Celebrity C-Sections

[2Princes2Princesses]

I also heard Gwen Stefani's doctor tried an External Version, which is a way to turn the baby. It is quite painful, and not always succesful.

With my 3rd I had this. It was AWFUL. And then my lovely daughter turned right back around breech and I had to have a C-section anyway!

It was a sign of things to come. She is a stubborn kid.

And as far as having a section to avoid labor/delivery pain, I have had 2 natural and 2 C-sections. I could have ran a mile after the natural births...the first section was really rough the first few days. If I had a choice, I would not have had the sections.

I think it is all convenience. I was on a expecting message board and a lot of the woman were doing elective scheduled sections in order to arrange child care for their other kids, time off work, etc. My doctor said it would be a cold day in h-e-double hockey sticks before he would schedule one for convenience......he even talked me into the version to avoid a section....then I had to have a C-section anyway. Go figure.

 

[LisaNJ25]

I had one ******l and 3 c-sections. I will take another c-section anyday over ******l.

Now if they only gave me a tummy tuck on the last one lol

 

[Christine]

I think it is all convenience. I was on a expecting message board and a lot of the woman were doing elective scheduled sections in order to arrange child care for their other kids, time off work, etc. My doctor said it would be a cold day in h-e-double hockey sticks before he would schedule one for convenience......he even talked me into the version to avoid a section....then I had to have a C-section anyway. Go figure.

You see, I'm still not understanding this.

As I said earlier, my second child was due on December 25th. My doctor offered me an induction since I had another small child at home and he he knew I wouldn't want to be in the hospital over Christmas. The induction really wasn't for *him* as he was Jewish and could give a hoot about working on Christmas or not. Anyway, he told me that I could pick my day, it would take about 12 hours and go home the next (barring any complications--which would have been a C-section). So, I went in the morning of the 22nd and was home the next afternoon. The induction took a total of 6 hours. My hair wasn't even messed up when I went back to my room.

I guess I don't understand, if it was a convenience factor, why you would choose a C-section over an induction. It just seems that you would choose the induction and if things went wrong, the C-section would happen.

 

[we3disneygo]

hey Christine--we have something in common, I was also due on Christmas but was induced and had a girl on the 22nd of Dec.

 

[MareQ]

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I guess I don't understand, if it was a convenience factor, why you would choose a C-section over an induction. It just seems that you would choose the induction and if things went wrong, the C-section would happen.

I think it's far more than convenience. I think it also has to do with the "pamper" factor that surrounds many celebs. They are used to getting what they want, when they want - if they don't want to endure induction, pitocin and god forbid labor - then there's going to be a Dr ready and willing to jump right in and do what the celeb wants.

Also - let's face it - many doctors are quick to jump on the c-section bandwagon with non-celebs. Add the celeb factor and the publicity and of course they're going to be even more ready to jump at surgery over a long, possibly compicated labor where many things can go wrong and they'd end up with a c-section anyway.

Personally I still don't understand why anybody would choose to have major surgery unless it was absolutely necessary and I don't understand why a Doctor would do it either.

 

[slk537]

This reminds me of the old Murphy Brown show...I remember an episode when she opened up her day planner (this was way back before blackberries ) and tried to get the doctor to schedule the birth. The joke was that she didn't understand nature doesn't work that way, but I remember the scene to this day because I thought "what about a C-section??" All I knew at that point was that both my aunts had them and they could be scheduled...

Stupid or not, I can understand Britney Spears being afraid of a v-birth, since I felt the same way. Yes, I had an epidural. I told everyone I wanted one...from the registration desk to the intern who came in to induce me (I am diabetic and had a little bit of the high BP at the end, so the induction was not my choice but necessary) and I definitely was not feeling any pain once I hit 4 cm.

I was terrified for all 36 hours of labor, rational or not, because of pushing (and hormones may have played a part). In the end, my water had been broken for almost 24 of those hours and I never made it past 4 cm, so an "urgent" C-section it was. I don't regret it, but the recovery was definitely not as easy as a friend of mine who had a v-birth a week after I did and was up and running around while I was still stuffing preemie diapers in my pants to stem the leaking from the incision on my abdomen - (so how was THAT for TMI... ). I know everyone is different and as a high risk pregnancy I will definitely opt for a C if we have another child, but I can't imagine anyone wanting major surgery on an elective basis if a "simple" and natural alternative is available.



***semi off topic - for those of you who have had more than one C...is it true that the recovery gets easier??

 

[barkley]

i think when it's medicaly necessary-great, go for it. but for the purpose of convenience-forget it! my neice had an emergency c section with her first child and both she and the doctors felt there would be no problem with a ******l delivery on the next. things changed-after enduring a double mastectomy, chemo and radiation (all during the course of the second pregnacy) her doctors would'nt let her. they felt her body had been through enough that the stress of a regular delivery would just overly tax it. she was disappointed but knew she had to do the best thing for both herself and the baby.

i get a kick of all of the publicity over 'angie's african birth experience'. her time there was in NO way close to the living conditions of that region. one of our nephews was in the exact same place for 2 years of christian missionary work a few years ago, and the place angie, brad and the kids were at is considered a VERY high end resort that the very wealthy go to to say they've been in that region, but in no way experience/live the region. kind of like going to an all inclusive high end resort in mexico, never venturing off property and then saying "i've traveled and lived in mexico with the locals" she had her own medical staff with her, had the supplies necessary for delivery at the resort, and only used the local hospital because of unanticipated complications. if everything had gone off according to thier "plans" she never would have stepped foot for treatment outside her own suites.

 

[Serena]

One big reason for celebrites having c-sections is that their hips are not wide enough for the other way.
The doctors don't want to take chances, even with us regular people, and especially with a celebrity.

My hips were never a problem. lol Kelsea was a c-section because her umbilical cord got in the way and she wasn't getting enough oxygen.

 

[lclark0621]

You see, I'm still not understanding this.

As I said earlier, my second child was due on December 25th. My doctor offered me an induction since I had another small child at home and he he knew I wouldn't want to be in the hospital over Christmas. The induction really wasn't for *him* as he was Jewish and could give a hoot about working on Christmas or not. Anyway, he told me that I could pick my day, it would take about 12 hours and go home the next (barring any complications--which would have been a C-section). So, I went in the morning of the 22nd and was home the next afternoon. The induction took a total of 6 hours. My hair wasn't even messed up when I went back to my room.

I guess I don't understand, if it was a convenience factor, why you would choose a C-section over an induction. It just seems that you would choose the induction and if things went wrong, the C-section would happen.

I was induced with DS. I was in labor for 16 hours & 49 minutes. Not all inductions are 6 hours. And not all inductions work. A lot fail, and result in csections, and in some cases pregnant women are even sent home since the induction "failed".

I figure, I dont get to dictate or care how someone else "makes" their baby. So why would try & dictate or care how they deliver them? Natural (no medication), hospital births, home births, birth center births, V-Births with drugs, c-sections, inductions, scheduled...It doesn't matter to me, and it shouldn't matter to anyone else. All that should matter is Mom (and Dad) have a healthy baby. Who cares how or when they have them? It's none of my business how you want to birth your child.

 

[MareQ]

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

HUH? Are you referring to how skinny most celebraties are? If so - that has nothing to do with the ability to birth a baby or not.

 

[VSL]

HUH? Are you referring to how skinny most celebraties are? If so - that has nothing to do with the ability to birth a baby or not.

ITA.

It's not that 'we' (the non-celebs) have wider hips, but rather that 'we' as a whole have a lot more fat on them. That has nothing to do with birthing ability.

I store a lot of my extra weight around my hips, but my hip bones aren't actually that wide.

 

[Christine]

Well, I kind of know what Serena was getting at. It doesn't really have to do with being thin so much as with being tiny.

If you've ever seen Madonna in person, you would be AMAZED at how small she is. I was shocked. Her hips are very narrow--almost like she has none. I've know a few women IRL who are tiny like this and most of them had to have C-Sections. Has nothing to do with being thin, but the internal pelvic bone structure is just not wide enough and doesn't open enough during childbirth. Of course, not all small women have this problem. My MIL is 4'11" and had not problems but I will say that she is kind of "hippy" also (not fat, just wider hips).

So, in Madonna's case, I could almost understand it. I've also seen Gwen Stefani and she's about 5'6" and rather normal looking so I doubt size was as issue (but others have pointed out the breech factor that I hadn't heard about).

 

[Serena]

Well, I kind of know what Serena was getting at. It doesn't really have to do with being thin so much as with being tiny.

If you've ever seen Madonna in person, you would be AMAZED at how small she is. I was shocked. Her hips are very narrow--almost like she has none. I've know a few women IRL who are tiny like this and most of them had to have C-Sections. Has nothing to do with being thin, but the internal pelvic bone structure is just not wide enough and doesn't open enough during childbirth. Of course, not all small women have this problem. My MIL is 4'11" and had not problems but I will say that she is kind of "hippy" also (not fat, just wider hips).

So, in Madonna's case, I could almost understand it. I've also seen Gwen Stefani and she's about 5'6" and rather normal looking so I doubt size was as issue (but others have pointed out the breech factor that I hadn't heard about).

Exactly. On some celebrites, their pelvic bones are much narrower. I wasn't talking about fat, I was talking about bone structure.
I was in no way meaning all. I was offering another possible reason for the c-sections.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Exactly. On some celebrites, their pelvic bones are much narrower. I wasn't talking about fat, I was talking about bone structure.
I was in no way meaning all. I was offering another possible reason for the c-sections.

But you are creating a false corrolation. Women can be thin and fit and have properly proportioned bones conducive to natural childbirth.

Skinny women can have babies the regular way.

 

[MareQ]

But you are creating a false corrolation. Women can be thin and fit and have properly proportioned bones conducive to natural childbirth.

Skinny women can have babies the regular way.

Exactly! ANYBODY can have a small pelvis - outward apperance isn't a factor in determining who has a small pelvis and who doesn't.

 

[DawnCt1]

I think the Jolie and Stephani babies were breech. I would not want an elective c-section but have no right to criticize since I had two voluntary inductions (very easy labors as I was already a good bit dilated before I went in) and it would not break my heart to have a third induction on or before my due date.

Infant mortality during a normal delivery of a breech is WAY up. In fact, I would be surprised if any practicing OBS has even delivered a breech. A C-Section is always indicated in those cases unless the baby turns or can be turned before hand.

 

[MareQ]

Infant mortality during a normal delivery of a breech is WAY up. In fact, I would be surprised if any practicing OBS has even delivered a breech. A C-Section is always indicated in those cases unless the baby turns or can be turned before hand.

It's unlikely in first time mothers that they would allow it - WAYYY to risky with an unproven pelvis- but mine were all gung-ho to let me have a ******l breech birth with my last - in fact he seemed very excited at the prospect - lol- unfortunately when he was breech he had a presenting cord so we had to focus on turning him around instead

 

[Caradana]

If I'm given a choice, I'll take the C-section. It allows for wonderful planning (Dad can maximize paternity leave), it provides me with extra maternity leave (an extra 2 weeks paid on top of 12 paid followed by an optional 12 unpaid) and honestly, I think I'd request a tummy tuck while I was at it. They can do that. Honestly.

Does this sound shallow? Absolutely. But I can see where celebrities come from with this.

 

[CathrynRose]

I've heard that they get a 2fer.... C-section & Tummy Tuck all in one...

Ive heard this as well.

Here in the Chicago area there is a doctor whom will also perform this 2-fer...he's in Elk Grove Village, a liscensed OB/GYN & Plastic Surgeon and apparently been doing it for years.

 

[Disneyrsh]

I've been pondering this for a few weeks now, following the recent spate of celebrities giving birth: Madonna, Britney Spears, Angelina Jolie, Gwen Stefani to name a few. Each and everyone of them had a planned (most likely elective) C-section. Why? They aren't the only ones either. They are the only ones I can think of right now.

I have my theories on this--which are probably TMI to post here. There are a few reasons that I know of to choose a C-section. But most of us average women would not be allowed to do so because our insurance companies would frown on it. But I guess when you've got money and fame (or you're paying your own medical bills) you can do what you want.

So, why do you think they are all doing this?

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.