maternity ward

different places have different procedures - i think in the states and other countries every thing has become over-medicalised, i mean everything is a procedure, not seen as natural process - lots of ladies i talk to on american message boards just hang out until they are pronounced as being 3 cms/established labour so they can get an epidural and ride out the rest of the labour!! so of course the c-section rate increases with that!! plus, with those countries being so litigious, i think medical practitioners are very OVERLY cautious and sometimes do not trust in things to go well even if everything points to the woman and baby being fine. so they do c-setions at first sign of trouble, etc.

with waters breaking it depends on which waters have gone, whether they are just the forewaters etc or the whole lots, sometimes everything seems to seal back up, no more leakage happens and baby and mum seem to be fine - other times the whole lot goes and therefore baby has to come out.

ok.. so enough of my nursy explanation... hope that answers your questions.

I've been thinking that too when I watch it - I am almost cheering and clapping when they show the few that give birth naturally. And from the TV it looks like the Dr walks in and is like "oh nah you cant do it - I'll ring the OR" ... No consultation with any other doctors!! I remember when they were booking me in for an emergency c - section (before arna decided she was coming out naturally!) I remember there was the m'wife, specialist and another dr (ped maybe?!)

I don't know ay, all a tad strange for me - I usually watch Gift of Life (organ donors) before that and just end up sitting there!!

One thing I didn't know (sorry changing topic) is to donate your organs you have to be brain dead and on life support - you can't donate if say you die at home / car accident etc (if you die instantly I mean) Jst strikes me as they keep going on about they need more organ donors but the selection process etc is so strict (can understand why though)... thats my 2 cents!!

Back to Maternity Ward now...

True, Ive seen quite a few babies born with that thing where the stomach is on the outside, thats always a c section and a couple of weeks ago they had a baby born at something like 22 weeks, she was tiny but survived 8 days which amazed me. I always end up in tears watching, hubby thinks Im nuts.

Robyn - Yeh i totally know what you mean lol cory laughs at me lol i made him watch it a few times and he hates it lololol

OK, I'm at work so couldn't be bothered reading all posts... but I'd say it's mainly in America that they do C-sections. I'm pretty sure they have a high rate of intervention (don't know whether you were watching brit version?)
Also Maternity Ward focusses on high risk pregnancies most of the time

-rachael- i know that documentry i think..... it has been on a few times. its really neat. i taped it (if its the same one) i dont know the name either, but it was really good.
i personally know of 3 people that have had c-sections in the last 5 years. and i have known lots of people having babies!!! so i dont think its as common here...
but it is interesting the differences in how things are in each country. but yeah it is more high risk ones on the show.