Birth, The American Way

This might sound alittle ridiculous but I have 2 children and both were vaginal births and my sister has had 2 c-sections and now she always makes fun of me and says I am loose. So maybe that could be another reason why women are opting for c-sections. Anyhow I don't think I would risk my life or the the life of my baby just to please a man.

Something that I'm reading over and over again is that in a hospital, you're surrounded by people who care for you and are ready to jump in the event of an emergency and that is not the case at home. I've had a c/s birth in a hospital, a mw birth in a hospital (yes, epidural), and a home birth with midwives. The place where I was most surrounded by caring people ready to jump in case of an emergency was at home. In the hospital, I was hooked up to monitors and left alone for long periods of time. I was checked on a few times an hour and then ignored. The labor was long and difficult, I had absolutely no support from the staff. Yes, in that circumstance I could not give birth to my baby and needed a c/s. My second birth, the mw came and assisted. It was great, but she didn't come right away, the hospitals don't get the actual birth attendant unless you're so far along or there's a problem. So, I did get the epidural. At home, when I went into labor, my midwife came right away and stayed with me THE ENTIRE TIME, checking on how the baby and I were doing. Oh wait, she did leave to go around the corner and get food and came right back when we called that labor was picking up. If there was a problem, we had a plan in place and a dr to call to meet us at the hosptial. So, for those who think that the decision to home birth is an either/or one, you are misinformed. If something went wrong, I'd be the first to the hospital. I agree with the last poster (dishgirl) that either way you become a mohher and you need to make your decision based on your own research and what is best for your family. Both vaginal deliveries and c/s can leave scars. I have a problem with people making assumptions without doing the research.

Reading through the comments I notice one thing missing. Some (not all) people have reduced motherhood down to labor. As a mother of 2 boys (one "naturally" one c-section) I had the joy of 9 months of them moving inside me, laughing when you could tell they had hiccups and feeling them shift if you stroked my belly. Having a long labor did not make me feel more attached to my first over my second. Feeling a child grow inside you and the choices you make after they are born have more impact on making you a mother. Read up on "options" avail, both pros and cons, research where you can have your preferred delivery and go in with the idea that either way you are a MOTHER

I think that a lot women often have c sections now because they need to add another accesory ( a child) to their wardrobe. i was invited to a baby shower that had nothing to do with the baby at all. The mother-to-be sent out a list with names of her masseuse, salon and manicurist so we could get her gift certificates. These womwen really feel like they are giving something because they had to miss a scrapbooking class, or pilates to give birth. Fortunately now they can plan for the gender and time of birth so it really isn't inconvenient for them at all. Then they can make sure to spend $$$ on prams , baby rooms and other items that make sure their baby gives them the amount of attention they need. It's no longer about the a family it's about where this will put their status. The best thing is that you can match your child to your outfit, like Paris and her chihuahua

I think the c-section rates are that high because of doctor's not allowing vbac's. I had a c-section with my first one because of fetal distress which I think was necessary. With my second child I had a repeat cesarean because I went all over the state (Kansas) and found nobody who would let me attempt a vbac!
It is just ridiculous that when you've had once a cesarean, nobody will support your decision for a vbac.

I do think c-sections can be lifesavers. They are essential in certain situations. What bugs me is that women are forced to undergo repeat cesareans that are sometimes not necessary!

Once again people are failing to take away the whole point of this article and movie--C-Sections are being done UN-NECESSARILY. I think all natural or vaginal birth advocates will all agree that there are always circumstances to where a C-Section is necessary, but not NEARLY at the rate that they are currently being done. If your C-Section was absolutely necessary, then don't take offense at the article or comments because you know deep down that it was the most necessary thing to do at the time.

I am so tired of the portrayl of c-sections as a "choice." After 28 hours of hard labor (on my own) with the help of a doula and my husband, the best solution was to do a c-section. My daughter was 9 lbs, 8 oz and unable to get into the birth canal. The c-section was the best solution for by my daughter and me (who was in distress). Before jumping to judge someone else's situation, I encourage the natural birth advocates to walk in my shoes. I'm glad other women were able to have more natural birth experiences, but that's not always a choice as these types of programs present. It's a complicated matter and has to do with a number of factors -- the mother's weight, bone structure, etc. And what's most important to me is not how she arrived - but that both of us are healthy.

I am continually distressed by the portrayal of c-sections as "elective." After 28 hours of hard labor which I endured with the help of a doula and my husband, I had no choice but to have a c-section. My daughter was 9 lbs, 8 oz, and was unable to move into the birth canal. While she was doing fine, I was the one in distress. It was not part of my or my docotor's preferred birth plan, but it was the best solution given the circumstance. Programs and comments which do not take into account the necessity for this operation are clearly biased and irresponsible. Before jumping to judge, I encourage natural birth advocates to try walking in my shoes for a change. I would have loved to have had another "choice" of delivery, but due to the circumstances, I didn't have another "choice." And what's most important to me, is not how both my daughters arrived, it's that all of us are healthy.

As a certifeid nurse-midwife, my goal is to help women experience the most satisfying birth. While prioritizing the safety component, we empower women to make choices and goals using a birth plan.
By offereing 24 hours by each midwife, we provide continuity, but limit unnecessary interventions, inductions and stimulation for convenience as we are there for each woman. As women reach or modify their goals with our support and guidance, most stretch their self esteem and authentic self.
Pain is not pleasant but using diversional activities and relaxation techniques can be managed and worked through successfully.
In our efforts to promote safety, in some cases (when necessary) C/Sections are a tool to achieve the best outcome of healthy baby and healthy mother.
As we strive to keep Birth is the natural, low risk experience it usually is, hospital births with midwives offers an empowering low risk, high support birth using alternative pain relief ideas to achieve their goals, packaged with access to timely interventions as needed for the unexpected concerns.
Women must educate themselves on choices and options as shown so well in the movie.
We're excited that the movie will be shown February 26, 2008 in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Sorry -giving birth IS painful an bloody-and C sections are a fine alternative to vaginal labor! I only did that once-it was AWFUL-the rest of my babies were sections-MUCH BETTER! All the BS in this article about low birth rate all of my boys were C sections and over 8 pounds! Also-no other issues! The crazy natural birth granola psychos need to stop pushing their views on others. People who WANT to do natural birth should
do it- but leave the rest of us alone!

As a Doula, I've seen several births that ended in sections because of the 'cascade of interventions' mentioned above. Where doctors were too impatient to wait for the natural course of labour and the doctor's clocks were ticking. These women, though happy they had a healthy baby at the end, were disappointed they did not have the birth they wanted. It is disappointing when doctors can't trust in the natural process that is birth.
But I think the key to women feeling great about their birth is choice. The freedom to make their choices and not be bullied into interventions that may not be necessary. The freedom to make informed decisions and to be given all the information before decisions are made.

I was a homebirth midwife for 10 years in Oregon, from 1975-1985. I've seen "The Business of Being Born" and read some of the comments below. Although I have a lot to say about the subject, I think the most important thing to remember is that as each woman is a unique person, so is each labor. To me the ideal labor is one in which the woman is able to be as comfortable as possible (home or clinic or hospital) can have whomever she needs for support, and advocacy, has practiced breathing, letting go, surrendering, etc., and is prepared to accept emergency support, if necessary. While many readers may agree with me, the words "if necessary" are the current stumbling point. For some women, or pregnancies, a C-Section is inevitable. I would suggest a focus on what kind of pregnancy and labor support women need who want a vaginal birth. Is the Doula movement helpful? If Lamaze is losing participants maybe new approaches are needed. The Home Birth Movement in the 1970's began because women refused to be tied down, drugged and separated from their family. Hospitals responded with birthing rooms when they lost customers. How about an online listing of C-Sections rates for physicians? If women started choosing doctors with lower rates, as long as they were compatible in other ways, maybe a new message could be sent.

I was a homebirth midwife for 10 years in Oregon, from 1975-1985. I've seen "The Business of Being Born" and read some of the comments below. Although I have a lot to say about the subject, I think the most important thing to remember is that as each woman is a unique person, so is each labor. To me the ideal labor is one in which the woman is able to be as comfortable as possible (home or clinic or hospital) can have whomever she needs for support, and advocacy, has practiced breathing, letting go, surrendering, etc., and is prepared to accept emergency support, if necessary. While many readers may agree with me, the words "if necessary" are the current stumbling point. For some women, or pregnancies, a C-Section is inevitable. I would suggest a focus on what kind of pregnancy and labor support women need who want a vaginal birth. Is the Doula movement helpful? If Lamaze is losing participants maybe new approaches are needed. The Home Birth Movement in the 1970's began because women refused to be tied down, drugged and separated from their family. Hospitals responded with birthing rooms when they lost customers. How about an online listing of C-Sections rates for physicians? If women started choosing doctors with lower rates, as long as they were compatible in other ways, maybe a new message could be sent.

I'm sorry that there is such a backlash and criticism about birth. A homebirth is not some statement against hospitals and the C-section rate or some defensive measure; it is (or should be) an uplifting of the dignity of women and babies and therefore should be looked upon as a positive experience. -Lynn M. Griesemer, author of YOUR BODY, YOUR BIRTH: SECRETS FOR A SATISFYING AND SUCCESSFUL BIRTH. www.yourbo