

Please stop furthering this myth.

 

[Disneyrsh]

As for it being a myth about the pelvic floor dysfunction, my GYN told me that pregnancy and childbirth all can bring on pelvic prolapse with childbirth being the number one cause. It causes a tear in the the fascia that holds the muscles that hold the bladder and uterus in place. He told me that all the Kegel's in the world can't stop this. Just being pregnant and carrying a large baby can cause it too, so a C-section won't totally give a guarantee but those who've had C-sections definitely have less pelvic floor dysfunction than those who go through childbirth.

I don't think that the pelvic floor dysfunction is a myth, just that C sections preventing the condition may be. Tearing and general muscle deterioration during pregnancy is probably inherited, and while a c section may help in the short run, in the long run the muscles are going to sag anyway.

I think it's all a matter of degrees; you may save some strain on the pelvic floor muscles but you are cutting through your abdominal wall, damaging those muscles.

Childbirth is hard on the body, either way. I just think the people who believe they can dodge a bullet and have their hoo-ha look and feel the same as it did before pregnancy with a C-section are being sold a bill of goods...

 

[Christine]

I just think the people who believe they can dodge a bullet and have their hoo-ha look and feel the same as it did before pregnancy with a C-section are being sold a bill of goods...

Hoo-ha!! I'll have to remember that when I'm needing a "clean" word.

 

[DVCLiz]

I'll say it again--I'm not dinging anyone for what they've done. Just commenting that it seems that the latest rash of superstars have all had C-Sections. I guess it's just a fluke that they all each had their individuals complications.

Also, remember you're seeing this from a media perspective. We remember what we've seen in People Magazine or on Entertainment Tonight, and all of these celebrity C sections are big news. Brooke Shields, Gwynneth Paltrow, Katie Holmes, etc. etc. had all had babies recently, too. I don't remember who had a C section, but I know some of those new celebrity moms had ******l deliveries as well.

Personally, I had 2 C sections, one after 26 hours of labor and the other planned. I loved both of them - didn't mind the recovery a bit. Wish I'd been able to skip the labor after the first one, though!!!!

I'd never presume to judge someone about their childbirth method, whether they labored for a week in a hut without any medication or had an elective C section at a spa with a full medical staff flown in. It's just not an issue I think can be debated. Nobody but me (and my doctor) is going to make that decision, and nobody should judge me for it, either.

Not if you want to debate working vs. staying at home, breastfeeding vs. bottle, or paying for college vs. making them get a loan, bring it on!!!!

Oh, and I think I read somewhere that one of Angelina's reasons for delivering where she did was to send a message that African health care was not all about a hut in the middle of nowhere, and also to bring attention to the health care situation in Africa as a whole. Good for her - she's redeeming herself more and more from the vial-of-blood-around-the-neck days, isn't she???

 

[Disneyrsh]

Hoo-ha!! I'll have to remember that when I'm needing a "clean" word.

It's from the Striptease movie with Demi Moore "No corn niblets in my hoo-ha!" Hysterical!

 

[Serena]

Am I the only one that thinks that sometimes when the outer bone structure is small, the inside structure could be small as well?

I know it is not the case for everyone. My mom was barely 5 ft and only reached 103 when she was nine months pregnant with me, and didn't have a c-section.

 

[Christine]

Am I the only one that thinks that sometimes when the outer bone structure is small, the inside structure could be small as well?

No, you're not the only one. I know what you mean. Just because you're small doesn't mean you WILL have a C-section, but if you've got tiny hips it could very well mean that your "os" internally is also tiny.

 

[Serena]

No, you're not the only one. I know what you mean. Just because you're small doesn't mean you WILL have a C-section, but if you've got tiny hips it could very well mean that your "os" internally is also tiny.

thank you
I was trying to think of a medical reason to defend the celebrities and ended up needing to defend myself.

 

[KirstenB]

I'm one who had a planned c-section. Our first dd was born ******lly, but they couldn't even get the forceps to meet (think very small birth canal, unfortunately I'm not especially small or skinny on the outside), so they used a vacuum to help deliver her. Her total Apgar score was a 4 when she was born. She needed respiratory therapy, and we were scared to death. Also, I definitely had pelvic floor issues after that, I know, TMI.
Anyway, last summer when dd2 was due, I chose a c-section. I was 39 years old, and very worried about the effect another prolonged labor would have on the baby. I loved the c-section. Within 40 minutes I had a healthy baby. Ironically, even though Zoe was only 7 lb 5 oz, the doctor had to use forceps to deliver her during the c-section. She said Zoe wouldn't have dropped on her own. Both dd's have little bodies, but giant heads, LOL!

 

[Disneyrsh]

No, you're not the only one. I know what you mean. Just because you're small doesn't mean you WILL have a C-section, but if you've got tiny hips it could very well mean that your "os" internally is also tiny.

I just emailed my ob on this one. She says there's no correlation between the outside circumference of the hips and the position and size of the opening inside the pelvis.


"None, none none!" Was her exact statement.

 

[VSL]

thank you
I was trying to think of a medical reason to defend the celebrities and ended up needing to defend myself.

But you made the huge mistake of stating it as a fact rather than an opinion - which it was (come on now, you know how picky everyone is on the CB!)

 

[Disneyrsh]

So do you think Angelina Jolie's tattoo (that which nourishes me, also destroys me) on her lower belly survived the C section?

Did the ob have to edit it?

That nourishes also me...

 

[mrsltg]

There are so many misconceptions surrounding child birth. No one can tell a woman she "can't" deliver a baby naturally without trial of labor unless there has been some damage to her pelvis (ie, broken in an accident). The pelvis expands up to 30% during L&D to accommodate delivery. It's not an accident that the human race survived before the 30% c-section rate. 30% of women are not incapable of delivering their children.

On topic, I think most celebrities do have a convenience factor. I think they begin with an induction which often leads to a c-section. I have heard of the c-section/tummy tuck and I guess in that business it's a necessity? Of course it sets the crummiest example for real women who are not picture perfect within days of giving birth. Britney's idea that a c-section is not painful is funny to me. It may not have been that bad the first time around but will likely be more than a little uncomfortable a year later when they open that scar again.

 

[mickeysgal]

I If celebs are worried that much about their 'pelvic floor' why not get it tightened later ?

Can this even be done?

I personally think its because they want the tummy tuck right away also. Its all about their body image.

 

[VSL]

Complications apparently increase if having a tummy tuck done at the same time as a c-section.

http://www.thecenterforcosmeticsurg...forum/index-results.cfm?INTERESTID=3#FAQID298

http://www.plasticsurgery4u.com/procedure_folder/abdominoplasty/tummy_tuck_birth_delivery.html

I doubt any reputable doctor would do such a thing (although I am sure that there are many surgeons who will and do do it - £$£$).

 

[Disneyrsh]

Can this even be done?

I personally think its because they want the tummy tuck right away also. Its all about their body image.

I was watching Dr. 90210 a few months ago and he was talking about, um, hoo-ha lifts. Not sure if it involved the whole pelvic floor or just the exterior.

The kids were in the room so I had to hastily change the channel to Jeff Corwin .

 

[Christine]

I was watching Dr. 90210 a few months ago and he was talking about, um, hoo-ha lifts. Not sure if it involved the whole pelvic floor or just the exterior.

The kids were in the room so I had to hastily change the channel to Jeff Corwin .

Well, I'm just not sure about this. I know that they can go in and "lift" the uterus, bladder and mend any torn fascia. I *think* that I have heard that the cannot surgically tighten the ******l muscles. I think if they could, we'd all probably be very familiar with it.

 

[pooh4evr]

A friend of mine had her 3rd baby a couple of months ago C-section due to breech- after baby was out OB asked if this was the last one - answer yes - well then I'll just give you a tummy tuck too then! - I 'm not sure if they will do it when you may have more kids - your skin needs the ability to stretch right?

I was induced 2x first was 10 days late started on cervadil (sp) got around 7 pm don't remember if I had pitocin but hospital only gives epidural between 3-8 cm - got that at midnight Emma was born at 8 am after 2 hours of pushing had to use vac- 8 4 21 in-- My 2nd one they were worried was going to be 9+ lbs so was induced on due date she was born 4 hours after they started the pitocin - can' t say I remember too much of the whirlwind! Wonder what #3 will be like

 

[princesspumpkin]

I have thought the same things about celebrities and their C-sections, and I came to the same conclusion as above.

With a C-section, they can schedule the time and place, and probably hand-pick the medical staff and make them all sign confidentiality agreements or something. Most of the time, the media doesn't know the baby is born at all, until they announce it.

All the celebrities mentioned in the OP are high-profile tabloid targets. I'm sure the tabloids would pay a for pictures or gossip about them during labor, and that would just create more chaos for the drs that are trying to do their job.

Also, think of the other people in the hospital. Can you imagine trying to visit your dad, after his gallbladder surgery or something, only to find a mass of photographers outside the hospital, because they followed Britney Spears there or something?

Personally, I would not schedule an unnecessary C-section. My dr. suggested an induction, and I refused that too. But I don't have the unique concerns that a celebrity does, so I won't criticize their decision.

exactly!