So, in reading the story of the drummer boy tonight, it made me realize that Mary was not surrounded by nurses and and an Obgyn there to catch the baby. More likely, if she was not alone with her husband, then she was surrounded by other women of the village, in helping her deliver her baby. There are various versions of the birth out there.
But the whole birthing thought brought to my attention the benefits of midwives. Here is the video that I viewed the other day. "Why Chose a Midwife" When I think back to the care I received from a hospital birth with Obgyn care, versus midwife care, there is no comparison. And I didn't have a cesarean, but was almost given an emergency one. When I think of the cost alone of one vs the other, it's also amazing. It would have cost me $7-10,000 for a hospital birth (possibly counting a cesarean), and it was under $4,000 for a midwife birth. I'm not saying that cost should be a deciding factor, but just showing a comparison of the cost I would have faced.
Cesarean rates are also climbing in the US. This article here, on cesarean sections seems to cover it spot on. I speak to many women who are induced and end up having a cesarean. Most of these are first time moms. There is only a small percent of women who will not go into labor. Once 40 weeks comes, doctors seem to get impatient. They start talking of cesareans, or induction. Some midwives will speak of natural induction as well. For me, anything that messes with the hormones, would have to be greatly weighed, especially for impending birth. One reason is because the 40 week due date, is done by a standard, 28 day cycle calculation. Many women have cycles either shorter or longer, and so their due date, is not going to be when the chart says. I know some women who were told in their first prenatal visits that they would have a cesarean-from the Obgyn. Reasons-hips too small, mother had a cesarean because she didn't go into labor, or early bleeding in the first trimester. These women never had a choice, really, at what type of birth they wanted, because immediately, the doctor put in their mind, to have a cesarean.
Another reason- because the baby might be too big. Well, if you don't let a woman go into labor, so the pelvic bones can move, how do we know if the baby is too big? But, doctors don't mention that. I feel that doctors DO, have a very casual attitude about cesareans. Two good things are that Vbacs are being done, though the rates are not as high as they used to be, and that the National Institute of Health had a conference about cesareans this year. This is their Vbac statement. I still talk to women who have had a cesarean, and still are decided to have another one, should they have another child. These women have their doctor, once again, reminding them of why they had a cesarean the first time, and will probably have one again.
Now, for my experiences, which I would like to share. Cesarean was never brought up by my obgyn. Not until the birth of our first child. Looking back, I can honestly say we were bullied, being first time parents. We basically did what the doctor suggested. Even though, I had questions about some of the things-repeated ultrasounds and stress tests being two of the main things. My child apparently wasn't big enough for them, and put the fear into us, that he was not developing correctly. Hmm, possibly my date of conception was off? Possibly, all the stress they were placing on me was having an effect? Possibly, the fact that both my husband and I are small people, might have had an impact? I didn't like all this extra stress, and by my seventh month, was having preterm contractions, and placed on partial bed rest. I believe both the stress and what I now know to not be the best nutrition, were factors. I also did not like, that I hardly ever saw my obgyn. I saw him for perhaps 10-15 minutes a visit. By my 37th week, my blood pressure started to rise. Once again, I believe it was stress and nutrition. I'm not saying I ate horribly, but from what I know of nutrition now, it wasn't the best.
Speaking with my obgyn, I made it clear that I did not want induced. I did not want an episiotomy. I did not want any pain medication. I wanted to be able to walk around. I was going to breastfeed. No one was to touch my child.
Well, on my due date, we were sent to the hospital yet again, for yet another ultrasound, because I failed the stress test. Instead, we promptly checked in after arriving and I was hooked up to an iv, and told to stay in bed. And induction was to be started-Pitocin, and my water was broken. At this point, I had no idea we could refuse this, and by now, things were moving too fast, and pretty much out of my control. I couldn't walk around, and the Pitocin
Now, you'd think that finally being allowed to push, or rather, my body that was taken over by the Pitocin and doing it's own pushing, would deliver the baby quite promptly. Not so. The epidural set in, the baby's heart rate plummeted, and my legs went numb at the same time. I felt useless. I was told an episiotomy had to be done (which I partly felt), or we would have an emergency cesarean. In seconds the baby was out. Was fine. I was not happy with the pushing on my uterus after to deliver the placenta. But, I finally got my baby, and he latched right on to nurse. Immediately after that though, and by this time the obgyn was gone, the staff took him to the nursery. Also not in my birth plan. This was supposed to be a baby friendly hospital, too.
The after effects of being induced and given an epidural-an awful migraine, feeling and looking drugged up. My blood pressure sky rocketed. I was not allowed to nurse my child, and didn't see him until about six hours after he was born. By this time he'd been given formula without my consent, because his sugar was low. Well, so is mine, and the nurses promptly apologized when they found that out, and that I was nursing. That led to a whole other set of breastfeeding and gut problems for the first few weeks. My obgyn-he got points for saying I could go home the next day. I didn't see him until my six week check up.
Now, lets fast forward a few years to our second child. Because of the birth experience the first time, I had immediately searched for breastfeeding support and an attached parent group when I got home. So I knew my birth options the second time. I did call my ob, but I interviewed two midwives, on the recommendations of some friends and other moms. My concern was my husband would not go along with this. But he realized how pissed I was about the first time, and he must have done his own research. He went with me to meet the final choice, and was very happy with them. There were two midwives and an assistant. My visits with them-at least 30 minutes. We talked about prior births, family history, my nutrition (which was so much better, since I had started researching epigenetics not long after the first birth), my birth plan, my fears about the pregnancy etc. I was worried my blood pressure would go up again-instead it dropped. I had to monitor it a few times, but all I had to do was check it myself. There were no stress tests. There was 1 ultrasound, which I think could have been opted out of. The glucose test was done via meal, which is more accurate. I did not have preterm labor. I had 2 due dates-one for the silly calculator, and one by when I knew to be the more accurate date. We had back up plans in place, if we went to 42 weeks. I was told the obgyn they used would want to do a cesarean after 42 weeks, if labor didn't start via induction of either breaking the water, or trying other "natural" things. I was able to call or visit my midwives any time I needed. On my 39th wk check up, my midwife said she'd see me the next week, because even though the baby was low, and had been, there was no real dilation or effacement, though in my first pregnancy, I did have quite a bit near the end. Ironically, we called her the next morning, as I was in full labor. That goes to show, that even if not dilated or effaced, baby can come. We had our second birth at the birth center. This time, my body was able to adjust to the increasing contractions and strength of them, naturally. I was able to breathe and focus. I was able to control the pain, because my body naturally made room, on it's own. If I had been able to function as far as walking, like the early stages of labor, I would have. And I would have made use of the birthing tub. But my body went quickly through the stages, and I was still able to adjust. There was no episiotomy. There was warm massage with oil to help stretch and make room, so there would be no tearing. Baby was born pretty quickly-same time frame as the first induced birth actually, but it was so much better. My midwives endorsed breastfeeding, and since I was, they asked after a few minutes if I would try nursing, to help birth the placenta. How nice that was-I barely felt it compared to the first time.
An interesting thing about this birth-my child was facing Occiput Posterior, and was still delivered quickly, with no birthing problems. He just felt, "lodged" at one point. I felt like I couldn't push him out, and now I know why. That position is supposed to be a hard labor, with back pain. I believe, if we had been in a hospital, I would have been pushed into a cesarean. Especially, if I had the same obgyn, and no support. My midwife never mentioned this about the baby's position, because she didn't want to stress me out. I honestly didn't grasp the significance of the "easy" birth, with this position, until I spoke with some other moms.
So, other than a wonderful birth experience and support system-I got to keep my baby next to me from the start. I was able to breastfeed at any time. I had no real vaginal pain, because there was no tearing or cutting. I was able to get up, walk and take a shower, and not be drugged up, needing assistance. I went home the same day, and felt so great, my family had to keep telling me to sit down and relax! I got to see my midwife the next day. Also for my six week check up, and I was able to call them at any time, prior to that, if needed. How fantastic is that? When does an obgyn do that?
Lastly, I have to say, that when we became pregnant the third time, resulting in a loss, from being in a car accident, those midwives were there for me-for us. I have since lost track of the number of times I called them for something. They had me come in for a check up-free of charge. I went in for some counselling-also free of charge. I cried on their shoulders. I felt peace in their arms. I was able to just talk, talk, and more talk, about everything that happened, and why. I got calls from them to see how I was. We received a sympathy card. I do not know a regular obgyn who would do that. Perhaps if they are a family friend, or had been your ob for years, but not a regular obgyn.
I recommend the midwives we had to everyone, and if they don't live here, at least inform them of the birth choices out there. Where to find information. I tell them my story if they want to listen. Because we are women, and we are strong. We are powerful. We have been giving birth for years without medical intrusion. If we Know our Choices, and have support, we can have wonderful births. This does apply to cesareans and vbacs as well. We can make our experiences better, and pass it on to our children. Let them see that birth is a natural thing, and not to be feared.
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