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Unnatural BirthsRead the article this discussion is about
This archived discussion is "read only".
» Kristen Cardozo - Much in agreement I was induced with my son, something I much regret now. I had wanted a natural birth, and though I tried to go without medications, the pitocen (I'm uncertain of the spelling) caused me to be in so much pain that I couldn't dilate until they gave me Nubain. After my son was born, and we realized that the induction had unnecessary, I felt as though I had had something stolen. The doctor attending me was not my midwife, and she gave me an episiotomy without asking. The nurses wouldn't let me squat and treated my then-partner, now husband, as if he was entirely in the way. We were treated to patronizing comments, unmistakable rudeness, and shoddy medical care. We were young, unmarried, and poor at the time, but that was no excuse. We had read up on everything and knew as much as possible about birth. I am thankful that I was not given an epidural or a C-section, but that is all I can look back on with satisfaction about the birth. My son is, of course, wonderful, and I am glad to have him any way possible. Now that I am pregnant again, we are exploring birth centers, since I have refused to try another hospital birth. I already have a written plan, and woe to he or she who tries to defeat it. Thanks for the article.-- posted by Kristen Cardozo » Laraliz - Re: Much in agreement In response to message posted by grand_vizier:First of all, congratulations to you and your family on expecting a new baby! How exciting and wonderful! I am sorry to hear about your negative birth experience with your son -- thank heavens he is healthy and happy! I think many women have had your exact same experience. Going into a hospital to give birth seems 'normal' in our society, but if you want a natural birth, you are in for a rude awakening in most hospital settings. I highly reccommend finding a Bradley Method instructor to help you and your husband achieve a natural, intervention-free birth. You can find a directory by visiting http://www.bradleybirth.org Also, make sure you and your husband ask TONS of questions at each birth center you visit. The closer their philosophy is to your actual birth plan and your own philosophy, the easier it will be to have a smooth and peaceful birth experience for you and your new baby. Best wishes and all of life's blessings to you and your family! -- posted by Laraliz » scottishgirl - A Different Perspective.... While I had also planned on a "natural" birth for my first child, I was very glad to have been in the hospital while labouring.My son's umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck twice, and his head was too large to pass through my pelvis. If I had not been monitored, the early warning signs that my son was going into distress would have been completely missed. (Being a nurse and having attended many births, I know that a midwife, doctor or nurse can check a fetal hearbeat, but intermittent checking would not have been as timely as a continuous monitor.) My son was delivered by C-section while I was under epidural anesthesia. I was awake and pain-free for the delivery. Does this make me less of a mother? Let's not be silly. :-) Even had I been unconscious, I would still be his mother and our bond would be just as strong as it is now. Just because someone does not (or cannot) have a medication-free, intervention-free home birth doesn't make them weak or "unnatural". Any delivery that results in a healthy baby and a healthy mother is a successful delivery, regardless of the methods used. Sometimes, those of us who need extra medical attention or help are made to feel "less motherly" than those who don't. I have three beautiful, healthy children, all delivered by C-section, and since the outcomes were so successful, I would not change a thing! :-) I guess I just wanted to offer another point of view. :-) -- posted by scottishgirl » Laraliz - Re: A Different Perspective.... In response to message posted by scottishgirl:Hi, Karyn. Thanks for your message. You make a very good point in your discussion. I agree with you that a c-section or intervention-laden birth does not make a woman less motherly. I hope I never implied such a thing. I certainly never meant to imply that. When I wrote this article, I think I was more concerned with women who could have easily given birth without interventions, but once the doctors gained 'control' of their labor, they ultimately ended up having to be 'delivered' and lost the birth experience entirely due to drugs or an unecessary c-section. The March/April issue of Mothering Magazine has a fantastic article about Pitocin and labor induction leading to interventions and c-sections. Check it out if you are interested. I also want to mention that my topic area exists to offer "A Different Perspective" from mainstream society and traditional Western medicine: the perspective that our bodies are inherently wise and that we are capable with a strong mind-body connection of assisting our own bodies in healing and maintaining wellness. My Natural Family perspective may not always be popular, but I will defend it passionately, because I wholly believe in the wisdom of Nature. Congratulations on your 3 healthy children and thanks for visiting Natural Family Living. -- posted by Laraliz
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