Woof, I’m a little late to the party coming in at the end of April to talk about Cesarean birth. This topic is near and dear to my heart, and honestly it has taken me some time to collect my thoughts on the subject.
My ASSOCIATION WITH C-SECTIONS
ME! I am a C-section baby! At 37 weeks my mom was told that I was so bundled up as a frank-breech (think “pike” position – feet up by face, completely folded) that her provider was worried about my abdomen and digestive system becoming compressed. My mom was admitted for a scheduled C-section later that week.
MASSAGE SCHOOL: Years ago, while in massage school we had a guest teacher come in to teach us about scar tissue and how to manually work with the possible complications due to various types of scarring. I don’t want to misspeak, but as my memory serves me there was a conversation happening while the guest teacher worked on a classmate’s double C-section scar (two separate belly births) that was very harming to several students in the room, myself included. The conversation suggested that babies born surgically were not as well bonded with their mothers compared to babies born vaginally. Allegedly due to the missed “intimate experience” of descending through the birth canal and the natural hormones created and shared between birther and baby in the process of a pelvic birth. *Please don’t take this to heart. It was also suggested C-section babies had weaker lungs and respiratory systems than their counterparts because they didn’t descend through the birth canal or might not have experienced contractions. *This does actually hold a bit of weight in that some research has found it to be true -It’s believed that the squeezing descent through the birth canal helps remove amniotic fluid from baby’s lungs, preparing them for breath in the outside world. BTW, C-section babies are carefully evaluated and interventions are made to manually clear their respiratory systems. We also have to consider the likelihood of a C-section preformed earlier in gestation, before the lungs are fully developed which would/could lead to respiratory issues.
At the time this conversation created a lot of shame in my own birth and made me pretty paranoid for a while after – Would I have a different bond with my mom if I were born differently?? And every time I got a cold Ugh my weak respiratory system!
BIRTHWORK: Now, a year or so into my various formal birthwork trainings, I still feel like my shame and wariness is justified by various professionals and curriculum who suggest C-sections are a “failed” and undesirable option. I’ve had to do some significant digging to find my peeps who believe BIRTH IS BIRTH!!! Ya’ll, the C-section rate is scary high around the world and it absolutely causes a variety of traumas whether planned or emergent (listed resources below cover this) but it is also a life saving procedure for the birther and or baby. Let’s remember that. Why are we adding shame and judgement into an already stressful situation? How can we support our friend, family, client, fellow birthers? Well, first let’s educate ourselves on birth procedures, block that Negative Nancy on Facebook who’s opinion really freaking doesn’t matter, and create a space for all birth to feel valid, important, and special. That’s my objective in this field of work.
TERMINOLOGY + RESOURCES
As you may have noticed I referred to a C-section by several different names in the paragraphs above. This terminology is important to me, and you may realize it is to you as well, or someone in your life. Consider the following:
- C-birth
- Cesarean birth
- Belly birth
- Surgical birth
- Surgical delivery
- Abdominal delivery
KNOWING YOUR OPTIONS: Factors to discuss when considering birthing options – have you chosen a desired birth place and/or provider? Research or ask them what their C-section rate is, and their personal opinion on the matter. This is a first step to determining if this will be a good fit, or at least prepare you for what to expect. If your personal risks or delivery facility suggest that you have a high likelihood of a C-section, consider if a “gentle” or “family centered” C-section is something you’d like and that your provider will honor. This type of birth might look like:
- Use of a clear drape or “dropping” the drape when baby(ies) is/has emerged so birther and any support person can see them right away
- Passing baby(ies) to birther to bond while the surgery progresses
- “Hands free” so that the birther is not restrained
- Requests such as limited talking, no gender announcement, support person(s) in the room, and other personal requests
Parents.com gives a decent explanation https://www.parents.com/pregnancy/giving-birth/cesarean/an-all-natural-c-section/
Of course, there are emergency situations and/or hospital policies (especially during COVID) where these requests unfortunately cannot be accepted, but having this knowledge might give some peace of mind and help with preparing a Birth Preference/Plan(s)!
CONSULT WITH OTHER PROFESSIONALS: This is a great time to get a doula involved as they should have a variety of resources and coping tools, regardless of what your birth will look like (noting to look for a doula who has experience with C-sections, and or at least an unbiased opinion). Childbirth Education courses are also an excellent option and can often provide more opportunity for reflection and connection than books or blogs. If the thought of a C-section causes a lot of anxiety consider talking with a Therapist or finding a support group in your area.
RESOURCES: Thankfully, C-section acceptance and awareness is becoming more popular, so instead of summarizing what a lot of great research and perinatal wizards are already saying, here are some of my favorite resources:
International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN) https://www.ican-online.org/ Mission Statement: The International Cesarean Awareness Network is a non-profit organization whose mission is to improve maternal-child health by reducing preventable cesareans through education, supporting cesarean recovery, and advocating for vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC).
Understanding Cesarean Rates https://www.cesareanrates.org/ Providing recent statistics and research around Cesareans with the aim at reducing the rate of “medically unnecessary” surgical births, especially for low-risk first time births.
Mommy Labor Nurse https://mommylabornurse.com/ Courses, blogs, podcasts, Instagram posts to educate and inform pre and post birth with C-section specific options.
Mamaste Fit https://www.mamastefit.com/blog/Csection-Scar-mobilization Check out their instagram for easy scar mobilization/massage videos and tips.
CONCLUDING NOTE
My goal is to educate (myself and my clients) on various types of birthing options, remembering that at face value, one is not better than another. A C-section is not a failure. The more information we have on various choices, the more confident we can feel! Our situations are all incredibly unique and need to be taken into account during this hugely significant time of life. Please reach out if you have any questions or are looking for more resources!
BIRTH IS BIRTH.