Re: Cord 2x - automatic c-section?

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A C-section is a major abdominal surgical proceedure, performed on a patient that is usually not optimally prepared for such a surgery. An incision 6-9 inches long is made into an organ that has 500cc of blood flow a minute (a pregnant woman may have as little as 10,000cc total), and then ignore that incision for some period of time in order to rescue the baby, whose home (not to mention oxygen and nutrient) supply has just been interrupted. The incidence of postoperative infections has been reported in the literature to be as high as 40%, not too surprising when you realize that the surgical field is connected to the vagina, and is full of blood, the favorite food of those bacteria that prey on humans.

The all-too-common public perception of the C-section as being a simple and benign proceedure is a dangerous misconception. You do it if you have to, and only if you have to.

--
William D. McIntosh, MD
Clarksville, TN

This is for educational purposes only.  It is not intended
 to replace consultation and examination by your physician
 or other health care provider.

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