Birth, The American Way

THANK YOU! I completely agree. My 1st baby was a preterm vaginal delivery (still born due to extreme prematurity), my second baby was a fully natural full term delivery, my third baby was an extremely premature birth via C-section that was completely necessary. After having both low risk and high risk vaginal and c-section deliveries I see the need for both, but much prefer the vaginal delivery. I am wanting to conceive again but no one will let me deliver vaginally even though VBAC's are more successful when you've had a previous successful vaginal delivery. Some women have c-sections without complication, for me, however, the c-section took me 8 mo to recover from due to recurrent infections and other complications. For the vaginal deliveries I did need a few stitches but my recovery time was so much less. I keep praying that I will find a Dr. who will give me the choice to attempt a VBAC. Why should a DR tell me what I can and can't do with my own body. I do not advocate doing things that are not safe, but research has shown that as long as it is a normal low risk birth that attempting a vbac is safe. It saddens me that I won't be given the opportunity to have a vaginal delivery when I know how much I enjoyed my previous full term vaginal delivery. If I were given the opportunity and something went wrong then I would have no problem with the Dr. doing a c-section, the problem is not being given the option when all indications would show that for me a vbac would pose lower risks than a repeat s-section. Medical care needs to be catered to each individiual situation, but unfortunately many Dr.'s are not making the care as individually based as it should be. Every woman and every baby is different and they each need different care that suites their individual situation best. I think many mothers end up feeling guilty when their birth does not go how they want it to. Overcoming the sense of loss for a birth that does not work out well is difficult whether is is a vaginal or c-section delivery. Sometimes it is very hard for a woman to communicate their desires to a Dr. who does not have a lot of time to make the care catered to that specific woman. I keep hoping that there will be sweeping reforms to how medical care is offered to pregnant women so that all women are given adeqaute information about ALL types of births available to them, and explain what their options are if there are compliacations. Having a care plan AND contingency plan for the pregnancy and birth can help a woman know that she did everything within her power to give her baby the best ~ NO MATTER WHAT TYPE OF BIRTH is performed. And knowing that you've done the best for your child leaves you guilt free and able to enjoy your baby.

I have 2 sons both born naturally... I wasn't given the choice to have a C section as my sons were born in England where C sections are only offered to women whom the doctor feels will have complications if they have a natural birth. My second son was born with the help of suction, and very little gas and air. after his birth I felt ready to run a marathon and would recommend to anyone a natural birth with as few drugs as possible.

I've had 3 c-secs with 3 beautiful boys as a result. I was prepared for a natural birth with my first, but due to preeclampsia had to be induced...and I understand the cascade they are talking about. At first it was a big dissapointment, but having my baby there was worth it. This has become a hot topic and now women like me are made to feel like we did something wrong. My doctor wouldn't consider a vbac at all, and neither would the hospital,(as the rest of them in the area) so if I wanted more kids it was another csec. All of my kids were big and I was confident in my body, but with three bouts of pre eclampsia and gestational diabetis on the last...I think it was probably for the best. No, I don't think c-sec should be schedualed for the mother's ease. And I do think a lot of these doctors, hospitals, and insurers need to take a good long look at the birth process

kjh

Having a baby is "natural" whether it's by C-Section or Vaginal birth. I had 2 C-Sections, one in 1994 and in 1999 and my children and I along with my husband are all fine. I get sick to my stomach whenever people make it seem as if having a C-Section is un-natural.

Lamaze worked for me! I delivered a beautiful ten pound 4 ounce baby girl with my husband coaching and encouraging me. My doctor said I would have had to have a C-section if I hadn't been prepared with Lamaze techniques. Mary Lou R.

I gave birth completely naturally and yes, I am proud to say it. There is no reason why a woman who gives birth naturally should be condemned or patronized for her decision. Never once have i convicted another woman of being weak for deciding to have an epidural. It is the MOTHERS decision. I think the only reason people get so defensive when they hear that women are still giving birth naturally is because of that persons own feelings. Who cares how you decide to go about giving birth, let's just stop patronizing women for the route that they DO decide to take. I am all for medical intervention when necessary, and would have jumped at a C-section myself had there been any risks with the birth of my daughter. I think vaginal birth should be the only option though, unless these complications do arise. It shouldn't be, "ok m'am are we opting for the c-section or vaginal birth today?". that's just absurd.

I gave birth completely naturally and yes, I am proud to say it. There is no reason why a woman who gives birth naturally should be condemned or patronized for her decision. Never once have i convicted another woman of being weak for deciding to have an epidural. It is the MOTHERS decision. I think the only reason people get so defensive when they hear that women are still giving birth naturally is because of that persons own feelings. Who cares how you decide to go about giving birth, let's just stop patronizing women for the route that they DO decide to take. I am all for medical intervention when necessary, and would have jumped at a C-section myself had there been any risks with the birth of my daughter. I think vaginal birth should be the only option though, unless these complications do arise. It shouldn't be, "ok m'am are we opting for the c-section or vaginal birth today?". that's just absurd.

I work in labor and delivery as an RN and while I do agree that C-sections are on the rise, the idea that the hospital is out to solely make money off of a woman's labor is funny to me. When patients are induced using Pitocin, it is typically a mutual agreement between the patient and the doctor. The doctor cannot do anything to you without your consent. Do your own homework. Yes, Pitocin causes painful contractions, but so does your body's natural form of Oxytocin. Either way your contractions are going to hurt, with medication or not. I see plent of women who deliver vaginally without any pain medications. In fact, I attended two of those deliveries last night. Both of them were screaming with contractions despite alternative positions, birthing balls, and massage. Either way ladies, labor is painful. Ultimately you and your doctor need to come to an agreement. Remember, you are the patient and you have a choice in your medical treatment. If you don't want Pitocin unless its absolutely necessary, then don't take it! You have choices!

My daughter, now 5 yrs old, was born 2 weeks early via C-section after my doctor induced me due to high blood pressure. I was started on Pitocin, had a 36-hour labor and didn't dialate at all. I always felt I would have a C-section and was open to having one electively even before my doctor discussed this possibility. After my daughter was born and cleaned off, my husband immediately held her and carried her out of the OR and into my hospital room where she stayed with me until we went home 3 days later. I was out shopping 2 days later.

It really bothers me when people give such negative opinions about C-sections. I had a great experience with it and never once wished I had a vaginal birth!

The article by Jose Villar comes from a British medical journal, but not the BMJ and not in October. I found it in Lancet, June 3, 2006. The misleading reference resulted in extra time spent tracking down the article, and I am surprised that Newsweek could have made this slip in an otherwise worthwhile article.

Both of my children (who are both healthy and happy by the way) were born via c-section. If I had a choice, I would have chosen to do it the old-fashioned way, but the shape and narrowness of my pelvis told the doctors otherwise.
I don't think that women should be made to feel bad or guilty because of the fact that they have had one or two c-sections, even if they elect to do so. Anything beyond that, in my opinion, is too risky to the mom and the baby, but it is still their CHOICE. It is no one else's business how a mom chooses to give birth.

I served as both coach and midwife to my wife during our two home births. We have five children, and have had births both at home and the hospital. While we are totally sold on home births as the preferred way to go, we agree that the most important thing that couples need is GOOD INFORMATION so they can make INFORMED DECISIONS, and then ACCESS to the care that they need. In South Dakota, where we live, it is illegal for a midwife to attend a home birth. That means that to stay at home you either need to break the law to get the help of a "renegade" midwife willing to do jail time if she is caught helping deliver a baby (and I'm not just talking about lay midwives -- licensed nurse midwived that deliver babies in the hospital all the time are also prohibited). While these laws are written under the pretense of protecting mothers and babies, it really denies mothers the opportunity to make an educated decision concerning the health and welfare of themselves and their babies in order to protect the profits of the doctors and hospitals.