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CNN Live At Daybreak
Growing Number of Women Opting For C-Section
Aired July 21, 2003 - 05:57 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Finding out you're pregnant means there are a lot of decisions to be made, including how you'll deliver your baby. A growing number of women are opting for a C-section. But do the benefits outweigh the risks?
CNN's Christy Feig takes a look at the pros and cons.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHRISTY FEIG, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The minute Claire Sassin found out she was pregnant, she knew she would choose to have a C-section.
CLAIRE SASSIN, CHOSE A C-SECTION: I knew it would be less stress on the baby and I really knew it would be less stress on me.
FEIG: Ten days after Danielle was born, Claire was back on her feet. It's hard to nail down exact numbers, but doctors we've spoken to, like Dr. Bruce Bonn, believe her approach is becoming more common.
DR. BRUCE BONN, OBSTETRICIAN-GYNECOLOGIST: I think women have a right to choose their health care and to be in control of their bodies. And if they're making an informed decision, they should be allowed to do that.
FEIG (on camera): While C-sections are major surgery, women who prefer them point to studies showing vaginal delivery can lead to incontinence down the road.
(voice-over): In fact, experts say that's the biggest maternal benefit of a C-section -- it alleviates damage to the pelvic floor. That damage is what leads to loss of bladder control.
But some groups question major surgery that isn't medically necessary.
TONYA JAMOIS, INTERNATIONAL CESAREAN AWARENESS NETWORK: All sorts of surgical mistakes can happen -- anesthesia problems, nicks from the surgeon -- and that's just in the surgery.
FEIG: According to a recent article in the "New England Journal of Medicine," although complications remain more common after surgical deliveries, the rate is declining. And several studies have shown although numbers are low in both groups, the risk of maternal death is lower in elective C-sections than in vaginal deliveries.
In Washington, I'm Christy Feig. (END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired July 21, 2003 - 05:57 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Finding out you're pregnant means there are a lot of decisions to be made, including how you'll deliver your baby. A growing number of women are opting for a C-section. But do the benefits outweigh the risks?
CNN's Christy Feig takes a look at the pros and cons.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHRISTY FEIG, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The minute Claire Sassin found out she was pregnant, she knew she would choose to have a C-section.
CLAIRE SASSIN, CHOSE A C-SECTION: I knew it would be less stress on the baby and I really knew it would be less stress on me.
FEIG: Ten days after Danielle was born, Claire was back on her feet. It's hard to nail down exact numbers, but doctors we've spoken to, like Dr. Bruce Bonn, believe her approach is becoming more common.
DR. BRUCE BONN, OBSTETRICIAN-GYNECOLOGIST: I think women have a right to choose their health care and to be in control of their bodies. And if they're making an informed decision, they should be allowed to do that.
FEIG (on camera): While C-sections are major surgery, women who prefer them point to studies showing vaginal delivery can lead to incontinence down the road.
(voice-over): In fact, experts say that's the biggest maternal benefit of a C-section -- it alleviates damage to the pelvic floor. That damage is what leads to loss of bladder control.
But some groups question major surgery that isn't medically necessary.
TONYA JAMOIS, INTERNATIONAL CESAREAN AWARENESS NETWORK: All sorts of surgical mistakes can happen -- anesthesia problems, nicks from the surgeon -- and that's just in the surgery.
FEIG: According to a recent article in the "New England Journal of Medicine," although complications remain more common after surgical deliveries, the rate is declining. And several studies have shown although numbers are low in both groups, the risk of maternal death is lower in elective C-sections than in vaginal deliveries.
In Washington, I'm Christy Feig. (END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
