I pleaded in vain for a c-section, now I have PTSD
NATURAL BIRTH MOVEMENT HAS ‘GONE TOO FAR’
THE natural birth movement and the push to reduce high c-section rates has gone too far causing trauma to women, doctors and birthing support groups warn.
The Australasian Birth Trauma Association (ABTA) reports rising numbers of women dealing with psychological and physical injuries from being pressured into having a vaginal delivery and persuaded against a caesarean birth.
Brisbane obstetrician Dr Gino Pecoraro said he had been forced to lie to patients’ families and claim he was the one that recommended a c-section for medical reasons so the women would not have to explain that they wanted the surgery.
“It’s the age-old story of people wanting to push their views on other people,” Professor Pecoraro said.
“Women who have been informed fully of risks and benefits should be able to have their say. The decision should be between the woman and her obstetrician.”
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data shows that in 2019 30 per cent of Queensland women had a baby via c-section, 22 per cent had a vaginal birth, using instruments like a vacuum and almost three per cent of those women suffered third and fourth degree tears.
“Recovery after a simple elective planned c-section may well be faster and easier than recovering from a difficult vaginal delivery which can lead to extensive tearing, prolapse, sexual dysfunction and in some cases post-traumatic stress disorder,” Professor Pecoraro said.
ABTA founder Amy Dawes said there was room for all kinds of deliveries.
“We hear of women being stuck in situations where there is immense pressure on them, there is inadequate resourcing, low staff morale and lack of collaboration between obstetricians, midwives, and managers. Women and families are identifying these issues as contributing factors in their own traumatic births,” she said.
Alecia Staines, from the Maternity Consumer Network, said there must be a strategy in place to reduce the c-section rate, which was three times higher than the World Health Organisation recommends.
“The birth trauma organisation is anti-vaginal birth and midwives, so this rhetoric
doesn’t surprise me. They’re just a mouthpiece for private obstetricians,” she said.
Rhiannah Pohlman, from Deception Bay, said she lived with incontinence years after the birth of her first child as she was forced to deliver vaginally when her labour was not progressing.
“I ended up with fourth degree tears and they had to use a vacuum to extract the baby,” she said. “I pleaded for a c-section but it didn’t happen. I was diagnosed with PTSD and for that reason had a c-section for my next birth. While it is a priority that babies arrive safely, no mother should be put at risk.”