News Alert: The Who is not against C-sections
A few days ago, I 
made a funny on Twitter.
Well, at least a few people (besides me) thought it was funny. You know. All thirteen of us who find ourselves in the intersection of the Venn Diagram that represents the groups “birth junkies,” “people who know what ICAN is,” and “classic rock fans.” (I’m also a member of the obscure group, “kids who listened to Quadrophenia obsessively during their formative years,” but that’s a story for a whole ‘nother post.)
In any case, what was really funny (to me) is that I didn’t even understand what this search phrase even meant until well after I tweeted about it.
You see, this person wasn’t concerned about Pete Townsend & Co. smashing guitars in the name of (unne)cesarean prevention.
They wanted to know why the WHO–the World Health Organization–is “against c-sections.”
Well, dear person who inspired one of my brighter comedic moments, I’m gonna dedicate this post to you.
Yes, under no authority to speak for or on behalf of the World Health Organization, I’m going to answer your question about why “the who is against c-sections.”
And the answer is:
The World Health Organization is not “against” c-sections.
I mean, why would an organization that is concerned with improving maternal and perinatal outcomes worldwide be against an obstetrical procedure that can be life-saving for both mothers and their infants?
But this does not mean that the World Health Organization supports the indiscriminate over- or under-use of cesarean section.
In fact, they are concerned with the “alarming increase” in cesarean section rates throughout the world.
They are concerned about the ways in which cesarean section increases the risk of maternal morbidity and mortality.
And in line with the United States’ very own “Healthy People 2010″ initiatives, they are concerned with reducing the (unnecessary) cesarean rate.
But they’re not against c-sections as a whole. Necessary c-sections can and do improve maternal and perinatal outcomes!
So don’t get fooled again, person who found my blog. The WHO isn’t against c-sections. And if they are “against” anything cesarean-related, it seems that it would be unnecessary c-sections–those that are not medically indicated.
And that’s because, quite frankly, if there is no medical indication for a cesarean section, then the risks of an unnecessary c-section might very well outweigh any of its potential benefits.
Make that 14 people (including another who intersects with “people who know what a Venn Diagram is,” LOL). That was a freaking hilarious tweet!
But you are so right, the WHO (and I imagine most of us “birth junkies”) are not against c-sections, just unnecessary ones!
Hi Kristen! Just wanted to drop in and say hello (no deep thoughts on c-sections here…yet!) to say thank-you for your thoughtful comment on my blog. I think you’re fabulous, too. It’s funny how blogging can bring sanity and support. Be well, mama.
Jen
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