CHILDBIRTH... THE EASY WAY

Is there an "easy" way to have a baby?

Apparently some women think so. Researchers believe the number of voluntary Cesarean sections is up, and doctors suspect it's because women may be afraid to labor and deliver vaginally. A new study by the Centers for Disease Control looks at nearly six million birth records. It concludes that C-sections believed to be voluntary are putting babies at risk. The CDC reports twice as many babies born from voluntary C-sections died in the first month of life, compared to babies born vaginally.

The study is in the current issue of "Birth: Issues in Perinatal Care" (http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1523-536X.2006.00102.x) .

Here's the caveat: the CDC isn't sure if the Cesareans they studied were really voluntary. All they know is that the birth certificate noted no medical risk factors. Critics say that's a major flaw in this study.

We DO know that C-sections are up 41 percent in the past decade. For those who think it's the "easy" way to have a baby, let me tell you -- I've done it twice, and it's NOT.

Thanks to Mother Eve, childbirth is painful -- on the front end or the back end. Drugs can make it much easier, but not pain-free. After my first Cesarean, I envied friends who were up and about the same day their babies were born. I could barely sit up. And trying to care for a newborn after major surgery is no joke. Count on being out of pocket (i.e. off work) for eight weeks.

Then there's the issue of VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) for mothers who "really" want a natural birthing experience. A few years ago, VBAC was popular, but rates have declined to about 9 percent of all births. Concerns about rupture and fetal distress are too great for many women to risk.

Which brings me back to the question -- is there an "easy" way to have a baby? If you're determined to avoid physical pain, consider adoption -- and don't forget older children and special needs kids. There are thousands of little ones in the U.S. and abroad who could use your love.

T