In my last post, I wrote about the increase in maternal deaths in the United States. In that post, I voiced (typed?) my opinion on the topic of preventing C-sections. Among other things, I had listed laboring at home as long as possible and avoiding induction as good preventative measures for avoiding C-sections.
And thanks to Ashley, I have proof that I’m not just making stuff up.
She sent me a link to this article from CNN.com/health on “Five ways to avoid a C-section.” And they are as follows:
1. Don’t get induced unless medically necessary 2. Labor at home until you’re approximately 3 centimeters dilated (Although, unless you have a midwife with you, are a midwife, or married an obstetrician, I’m not sure how you would be able to measure your dilation at home.)
3. Choose your hospital, and your practitioner, carefully 4. In the delivery room, ask questions if your practitioner says you need a C-section
The article discussed baby birth weight as an excuse for C-section, which really sparks my indignation. Unless the mother is diabetic and the doctor is without-a-doubt sure that the child cannot pass through the birth canal, I do not believe this to be an acceptable reason for a C-section. I said it before, and I’ll say it again: I believe that the female body was created with the intended purpose of giving birth. If we were unable to push out our babies, our species would die out!Of course, then you factor in the effects of the Fall of [Wo]Man (discussed in detail in the comment section here) you have to come to grips with the fact that there will be complications in labor and an over-sized baby is a possible reason for a C-section. But discuss with your doctor just how sure he is that your baby is indeed 11 pounds. What makes him think this? What would be the harm in letting labor start on it’s own? And what would be the harm in attempting a natural labor? If he has good reasons not to, then you make the decision accordingly. But do discuss with your doctor. Let him know your intentions, desires, and preferences (which also falls under #3).And there have been studies that have shown that a woman’s attitude can have everything to do with her ability to give birth naturally. If she is scared or convinced she is attempting to do the impossible, then her labor might stall. Those inhibitions should be tossed aside for a faster, smoother labor. And doctors telling you that your baby is too big to come out naturally do not coincide well with inhibition-tossing.
5. Get a doula
The Natural Mommy wants a doula. The Natural Mommy has considered (briefly) becoming a doula. Empowering, calming, educating women on the miracle of what their bodies were created to do? Sounds fun!
What kind of training is needed for this, Beth?
I don’t believe that birth weight has a lot to do with needing a C-section, either. I think head size is a bigger factor. However, it depends how big each women’s birth canal is (her pelvis–I forgot the correct name.
If you looked at me, you would see that I am very small boned. However, my labors have been relatively quick and I push for a few minutes. With my second, I hardly pushed at all. My pelvis is more than adequate, as my doctor would say. My babies are on the bigger side. Their heads were all in the 90 percentile. My first was 7.15 and he was almost 3 weeks early!!!
I don’t believe the weight of the baby is the factor. If the mother is big enough, the baby will come. I don’t think doctors will know if the mother is big enough until the time comes.
It is hard for moms to just relax and go with the flow. If problems arise later, address them, then. I think to many people jump the boat. That is why I am so laid back with labor. I just take what God hands me.
I’ve never had a doula, but the nurses were great with me. They knew how to massage which was a whole lot better than my husband. Men really need to stay out of the delivery room! 😉
Oh, massaging nurses?! I want one! I thought only doulas did that!
And yay for fast labors! My baby boy was 8lb 13 oz and was born on the second set of pushes. (My labors weren’t <i>all</i> bad :-))
I love for my husband to be in the delivery room, but it would be nice if he could massage.. or just knew what to do in general. Maybe <i>he</i> should get doula training!
I think husbands have been forced into the delivery room to experience this whole baby thing, but most husbands aren’t cut out for it. I think it is unfair to make them go through something that is something a woman can only understand. That is why so many people prefer women OB GYNs.
I always gave my patients massages! I wasn’t an OB nurse, but I knew it made my patients comfortable. It wasn’t a very long massage, but before they went to bed I would wash them down, lotion them and give them a little massage. Most of my patients were elderly and in bed all day, so they needed it. They also need the human touch.
I had great nurses for my babies, but I am worried about the next one. The hospital where I have had all my children has changed a lot and they have gotten rid of a lot of the good nurses and replaced them with agency and travelor nurses which aren’t usually the greatest. My sister gave birth there in the spring and the quality of care had fallen in the toilet. She really should’ve complained. Even the drs have complained about the poor nurses but the hospital administration is more interested in having nurses who keep their mouth shut and follow instructions than nurses who actually know what they’re doing and speak up if patient care needs to be addressed. It’s really sad. I will be sure to speak up if I see problems.
BTW, did you know that it is often possible for a woman to check her own cervix? If her hands are too small and/or fingers too short to reach her cervix, she can teach DH to check her cervix for her. Much safer than having a stranger check the mom (introducing bacteria & increasing mom’s risk of infection), since the mom & her hubby already share germs.
I have a similar yet reversed, and a bit tongue-in-cheek list called How to Have an Unnecessary Cesarean, in my pregnancy/birth journal. It’s about 4 posts down the list.
http://babyfit.sparkpeople.com/messageboard-thread.asp?imboard=38&imparent=798195
Wonderfully! Birth certified