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Come on in and sit awhile while I talk about the "Little Things" in life. I will share my journey of everyday life.... homeschooling, raising my children, homesteading, gardening, health and wellness, and real life.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

So, Why Does It Matter HOW A Baby Comes Out?-- UPDATED

Ahhhhh... the question everyone seems to want to know these days, yet few understand.  Let's face it... in the United States most areas have a 50% c-section rate and most people have just gotten use to the idea of c-sections as part of birth.  Some even prefer it, so they can "plan" it.  I will never understand that, but it is the outlook for many women today.  In my case I only "planned" to have two children originally.  Even so, I still wanted a natural birth, but ended up with a c-section for my first birth.  A couple of years later the hospitals started changing their policy to more of a "once a c-section, always a c-section" philosophy and started BANNING VBAC births.  After my first c-section I had no options that I knew of and had to (or thought I had to) have a repeat c-section.  Life changed and God changed my heart about children.  I absolutely loved being a Momma.... and loved my children.  In fact the first moments I held Savannah for the first time I said, "I could do this three or four more times!"  Most women don't say that immediately after birth, whether it be via c-section or natural delivery.  And when people ask how many children we will have I say, "I don't know, but I just take it one pregnancy at a time."  At this point in my life, though.... it is a bit different.  After FOUR c-sections there is more to it..  Is it safe to continue having c-sections?.... No.  There is no doubt about that.  If I am going to have more children there is going to have to be another way.  If I can not have a natural birth I am going to have to reconsider having more children.... for the safety of the babies... myself... and so I will be here for the children I do have.  So, for ME that is why it matters how a baby comes out. 

I believe God designed our bodies and He designed our bodies to birth vaginally.  There is a place for doctors when they are needed, but I do not believe pregnancy is an illness.  I believe too many interventions are taking place by doctors and their staff that are creating an epidemic of c-section births.  I also believe that one day they are going to answer to God for it.  They have a chance to change things and now is the time, but as the doctor I saw about a VBAC delivery clearly stated that they just don't want the commitment it takes.  Once a VBAC patient goes into labor the doctor is required to stay by her side to monitor her for a possible rupture and that could mean hours of waiting.  Midwives are the only ones willling to do this it seems, but even they are put in an uncomfortable situation by hospitals that have banned VBAC births.  That means midwives that take on VBAC clients must take on the extra risk of not having a hospital OR (operating room) down the hall in the event of a rupture.  Even with ACOG (American Congress of Gynecology) stating that a trial of labor is always the safest way to attempt birth. 

If you are facing your first birth... or second, etc..., it matters how that baby comes out because even if you think that may be the only baby you ever have life changes and sometimes your mind changes or and accidental pregnancy happens and you never know what that first c-section will mean for your future in birthing your babies.  The more natural you go the better and save the interventions for when they are necessary.  So, that is my view.... it matters how a baby comes out and I am proof. 

UPDATE:  In the above statement that I made about doctors having to answer to God about all the c-sections I was not referring to those doctors that are making that decision when it is necessary.  I do believe it is sometimes necessary.  I am referring to those doctors that are misleading their patients are rushing to do c-sections as a matter of convenience.  I have also become aware that some doctors actually use a method called "Pit to Distress" to cause a situation where it is necessary to c-section.  It is never my intention to offend anyone on my blog.  This is simply a place for me to release the thoughts in my head (journal) because I have absolutely no one in my life that I feel I can share all these things with now.  One day I want my children to be able to read about my thoughts in hopes that it will help them in some way.

5 comments:

  1. I have enjoyed reading your thoughts on all of this :) God's plans are waaay better than anything we could have imagined for ourselves, we just have to trust that He knows what He is doing :)

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  2. I'm so glad you've found a midwife and can go ahead with your VBA4C! I wish you a wonderful birth experience! :)

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  3. Hi Shannon, I wish you a safe delivery for your precious cargo, whatever you decide. I will keep you in my prayers.

    As a saved Christian, a daily follower of Christ, and an obstetrician who feels I have a calling to serve women and their families, I feel the need to call you on one of your statements.

    You say that doctors will "answer to God" for the cesarean sections we perform. Let me make this clear: throughout history, childbirth has always been, and continues to be, fraught with danger. One in 7 women in Afghanistan and Sub-Saharan Africa will die in childbirth (and many more babies die while the mothers survive). With NO medical intervention ever, death rates would probably be lower in developed countries because of our better health overall - but better than 1 in 7 isn't exactly reassuring. My calling is to protect women, protect their babies, and to do so by rigorously following medical evidence and keeping a heart for God.

    My sins in this world are many, no doubt, and I am so grateful for the blood of Christ so that I may answer for them without spending an eternity in hell. BUT the careful practice of medicine to keep the moms and babes on MY watch safe is not one of those sins.

    Please carefully consider your plans. I will pray for you and your baby, and a safe delivery, whatever you choose in the end.

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  4. Anonymous.... I hope you read this because I never want to offend anyone. I did update this post to clarify what I meant by that statement. The update states: "UPDATE: In the above statement that I made about doctors having to answer to God about all the c-sections I was not referring to those doctors that are making that decision when it is necessary. I do believe it is sometimes necessary. I am referring to those doctors that are misleading their patients are rushing to do c-sections as a matter of convenience. I have also become aware that some doctors actually use a method called "Pit to Distress" to cause a situation where it is necessary to c-section. It is never my intention to offend anyone on my blog. This is simply a place for me to release the thoughts in my head (journal) because I have absolutely no one in my life that I feel I can share all these things with now. One day I want my children to be able to read about my thoughts in hopes that it will help them in some way."

    I so hope you read this message. And thank you for your prayers. I am writing these posts at a very stressful time for me. What I ultimately want is the SAFEST thing for me and this baby. And I am really struggling with my limited options at this point in my pregnancy. I wish I was certain what God wants me to do. I need clarity and I believe He is telling me something, but I am just not getting complete clarity. If He gave me clarity and it was to go in and get a c-section I would do it and do it with joy.... really.

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  5. Hi Shannon :)

    I understand your dilemma, sweet sister in Christ. I have had four cesareans as well (in six years!), and even though I am not pregnant again I have gone through all of these things in my head.

    We desperately wanted to have #4 with a midwife and we prayed about it without ceasing. In the end, we never had clarity or complete peace. I did have the option of a midwife, but we went with the best decision we could make given the situation (repeat c-section). I am glad we did because our baby had to spend a bit of time in the NICU. We had never had that situation before and we are so thankful for the immediate care our baby received. I will pray that the Lord will either open or slam some doors for you :) Chin up!

    BTW, my doctor is quite comfortable with a fifth cesarean in my case. Perhaps you could go over your old post-op notes with your doctor and he could give you more stats about your particular case? THat might give you more insight rather than going strictly on generic statistics. Also, I was 35 weeks pregnant when we moved and I had to find a new care provider. I had no problem. I'm surprised they are giving you such a hard time...I have an acquaintance who is a nationally renowned midwife and I will ask her about VBA4C.

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I love comments and suggestions! I read them all and I am so thrilled you are taking the time out of your busy life to share your words with me! --Shannon

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