I have the same concern - even though I had no problem with my gynae and his re-assurance HOWEVER I've realised that the dozen or so friends I have with children ALL ended up having c-sections for a range of "reasons". At 27 weeks I opted to move from my gynae (who took the news really well and even told me if I encounter any problems I should contact him) to a midwife. I just have that feeling of security that a midwife will do more to ensure a vaginal birth than a gynae.

c-sections are a lucrative business in SA. As a foreigner, with my partner having had a natural birth at home last year, to a healthy baby boy, I'm shocked to say the least about the stats regarding performed c-sections in SA. It is clear that money making and convenience prevail over real necessity, logic and health. My advise - get yourself a good midwife and inform yourself on the net - then re-evaluate whatever your doctor tells you... then decide what feels right and best for you.

Latest 'method' in private clinics is doctors first try to persuade you to have c-section though it's not needed. If you don't agree then they agree to a' natural birth' with an induction. Medical aids’ are conned by doctors! I have contacted 3 doctors at 1 private Netcare clinic and all only perform 'natural birth' with an induction at 38 weeks only. This is not natural birth! I have heard of countless others that do the same. They have their set days and they do their inductions on those days only. My doctor told me if I don't like the day he works on or don't want to go with his procedures then there are other doctors I can contact and I should go elsewhere. I have researched extensively and have guidelines from US OB/GYN college that strongly advises against inductions before 39 weeks. Induction doubles chances of c-section. C-section rate in private hospitals in SA is very high in comparison to other countries and government hospitals. Medical aids’ don’t cover elective c-section. If you want without needing, doctors will make it look needed so that medical aids pay. Many dangers with inducing labour at early stage, term for it: iatrogenic prematurity - meaning "doctor caused" premature birth. I strongly feel this needs to be exposed. Women are forced into unnecessary proceudres so that doctor’s lives are convenient and they are not called in the middle of the night. Doctors say reason they do induction is so that they can have full teams present. This is absolute nonsense. What they don't tell you is that an unnecessary induction doubles your chance of having an emergency c-section as your body is not ready for birth and the induction fails. You then are rushed for a c-section that was not needed. Inductions that are not necessary bring with them a series of complications. Your contractions are even far more painful. Seems it's all just a money making business and they no longer care about women and natural child birth. Medical aids’ are given false information to cover procedures. I 'fired' my gynae at 36 weeks and found myself a midwife at a birthing clinic that encourages natural births and have doctors on standby only for in case of emergencies. I am so glad I did this. I am due any day now and am happy to be able to make my own choices and not have a doctor tell me you either do it my way or get lost! I really wish someone would investigate this and expose this nonsense! Good luck and don't be forced into anything you do not need or want!

Oh please--give me a C Section any day--no tearing, incontinence in later life etc. Many women died having natural birth not so long ago! My idea of natural is no make-up facing the nearest shopping centre! Modern medicne is there for a reason--I bonded with my babies immediately after their c sectins with minimasl fuss--I was happy, they were happy and no trauma going through possibly hours of labour. I have two fabulous daughters who are healthy and happy asnd won't be sitting on the psychiatrist's couch in later life explaining that they are depressed due to the memory of going thru' the birth canal :) Seriously though this is a very personal decision but I really have great disdain for the natural bunnies that diss moms who make an informed choice wih the help of their doctors to have a c section. Move on people--we are in the 21st century!

There seems to be a patterne among women who believe that giving natural child birth is a right of passage to becoming a true mother. The 1st question a new mom is asked is "How are you going to give birth" or "How did you guve birth" and then the look of disdain when they hear you had a C-section, My wife went through this rubbish guilt trip and it was totally unnecassary. She was in labour for 12 hours and there were complications so it had to be done, but know one cared about that, because it was not natural. All that matters, and I mean all that matters, is if your child and you are healthy and happy. Do you really care that you doctor was available on that day or maybe your medical aid (that shafts you anyway) paid for more than they should? No! Ladies, its your choice what you do and keep perspective on whats important i.e. delivering a healthy child and not how you deliver.

OHFORGODSAKE! The downside of the internet is that American conspiracy nuts can spread their rubbish everywhere. It is AMAZING how many dumb people think that by reading some stuff on the internet they can learn more about safe birth than their obstetrician knows. Go and find out about the Dunning-Kruger effect, people.

If you need a c-section due to complications out of anyone's control then by all means yes. But it is major abdominal surgery after all. The pain and recovery afterwards is much more than if you have a normal vaginal birth. Women are afraid of tearing and the pain throughout labor but this is not the case for everyone. You don't always tear, the pain is bearable and if you can't handle it then have an epidural! And as for the incontinence, dropped bladder etc, that comes from the weight of carrying the baby during pregnancy, not the actual birth! Many women that have c-sections still suffer with that later in life. You don't have to 'push' your baby out to be a true mother, but far too many unnecessary c-sections are performed. If you need one then yes, otherwise vaginal birth should be the 1st option. Yes women have died giving natural birth, but did you know that the death statistics for c-sections and risks involved are higher? Did you also know that it is an important part of your baby being born to pass through the birth canal as this helps push out the excess fluids from their lungs? Something that does not happen if you have a c-section. C-section rates in the US are actually on the decrease but in SA they climb daily. Your doctor might be way more educated than you but he should still offer you the choice and not influence you into a procedure. And yes, they do it for their own convenience. Most women have become too 'plastic' now a days which goes nicely with the term" "Too posh too push!"

This is really an issue, My wife and I are 30Weeks pregnant and our gynae freaked out after we told him we wanted an option for natural birth. Doesn't the Dr assess the position of the baby and so on before declaring a c-section. It is really a money making scheme, because the Dr said that he doesn't perform natural birth we should go some where else ... I mean WTF. Now we found a good mid-wife in Boksburg(Kathleen)http://www.midwifedelivery.co.za --- the fact that she's willing to give us a chance with natural birth and yes a c-section should there be implications, means a lot to my wife. So if you also being forced for a c-section miles away from your birth time -- I believe thats just BS and these people just want to make more money.

I went all natural. I believe this is a personal choice. Moms who had c-secsiont are very quick to say us 'natural' ladies judge them, but I find it's the other way around! when discussing this topic with friends, I often get asked 'why didn't you just go for a c-section?'... c-section moms are ALWAYS 'allowed' to justify their dicisions, but us natural mommies must just beware not to voice OUR opinions to them. Isn't this just a tad warped?!

I had 2 caesars as i have a horrible fear of childbirth. Now all u au naturelle freaks dont jump down my throat, i had brilliant experiences, oh and still waiting for the so called pain. I was shopping 2 days later with both kids and driving, back at gym 4 weeks later. Each to their own, as long as baby born healthy. My gynae told me he charged more for natural births as the process was much longer then an organised c section. Just as well, my second child was transverse, my caesars were both planned at 39 weeks and my second daughter was 4, 425kgs. She would never have arrived naturally and 100 years ago i would have probably died!

I desperately wanted a natural birth for my first child but due to a cervix which simply would not open after many hours of painful labour, I had an emergency caesar (baby was in distress) under full anaesthetic. I battled to bond with my baby and suffered severe post-partum depression. The cut was so painful that I could not hold the baby properly to breastfeed. My second child was 4.38kgs and was delivered naturally (yes you can after a caesararian) without an epidural (although I did have pethedine). It was the most wonderful bonding experience. Once the head and shoulders were out the Gynae allowed me to pull him out myself. The difference between the 2 births cannot even be compared. My eldest is now 30 and my youngest is now 25 and I have no bladder problems whatsoever.