Cesarean, or “C-Sections” have become all the rage these days. What a convenience to doctor and parent alike – you stroll in on a pre-planned date, lay down in a surgical room, and voila! Your beautiful baby is handed to you in no time.
I guess I can’t blame a lot of moms for being tempted by a cesarean section, especially when it is made on the advice of a trained professional. Vaginal births we see on television and in movies do not exactly paint a pretty picture. But many women are not aware of how much more dangerous a c-section actually is in comparison to the good ol’ fashion vaginal delivery. Apart from mothers having an adverse reaction to medications used during the surgery and unexpected blood loss, these are some common issues that arise due to a c-section:
- Newborn Dyspnea (difficulty breathing due to the amniotic fluids not being expelled during a vaginal birth)
- Hysterorrhexis and Metrorrhexis
- Subsequent pregnancies likely occur where the incision is made, increasing the threat of placenta previa
This is not to say that C-sections are completely unjustified; of course there are situations where they are necessary to save either or both the life of the mother and the child. There are things you can do beforehand, however, to avoid a C-section:
- Interview and choose a care provider who has similar goals as you
- If you find a doctor or midwife who is keen on the idea of a c-section, then that is most likely what you will get. Ask them about what point in time they would recommend a c-section and what you can do prior to avoid it.
- Get support
- Many parents enlist in the help of a “doula” to assist in the birthing process as they provide the much needed support a woman in labor needs. You will also want to be sure that you have a person there who supports your vision of having a vaginal birth, as they will be able to defend your wishes while you are distracted with the “task” of birthing.
- Become familiar with labor and the birthing process
- Once you know what to expect, you will feel far more relaxed. When you are relaxed, your body is relaxed, which makes the birth process so much easier!
- Avoid inducing labor chemically at all costs
- For whatever reason you may be recommended to induce, do what ever you can to avoid using pitocin or other medical remedies. Here are some effective and natural methods; they may or may not be appropriate for you - please consult your doctor before trying any of these:
- Acupuncture/acupressure (this worked like a charm for me!)
- Sex
- Spicy foods
- Nipple stimulation
- Herbal remedies (consult your physician first)
- Castor Oil (use with caution!)
My last piece of advice is that an expectant mother should prepare for a vaginal birth as soon as she knows she is pregnant. Eating properly ensures the health of both mother and baby, thus reducing the chance for an emergency health situation. Having regular prenatal check ups is an absolute must. Mothers should also consider taking on light exercises, especially yoga, walking and swimming, which helps considerably in ensuring that your baby is in the proper birth position (head down).
Birth is made out to be a scary process in our society; but it doesn’t have to be. Bear in mind that most cultures across the globe celebrate labor and accept it as a natural and normal thing – no matter if the process takes 5 minutes, 5 hours or even 5 days. Relax, center yourself, and listen to your body. When it comes to labor, your body knows best.
