Wednesday, February 03, 2010

Where I Stand: Live C-Section on the Today Show

 A live C-section was performed on the Today show yesterday...did you know that?

I didn't at first...but then I saw a bunch of tweets bashing Today, the birth mother, etc. because through the broadcast they were somehow "promoting c-sections". As if a C-section were some dirty thing.

I'm sorry, but the whole thing about Mom's tearing each other apart over which is the "correct way" to have a baby and judging each other for it is just really lost on me.

Each woman and each birth is different. 
They have different sets of circumstances surrounding them.

Judgement on the part of others is something that, in my opinion, should never enter the equation.

If a woman wants to have an unmedicated homebirth, fine.

If a woman chooses to have a scheduled C-Section because her baby is to term and 10 lbs. (the case on the Today show birth), fine.

I don't get the big deal folks.

We live in a country where we are blessed with the right to choose how and where we have our babies. 

Where we have technology to sustain life in the tiniest preemies.
Things are good here on the birth front. 
We are so lucky. At least we have options.

I understand that people out there have varying opinions of medicine and doctors...and that's ok....but I don't think cruelty towards other mothers should be acceptable.

It's just downright wrong.

And in case you're wondering, here are my opinions on birthing.

I think a woman should be allowed to birth in a way that is the most comfortable for her, while still being safe for her baby. I think the baby's safety is just as important as the mother's. I'm ok with epidurals, hospital births, and even scheduled C-Sections. I'm also ok with home birth, water birth, non-medicated birth, and the like.

The only thing that I do not believe in on the C-Section front is this. I once read an article about stars scheduling C-Sections at 33-36 weeks gestation so that they wouldn't get any larger, or get stretch marks..etc. I think THAT is VERY wrong. Because those C-Sections are putting the babies life at risk since the child is not to term. Those women are having their C-Sections for purely selfish, cosmetic reasons and risking their child's life in the process.

My own son was born at 35 weeks because my water broke prematurely...and I can tell you that I would not wish a premature baby or a NICU stay on anyone.

I had a vaginal hospital birth with an epidural. Other than Jackson being early (he was taken to the NICU immediately due to respiratory distress issues) it was uneventful. I cannot complain one bit. And, I am utterly grateful that I was in a hospital with a world class NICU, because they saved his life!

I'm also willing to bet that the woman who had her little boy on TV yesterday morning is pretty happy right now too. 

Babies are a miracle. 

Let's not forget that.

Posted by Haley
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5 comments:

  1. Amazing article Haley! I have had 2 C-sections. First was emergency cause daughter was breech. The second I tried for an unmedicated natural birth, but my water broke and after 36 hours I wasn't dialating so I asked for the C-Section. I couldn't physically go on any longer, and I don't believe laboring much past 36 hours with broke water is all that safe either.

    I wanted more than anything to have a natural birth and I wouldn't wish the pain and agony of a C-Section on anyone. I DO wish that major news places like Today show would inform ppl how the healing time for a C/S is awful compared to a natural birth so ppl don't go wanting that....but I am all for a woman chosing - if she is educated. Education is key. Whatever a mom decided as well as she thought about it is the right decision.
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  2. Amen & VERY well said! I couldn't agree more!
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  3. As you know I've had my babies both ways and neither was a "walk in the park" for me. I think we all just need to get along already! (us Moms, that is...)
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  4. OK, maybe I'm going to be the unpopular kid on the block here, but I'll comment anyway because it's a really interesting discussion.
    Before I take the road less traveled, though, I do want to say that I don't think bashing any mother or judging anyone is up for debate. I think it's mean to bash someone because she thinks differently.
    OK, so that said, I have an issue with planned C-sections because research has shown that C-sections can hamper breastfeeding (LaLeche League International). And, admittedly, I really think women and babies should be set up to have the most success possible when it comes to breastfeeding because of all the health and bonding benefits associated with breastfeeding. So if a woman chooses to have a C section for conevenience for her or the doctor, I'm not saying she is wrong or bad or anything, I just don't think she's setting herself and her baby up for the best chance to get off to a healthy breastfeeding start. Not saying it's impossible to have a section and success in breastfeeding, just saying that research has found it's more difficult and even less likely that breastfeeding with happen. And ultimately, my two main goals for labor and delivery were to deliver healthy babies who were ready to breastfeed.
    Hope we can still be friends. :)
    Oh, and I'd be really thankful for a C section in a medical emergency, because I'd rather have a live, healthy baby and long recovery than the alternative.
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  5. I do agree with Hyacynth. C-sections are not the optimal way to have a baby. Are they necessary and lifesaving and amazing for many women? YES, but they are not without risk for mother and baby, in terms of nursing, respiratory distress at birth, PPD, and so on. With all of that in mind, I personally do not agree with c-sections that are chosen for no medical purpose, so I guess I'll go join Hyacynth at the unpopular table.;)
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Thanks for sharing! I'm so glad you took the time to stop by today and leave your thoughts. I try to respond to everyone personally, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Haley

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