Bleeping Unbelievable

Salt Lake City has arrested a woman on murder charges because she refused a Caesarian mode of delivery for her twins.

They're making it sound awful, too, implying that she wanted to avoid a scar even at the sacrifice of her child's life. What they aren't forthcoming about is that the 28 yr old woman has a very long history of mental illness.

Aside from that, I'm sorry to say this is one more instance of the government deciding to hold a woman hostage to biological function. First, Caesarians have been refined, but they're still not completely aproblematic. To pretend that someone's concern could only be counted as purely cosmetic is probably a misstatement for any woman, and certainly one who has mental problems. A Caesarian is a surgical procedure and as such, it should be considered carefully and with a full understanding of the possible problems that could develop.

Second, there are women - a couple I've known - who scheduled an unnecessary Caesarian simply to choose the time when the baby arrives. I'm told some upscale doctors have recommended this to very busy working women, for example. If something happens during the Caesarian and a child dies, do you charge the mother and doctor with murder?

One woman I used to work for not only planned the date of her Caesarian for her best availability, but for her doctor's as well - he was about to leave on vacation and she wanted him to perform the delivery before he left. But one big difference between this woman's situation and the case of the Rowland woman who was arrested is that Rowland is poor, mentally ill, and likely was getting medical services through some public program. Thus, Rowland makes a much easier victim than a well-heeled business woman.