Letter of the day: Choice of childbirth methods is a complex personal decision

Thanks for covering the subject of Caesarean sections ("High-tech births vs. nature's way," May 30). True, Caesareans are on the rise. However, the reasons stated -- patient preference, doctors' schedules, economic incentives and malpractice suits -- underestimate both medical professionals and mothers. Medical advances have made it possible to track the health of a mother and unborn child so that complications can be spotted and a baby who is in distress can be delivered safely. Last month I delivered my son by Caesarean at Abbott Northwestern. I "chose" a Caesarean because medical complications made it necessary, but the OB made it clear that this was still my choice. Dannette Lund, who was featured in the article, was bold or foolish; it's not my place to judge. But she was certainly lucky, and so was her child. A Caesarean is not an act of convenience or selfishness or ignorance. It is major surgery and not undertaken lightly. Yet I, like so many other women, was unable to risk the health of my child because I had dreamed of natural, vaginal childbirth. I wept when I "chose" a Caesarean. I also wept when, thanks to my talented, dedicated team of doctors and nurses, my healthy child was placed in my arms an hour later. KATY MIKETIC, MINNEAPOLIS