Are elective C-sections a good idea?

OBGYN Shamsay Amersi, MD, shares advice for women on the risks of choosing an elective C-section without any medical indications
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Are elective C-sections a good idea?

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A growing number of women are electing to have their baby born be Caesarean section without any medical indications. This number is increasing drastically over the past five years. The reasons are typically that women desire more control over the birth of their child. They're afraid of pain, they want to plan their delivery where they feel more in charge. But most importantly, they choose a Caesarean section because they're afraid of the damages of a vaginal birth and what it will do to themselves. Pelvic floor disfunction, incontinence, sexual disfunction are all concerns that these women have. But surgery is not without risks, and you have to make an informed decision. The risks of a Caesarean section include bleeding, infection, organ injury, an increased risk of blood clots, wound infection, a longer hospital stay, and a longer recovery. Also, anesthesia risks are there. Furthermore, if you're planning to have more than one baby, you would need a second Caesarean section, as most doctors are not amenable to having a vaginal birth after a C-section. The more C-sections you have, the more risks you have.

OBGYN Shamsay Amersi, MD, shares advice for women on the risks of choosing an elective C-section without any medical indications

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Shamsah Amersi, MD

Obstetrician & Gynecologist

Shamsah Amersi, MD is a preeminent Board Certified physician in Obstetrics and Gynecology. She received her undergraduate degree in psychobiology from UCLA, where she graduated summa cum laude, with Phi Beta Kappa membership. At the prestigious, UC San Francisco medical school, Dr. Amersi graduated with top honors, and was recognized as a distinguished member of alpha omega alpha, an honor society for the top 5% of all medical doctors.

Dr. Amersi has received numerous professional and academic awards, including the University of California Distinguished Scholar Award for four consecutive years, an endowed merit scholarship, and the UCLA Alumni Association Achievement Award for four consecutive years. Through her private practice in Santa Monica, CA, Dr. Amersi is the personal physician to several Hollywood A-list celebrities. Dr. Amersi has been in private practice as an obstetrician/gynecologist for over ten years. She specializes in natural child birth, offers VBACs to her patients, and focuses on natural conservative treatment options, minimally invasive surgery, and bioidentical hormone replacement. Her favorite part of her job is delivering babies and sharing this intimate journey with her patients. She provides comprehensive compassionate care for all phases of a woman's life from adolescence through menopause.  Her special interest in female sexuality, libido and the effects of childbirth on pelvic prolapse has led to Dr. Amersi's renowned expertise in these fields. She performs both surgical and nonsurgical treatments for pelvic prolapse and vaginal relaxation.

 

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Transcription: 
A growing number of women are electing to have their baby born be Caesarean section without any medical indications. This number is increasing drastically over the past five years. The reasons are typically that women desire more control over the birth of their child. They're afraid of pain, they want to plan their delivery where they feel more in charge. But most importantly, they choose a Caesarean section because they're afraid of the damages of a vaginal birth and what it will do to themselves. Pelvic floor disfunction, incontinence, sexual disfunction are all concerns that these women have. But surgery is not without risks, and you have to make an informed decision. The risks of a Caesarean section include bleeding, infection, organ injury, an increased risk of blood clots, wound infection, a longer hospital stay, and a longer recovery. Also, anesthesia risks are there. Furthermore, if you're planning to have more than one baby, you would need a second Caesarean section, as most doctors are not amenable to having a vaginal birth after a C-section. The more C-sections you have, the more risks you have.