Caesareans Birth
When I decided to write an article about caesarean birth, I began with a web search.
What I found was shocking, I browsed through page after page looking for an article to quote that I felt highlighted the positive birth experience that it can be for many new families.
I found many sites that described the medical procedure, most often using that horrid term...
section.
I found many more that extolled the myriad benefits of VBAC (vaginal birth after caesarean).
I found only two that spoke of making this surgical procedure a true birthing experience.
Often times we hear about the proverbial pendulum swing; a terminology referring to cyclical changes in attitudes.
When I had my first caesarean birth in 1986, the general attitude of most new mothers was to blindly trust the opinion of their healthcare providers.
Despite feeling an intense sense of failure and anger at my doctor, if I broached the subject with anyone the common response was 'what does it matter you have a healthy baby.
' In the ensuing twenty years, the pendulum has swung.
Today, natural birth and VBAC are extolled as the ideal.
Part of the issue is the increasing number of caesarean births in Western countries.
The World Health Organisation states that caesarean rates should be 10% to 15%.
In the UK, the caesarean rate is closer to 25% and in the US it is an alarming one-third of all births.
The assumption has become that if a woman has a caesarean birth she must justify that decision.
Did she know that breech babies could be birthed vaginally? It is assumed that next time she will attempt a vaginal birth.
As a mother of six; 3 caesarean, 2 homebirths and adoption; I feel it is easy to lose sight of the most important thing: the mother, child and new family.
No matter how a baby is born, it is just a transition from one phase of life to another.
Birth is about meeting this little person that has grown inside you for so long.
It is about beginning your new lives together and bonding as a family.
A focus on natural or caesarean birth is like saying that the route is more important than the final destination.
If the goal is to travel from London to Manchester or New York to Los Angeles, there are seemingly infinite routes.
We may do research to find the quickest, most direct or scenic route, but if there is an accident or traffic that makes one route unusable then we quickly without a great deal of consideration switch to another.
Because of course it is the destination that matters most.
We do not spend our holiday regretting that we could not take our chosen route.
We focus on enjoy the destination.
In birth, the safety and health of the mother and baby both physical and emotional are the destination.
Is natural or vaginal birth the best route? For most women, the answer is a resounding yes.
But it is not the only one.
For some women and babies, a natural birth is not possible.
For others, there are mental and emotional factors that make caesarean birth a more desirable option.
For others, it is a simple risk and benefit analysis that makes caesarean birth the best option in their unique situation.
So then if you or someone you care about have a caesarean birth, how best to focus on that destination and accept the journey.
First of all, all pregnant women should consider the possibility of a caesarean birth.
A natural birth is not assured for anyone no matter how many books you have read, how many classes you took, how well you ate or how positive you think.
If we consider a caesarean birth as a possible outcome, then if our road becomes blocked we are better able to accept this new route without thoughts of failure.
Secondly, realise that a caesarean birth does not mean that your other plans must change.
If breastfeeding was important to you, it is still possible.
Even if you are separated from your new baby due to illness, yours or theirs, with help it is likely that you will still be able to successfully breastfeed for as long as you wish.
Finally, focus on your baby; the destination.
It is not uncommon for women to experience intense emotions following birth, any type of birth.
You may be angry or depressed or even have a sense of failure.
These emotions are perfectly normal, but so too is the wonder and joy of your new role.
Although caesarean is a surgical procedure, it is still the birth of your baby.
With proper planning and support a caesarean birth can be an enjoyable experience and a wonderful way to begin your new family.
You and your partner can successfully bond with your new baby.
You can breastfeed for as long as you wish.
But if you find yourself dwelling on the experience, it is important to seek support.
Trauma and Birth Stress is an on-line community with information on the healing process.
What I found was shocking, I browsed through page after page looking for an article to quote that I felt highlighted the positive birth experience that it can be for many new families.
I found many sites that described the medical procedure, most often using that horrid term...
section.
I found many more that extolled the myriad benefits of VBAC (vaginal birth after caesarean).
I found only two that spoke of making this surgical procedure a true birthing experience.
Often times we hear about the proverbial pendulum swing; a terminology referring to cyclical changes in attitudes.
When I had my first caesarean birth in 1986, the general attitude of most new mothers was to blindly trust the opinion of their healthcare providers.
Despite feeling an intense sense of failure and anger at my doctor, if I broached the subject with anyone the common response was 'what does it matter you have a healthy baby.
' In the ensuing twenty years, the pendulum has swung.
Today, natural birth and VBAC are extolled as the ideal.
Part of the issue is the increasing number of caesarean births in Western countries.
The World Health Organisation states that caesarean rates should be 10% to 15%.
In the UK, the caesarean rate is closer to 25% and in the US it is an alarming one-third of all births.
The assumption has become that if a woman has a caesarean birth she must justify that decision.
Did she know that breech babies could be birthed vaginally? It is assumed that next time she will attempt a vaginal birth.
As a mother of six; 3 caesarean, 2 homebirths and adoption; I feel it is easy to lose sight of the most important thing: the mother, child and new family.
No matter how a baby is born, it is just a transition from one phase of life to another.
Birth is about meeting this little person that has grown inside you for so long.
It is about beginning your new lives together and bonding as a family.
A focus on natural or caesarean birth is like saying that the route is more important than the final destination.
If the goal is to travel from London to Manchester or New York to Los Angeles, there are seemingly infinite routes.
We may do research to find the quickest, most direct or scenic route, but if there is an accident or traffic that makes one route unusable then we quickly without a great deal of consideration switch to another.
Because of course it is the destination that matters most.
We do not spend our holiday regretting that we could not take our chosen route.
We focus on enjoy the destination.
In birth, the safety and health of the mother and baby both physical and emotional are the destination.
Is natural or vaginal birth the best route? For most women, the answer is a resounding yes.
But it is not the only one.
For some women and babies, a natural birth is not possible.
For others, there are mental and emotional factors that make caesarean birth a more desirable option.
For others, it is a simple risk and benefit analysis that makes caesarean birth the best option in their unique situation.
So then if you or someone you care about have a caesarean birth, how best to focus on that destination and accept the journey.
First of all, all pregnant women should consider the possibility of a caesarean birth.
A natural birth is not assured for anyone no matter how many books you have read, how many classes you took, how well you ate or how positive you think.
If we consider a caesarean birth as a possible outcome, then if our road becomes blocked we are better able to accept this new route without thoughts of failure.
Secondly, realise that a caesarean birth does not mean that your other plans must change.
If breastfeeding was important to you, it is still possible.
Even if you are separated from your new baby due to illness, yours or theirs, with help it is likely that you will still be able to successfully breastfeed for as long as you wish.
Finally, focus on your baby; the destination.
It is not uncommon for women to experience intense emotions following birth, any type of birth.
You may be angry or depressed or even have a sense of failure.
These emotions are perfectly normal, but so too is the wonder and joy of your new role.
Although caesarean is a surgical procedure, it is still the birth of your baby.
With proper planning and support a caesarean birth can be an enjoyable experience and a wonderful way to begin your new family.
You and your partner can successfully bond with your new baby.
You can breastfeed for as long as you wish.
But if you find yourself dwelling on the experience, it is important to seek support.
Trauma and Birth Stress is an on-line community with information on the healing process.
Source...