What is acceptable?

[Luna Lovegood]

I believe that mental illness is as good as any other reason to have csec, though by the standards of many people, and clinicians, this is disagreed as vaginal birth is better for the baby.

How can it be better for the baby though if it distresses the mother- the carer of the baby?

Is the mothers fear, or illness not as real as any other condition?

:confused:

[sansha]

There remains a good deal of debate about the likely harm of various birthing approaches and what is safest for mum and baby. In any event, an elective c-section is very safe for both mum and baby, irrespective of whether it is more or less safe than other options.

Given that I chose a c-section birth, I believe that women should be allowed to birth as they see fit. I see no reason why a mental health reason need be given but I also consider mental issues to be as serious of physical issues, with regard to health.

[Me]

I don't think that it's something that can have a blanket rule applied to it.

It really is going to depend on the mother's point of view, what she wants, what mental illness she's suffering and to what extent. Many a mentally ill woman has VB'ed a baby without feotal distress.

I'm not really sure where your post has come from, so I can only really comment on the topic as a whole.

At the end of the day, a mother should be able to birth her baby in whichever way she chooses, not told that it HAS to be 1 way or another by someone else. That said though, medical professionals have the obligation to provide the information that a patient seeks in order to be able to help them make the decision.

[beebs]

Yes I agree, mental illness can be as devastating as medical illness. I think a woman should have the right to choose without the fear of discrimination.

[delirium]

Can you be more descriptive about what type of mental illness you are elluding to? If it was something like PTS or an anxiety disorder from a sexual assault then I understand.

After having 2 c/s I myself, am for vb. But really, it's none of my business why women have it done (meaning elective c/s not emergency). As long as the women are fully informed about the pain, recovery and possible complications, then it's her choice.

[tee]

A healthy, happy mother = a healthy, happy baby before or after birth. Ongoing debate about when and how an elective c-section should be used pales in significance to the fact that mental illness / issues can be very serious and can affect the mother's/baby's wellbeing, and even jeopardise their lives if disregarded for something such as 'oh but natural birth is always better for both the mother and child'.

Each to their own, as always. The debate over c-sections will go on forever, unless people start realising that it isn't black and white territory - each mother is different, each case is different and I'm sure that in most circumstances - the mother is always making the decision that is best for her baby.