Divine Design

Cesarean Sections

Three Angels Broadcasting Network

Program transcript

Participants: Patti Barnes

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Series Code: DIV

Program Code: DIV000010A


00:01 The contents of the following program
00:03 are not intended to substitute
00:05 for the advice of your healthcare provider,
00:07 and the producers of this series
00:09 assume no liability
00:10 for the use or misuse of the material presented.
00:20 Creation or evolution,
00:23 design or random chance,
00:27 they say it all began with a big bang,
00:31 but when we look at the amazing human body,
00:34 the answer is obvious.
00:36 The complexity of the design
00:37 exceeds anything man has ever made.
00:41 The body, it only have been designed
00:43 by the Master Designer we read about in the Bible.
00:47 Join us as we explore the miraculous development
00:51 of the human baby.
01:08 Divine Design.
01:26 Hello, I'm Patti Barnes,
01:28 director of the Midwifery program
01:29 at Hartland College.
01:31 Today we're gonna talk about complications
01:35 that could lead to a cesarean section.
01:38 We no longer live in a perfect world,
01:40 since the fall of Adam and Eve.
01:42 So we must face the reality
01:45 that not every birth goes as smoothly as we desire.
01:49 The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:7...
01:52 "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels,
01:55 that the excellency of the power may be of God,
01:59 and not of us."
02:01 Unfortunately these earthen vessels
02:03 sometimes don't work exactly as we want them to.
02:07 Complications arise from time to time with pregnancy.
02:10 This is not a flaw in God's marvelous design,
02:14 but result of a fall of man and thousands of years of sin
02:18 and its consequences.
02:20 Today we just want to look at
02:22 just a few of these complications.
02:25 The results and how we might be able to avoid them.
02:28 Did you know that a cesarean section rate
02:31 in the US is one of every three births
02:35 or about 33 percent?
02:38 Sweden's rate is about half of that, 17 percent.
02:42 And in Finland only 6.6 percent.
02:45 The World Health Organization says
02:48 there should be about only 10 to 15 percent rate.
02:52 So you could see that the US
02:53 is two to three times higher than that.
02:58 Cesarean is the number surgical procedure
03:01 performed in America.
03:03 So why is this so high?
03:05 Well, there is a number of reasons
03:06 behind this astronomical percentage.
03:09 One is that more and more women are requesting C-sections.
03:13 This is a result of a number of factors
03:15 including the desire to escape the pain of labor.
03:19 The convenience of planning the delivery date
03:22 and the widespread acceptance
03:24 of surgical procedures in general.
03:28 Surgery is not so feared today as it once was.
03:31 Another reason is that healthcare providers
03:34 also have the convenience
03:35 of setting the time avoiding midnight,
03:38 weekend, and holiday deliveries.
03:41 Physicians also can better avoid liabilities
03:44 and malpractice suits in a so happy world
03:47 and we can't escape the fact
03:50 that for some physicians and hospitals
03:53 C-sections are added form of revenue
03:56 increasing the cost of a birth by several thousand dollars.
04:00 The C-section rate has also risen
04:02 due to the rise of medical interventions today.
04:05 For example, human nature wants to speed things up.
04:10 We live in an instant society
04:12 that doesn't want to wait for anything.
04:14 So what is result?
04:16 The use of cervical ripening agent is implemented.
04:19 And there are a variety of them,
04:22 but each one has its side effects.
04:25 There is also Pitocin which is the synthetic Oxytocin
04:29 to enhance contractions or make them stronger
04:32 which is administered to hurry up the labor.
04:35 But when given too early in labor
04:37 and before the cervix is softened
04:40 and ready to open,
04:41 it leads to unnatural and prolong pain.
04:45 To fix this, an epidural is administered
04:48 which actually slows down the process.
04:51 An epidural is an anesthetic
04:54 administered in the lower back to numb the mother
04:57 from the waist down.
04:59 Sadly approximate 38 percent of the time
05:03 that an epidural is given, some type of device
05:06 such as forceps or vacuum extractor
05:08 must be used to get the baby out.
05:12 And in some cases as labor begins to drag out,
05:15 a second dose of Pitocin is given
05:18 to speed it up once again.
05:20 This can lead the baby to go into fetal distress.
05:25 And a diagnosis of failure to progress is made
05:28 resulting in a C-section.
05:31 C-sections themselves help account
05:33 for the higher rate today.
05:35 Many mothers are told that a vaginal birth
05:38 after cesarean called a VBAC is not possible,
05:42 or at least unadvisable.
05:44 Perhaps you've heard the expression,
05:46 "Once a Cesarean, always a Cesarean."
05:50 Well, many obese have been reluctant to perform a VBAC.
05:54 The main concern is that the uterus may rupture
05:57 or split open at the previous incision site
06:00 during contractions especially if it was a classical incision,
06:05 which is vertical and high up on the uterus.
06:09 However, over the years studies have shown
06:13 that the risk of rupture is less than 1 percent,
06:16 if the incision is low
06:18 and whether transverse or vertical.
06:21 Fortunately some obese
06:23 are now encouraged by new guidelines
06:25 from the American College of Obstetric and Gynecology
06:28 to give a trial of labor after cesarean.
06:32 To those who are considered good candidates,
06:34 and fortunately most cesareans are low incisions.
06:39 Yet another reason for the high rate of cesarean
06:42 is the increase in those mothers
06:44 who actually need them.
06:46 This is due to health issues,
06:48 which many of them are avoidable
06:50 with proper prenatal care and education.
06:53 An example is Macrosomia or large overweight babies
06:57 and gestational diabetes.
07:00 High blood pressure is another condition
07:02 that could be turned around.
07:04 Unavoidable C-sections are actually few in number.
07:08 Some possible causes could be narrower presentation
07:12 which is when the baby is in the wrong position
07:15 for delivery.
07:17 Or Placenta Previa
07:19 which is a low implantation of the placenta in the uterus.
07:22 This could lead to the placenta preceding the baby in delivery.
07:27 If this happens the baby cannot survive
07:29 the vaginal delivery.
07:31 A Prolapse cord which is when the cord comes out
07:34 before the baby may also necessitate a cesarean.
07:39 Then there are some rare cases of pelvic deformity
07:42 due to an accident or birth defect.
07:45 Also if the mother has a health problem
07:47 such as heart disease or cancer,
07:50 a C-section may be advisable.
07:53 Among other things the World Health Organization
07:56 has concluded that cesareans are effective
07:59 in saving maternal and infant lives.
08:01 But only when they are required
08:03 for medically indicated reasons.
08:06 They determine that C-section rates
08:08 higher than 10 percent
08:10 are not associated with reductions
08:12 in maternal and newborn mortality.
08:15 World Heath Organization also concluded
08:17 that cesareans could cause significant
08:21 and sometimes permanent complications.
08:24 So we are truly thankful
08:26 for the ability to rescue a baby or mother
08:29 with a cesarean when it is necessary,
08:32 but happy to avoid them if we can.
08:35 Of course this is major surgery,
08:37 so let's take a look at some of the negative effects
08:39 of a C-section.
08:41 We have to realize that a cesarean operation
08:43 involves cutting through the mother's abdominal wall
08:47 and a second incision that's through the uterus.
08:50 Some risks to the mother are infection at the incision site,
08:55 the development of blood clots, urine infection,
08:59 anesthesia complications,
09:02 surgical injury like bladder or bowel accident,
09:06 hemorrhage and severe pain with longer recovery time
09:10 than a normal vaginal birth.
09:13 Postpartum depression is also more likely after cesarean.
09:17 Risk for the baby include respiratory distress syndrome,
09:21 or breathing problems, lack of alertness,
09:24 higher incidents of jaundice
09:27 and fetal injuries like lacerations which are rare.
09:31 Further studies are being done on the effects of the baby
09:34 not passing through the birth canal.
09:37 In light of these facts
09:38 if you've had to have a cesarean
09:41 don't be discourage,
09:43 here are few tips that might help you
09:45 avoid another one in the future.
09:48 Wait at least nine or more months
09:50 before trying to conceive again
09:52 allowing sufficient time of healing.
09:56 Choose a doctor or midwife who is in favor
09:58 of allowing a child of labor or a VBAC.
10:02 Try a natural birth without interventions to induce
10:05 or augment labor whenever possible.
10:09 Maintain a healthy pregnancy weight.
10:12 Stay well hydrated and nourish
10:14 to keep your energy level up during labor.
10:18 Try various upright positions in labor
10:20 to allow gravity to work in your favor.
10:24 And hire a doula
10:26 who is a trained birth attendant
10:28 to help you through labor with natural comfort measures
10:32 like hydrotherapy, massage, breathing techniques,
10:36 emotional and spiritual support.
10:39 Several studies have proven that doula services
10:42 can largely reduce the chances of a C-section.
10:46 Cut down significantly on the use of interventions
10:49 including the use of forceps
10:50 and vacuum extractors for delivery.
10:53 Shorten and ease labor in delivery
10:56 and lead to better outcomes.
10:58 Babies benefit also
11:01 as breast feeding is encouraged.
11:03 The doula provides constant support
11:06 through labor and delivery as well as postpartum care
11:10 which also leads to less postpartum depression.
11:13 These are just a few helpful suggestions.
11:16 We can't overemphasize the value of becoming educated
11:19 about the benefits of prenatal care,
11:22 what to expect in labor
11:24 and how to implement your birth plan.
11:27 In Proverbs 4:7 we read...
11:30 "Wisdom is the principal thing, therefore get wisdom,
11:35 and with all thy getting get understanding."
11:38 Now I'd like to say something to you dear mothers
11:42 who have had
11:43 or will have to have a C-section.
11:46 Please don't feel like you've failed.
11:49 On the contrary you have carried your baby
11:52 for nearly nine months or more
11:54 and brought a new precious life into the world.
11:58 And think about it,
11:59 the first reproduction of human life
12:01 came from the side of Adam.
12:03 God performed surgery to bring Eve into the world.
12:07 Your motherhood will not be measured
12:09 by how you give birth, but how you raise your child.
12:13 Love your baby and raise him or her
12:15 in a nurture of the admonition of the Lord.
12:19 Be a true mother in his or her rejoicing in the Lord
12:22 for that precious little one that God has entrusted to you.
12:27 In the book, Child Guidance, page 172 and 173,
12:31 we read these encouraging words.
12:34 "Mothers, remember that in your work
12:36 the Creator of the universe will give you help.
12:39 In his strength and through His name,
12:42 you can lead your children to be overcomers
12:45 teach them to look to God for strength.
12:48 Tell them that He hears their prayers.
12:50 Teach them to overcome evil with good.
12:53 Teach them to exert an influence
12:55 that is elevating and ennobling.
12:57 Lead them to unite with God,
13:00 and then they will have strength
13:01 to resist the strongest temptation.
13:04 They will then receive the reward of the overcomer.
13:07 Your compassionate Redeemer is watching you in love
13:10 and sympathy,
13:11 ready to hear your prayers and render you the assistance
13:15 which you need in your lifework."
13:17 Upon the road
13:22 That leads me
13:26 To the Lamb!
13:33 Return, O holy Dove
13:40 Return
13:43 Sweet messenger
13:48 Of rest
13:53 I hate the sins
13:58 That made thee mourn
14:03 And drove thee
14:06 From my breast...
14:08 Join us next time for another exciting episode
14:12 of Divine Design.
14:13 What peaceful hours
14:17 I once enjoyed!
14:22 How sweet
14:24 Their memory still...


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Revised 2016-10-24