When I first got pregnant I remember telling my mother-in-law that I hope I can have a c-section and not have to give birth vaginally. Boy, have my thoughts changed completely! I was very naïve in the thinking that a c-section was the way to go. What changed my thoughts? Research!
I was bored one day at home, and wanted to watch something on my apple tv that was baby/pregnancy related. I found this documentary called The Business of Being Born, by Ricki Lake. I thought it appeared interesting, and decided to watch it. The documentary shows several women doing home births naturally, instead of going to the hospital. In the documentary Ricki Lake discusses how she felt cheated in her birthing experience at the hospital. She feels as though she was pushed into having a c-section when it wasn’t really necessary. She felt robbed of the birthing experience. In the documentary she shows statistics on the amount of c-sections being done, and the most frequent times they are done. Clearly, it is more beneficial for doctors to have a c-section, then wait the grueling hours with the mother until the baby is ready to come out. Majority of women that were given pitocin to induce their labor (pitocin can also be used mid labor), wound up having to have a c-section.
What is pitocin? Pitocin is a synthetic form of oxytocin(http://www.childbirth.org/articles/pit.html). Oxytocin is a natural hormone produced by a woman’s body. Pitocin is used to induce labor or increase the strength of contractions. The important thing to know is that contractions induced by pitocin are different from your body’s natural contractions in strength and effect. The induced force of the contraction from pitocin may decrease uterine blood flow, therefore also reducing oxygen to the baby. Fetal distress is more common with pitcoin use and you will continuous electronic fetal monitoring. There are several risks for the mother and baby when given pitocin, you can read them here, http://www.childbirth.org/articles/pit.html.
Many women are eager and anxious to be induced, which is understandble. They are ready to meet their little one. However being induced, may result in a c-section. I want to list some of the risks of having a c-section. I got this information from http://www.americanpregnancy.org/labornbirth/cesareanrisks.html. The risks include, infection; hemorrhage; injury to organs; adhesions; maternal mortality; risk of additional surgery, ect. The important thing to realize is that having a c-section is a MAJOR surgery. I think our society has become so socially accepted to planning our c-section’s, that they forget what a major and dangerous surgery this really is.
Of course having a vaginal birth is no walk in the park either. There are also risks to vaginal births, though not as severe, but they should be mentioned as well. I got this information from http://www.childbirthconnection.org/pdfs/cesareanbookletinsert.pdf. The risks include painful vaginal area; bowel problems; sexual problems; excessive bleeding; tearing; hemorrhoids. Even though there are risks to having a vaginal birth there are also benefits. Tonight I found one from Baby Talk magazine. A vaginal birth exposes newborns to bacteria that help build their immune systems. Other benefits include: babies born vaginally have a lower risk respiratory problems, the passage down the birth canal stimulates the baby’s cardiovascular system, babies receive protective bacteria which is crucial for developing a balanced immune system, and babies also benefit from hormonal surges which results in them being more alert and able to connect with their mothers at birth. The list goes on and on about the increased benefits to a vaginal birth, you can find the rest of the information here: http://www.pregnancy-and-giving-birth.com/vaginal-birth-benefits.html.
Now knowing the risks and benefits I feel I am able to develop a birth plan of having a vaginal birth. However, I also know that there are certain risks where you will have no choice but to have a c-section. Some of those risks are if the baby is breeched or if the umbilical cord is wrapped around the baby. In that case the safest delivery for the baby and the mother is having a c-section and I am fully aware that that can always be a possibility and to be open to having a c-section for those reasons. I just want for mothers to do their research before allowing the doctor to induce them.
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