Birthing

Momofsix, I have to apologize for misleading you. I have never had a homebirth. I would love to, but my hubby isn't too fond of the idea and after three cesareans, there aren't many mdiwives who will take us. I think the research is clear that homebirths can be incredibly safe in most situations. Here's a link to a great documentary called "The Business of Being Born". It gives a history of birth and a lot of great experiences and statistics that show how wonderful homebirth can be. Ricki Lake produced it.

http://quicksilverscreen.com/watch?video=45525

My birthing experiences have all been very diffferent. I'll summarize below, you can read more about them in the archives.

• #1 - I was 20 years old, single and stupid. I was induced due to high blood pressure and had the complete and typical hospital experience. I was fortunate to have a ******l birth, but I still felt empty and like something was wrong.
• #2 - I was 26 and I knew that I wanted a more natural birth. I did a lot of reading and my husband and I attended childbirth classes. My water broke at 36 weeks, plus I was GBS +. I was induced when I got to the hospital, even though I didn't want to be. The nurse informed me that it wasn't optional. I still didn't know enough to realize I could refuse. I labored for 8 hours with pitocin-contractions (which hurt worse than natural) and then had an epideral. After another 4 hours, I hadn't progressed at all. My doc called for a c-section, and I didn't know enough to say no. The c-section left me angry and bitter.
• #3 - I was 28 and determined to have a VBAC (******l birth after cesarean) in a hospital. I started seeing a certified-nurse-midwife and I learned everything I thought I would need. I even made my husband read the Bradley childbirth book. I went into labor two days before my due date. I labored at home for almost 24 hours. It was wonderful. I really have great memories of my labor up to that point. I got to the hospital at 7 cms and everything went wrong. I didn't progress, I couldn't relax, I got dehydrated, they couldn't find a vein for an iv and had to use my jugular. I ended up with another c-section after I wasn't progressing. The baby ended up being 10lbs10oz and in the anterior position (which is why I slowed down.)
• #4 - I was 28 (they are 10 1/2 months apart) and still incredibly bitter and upset over my failed vbac. I was mad at my husband, at the midwife, at the nurses...everyone. I didn't have the strength to try for another vbac, even though the research on having a ******l birth after 2 cesareans is pretty good. My blood pressure shot up in the last trimester, and I didn't want to fight, so we scheduled a c-section.

A homebirth is not in my future. Unless God intervenes in a miraculous way, I will have to have any remaining children by c-section.  I know where I failed with each birth, but I can't change any of it. I am stuck with a uterus that has been cut three times and living in a community that doesn't think highly of VBACS. But, I know the truth about birth. I know more than so many women who are being fooled by the doctors and pushed into ridiculous interventions that aren't necessary.

My favorite birth resources:

www.birthingnaturally.net - Christian natural birth site

www.plus-size-pregnancy.org - good info even for people of normal size

The Lord of Birth by Jennifer Vanderlaan

40 Weeks by Jennifer Vanderlaan

Christ Centered Childbrith by Kelly Townsend

2:22 PM - Jul. 2, 2008 - post comment

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Thanks for the links!!! I had really unfun birth experiences with both of my two kiddos so I hope to change things in the future (fingers crossed that there will be more kiddos in that future...). Homebirth sounds so wonderful but I'm' high risk so I don't think anyone would take me as a patient! Sigh! It's so frustating how uneducated new moms are about the birth process. I wish I could go back and do things differently-knowing what I know now.

lexi - 3:04 PM - Jul. 2, 2008

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Thanks for sharing your stories. I have had four c/s and yes, I will be having c/s for any future babies (I hope there are MANY more babies).

I can look back at all my births and see where I might have done things differently (well, except for this last baby, as by then, I was pretty much going to have a scheduled c/s no matter what I did) ~ I refuse to get all upset and sad about it. I have four beautiful babies - PTL!

Yet I would still encourage any new mommas to research, research, research and learn all they can about childbirth. The more informed you are, the better your birth is going to go - even if you do end up with a c/s (and that's okay too).

God bless girl~
Lori

Anonymous - 3:28 PM - Jul. 2, 2008

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Oops, that was me ~ Lori @ Michigan Momma

www.michiganmomma.blogspot.com

Anonymous - 3:29 PM - Jul. 2, 2008

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Hi there, I have just 'stumbled' upon your blog and have been reading your posts about childbirth. I felt the need to comment.
I'm sorry you've had such a rough time of it, but I have had very good hospital experiences with my babies.

I am blessed to live close to a hospital(in Canada) with an excellent maternity ward. All of the things which can happen at a homebirth, can happen in this ward. They give you, the mom, the control in decisions and encourage the birth to be as 'natural' as possible(without drugs and intervention unless medically necessary). The baby rooms in with you and is not put in the nursery unless it needs medical attention.

I also have a wonderful Christian doctor, who has given me excellent care before, during and after my births.

Having said all that, I guess my point is that not all hospitals are bad places to have babies. Maybe this maternity ward is rare(even here in Canada), but maybe there are others like it.

I hope I haven't offended you by sharing my experience. I have enjoyed 'meeting' you through your blog!
Blessings!

Sandpiper - 8:29 PM - Jul. 2, 2008

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Hi

Thanks for sharing your story. I have also had three forced csections. I am getting ready to find a doctor to help me at least have a vback, or if I can sneak in a Ooops, baby came too fast at home. I am concerned that my doctor did something on the last csection because I have had one miscarriage at only a month and a half, and I can't seem to get pregnant, within the last three years, even with careful manipulation of my cycle (and I speak as one that got pregnant with the ease). My doctor was very angry that I wouldn't give him permission to tie my tubes, while I was on the table..I hope my children never have to be bullied like I have been-ugh. Thanks for sharing. I guess neither of us are alone in the frustration of the medical communities behavior. I know God is still God and he can turn it all around for us. God bless you for sharing from your heart.

Edited by momofsix on Jul. 3, 2008 at 10:52 AM

momofsix - 11:51 AM - Jul. 3, 2008

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I'm curious why you don't write out the word "******l". It's not a dirty word. All women have got a ******, why make it seem shameful ro wrong?

Anonymous - 1:28 PM - Jul. 8, 2008

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Hey Momma,

Don't think you failed yourself because you couldn't/can't do a VBAC! You are an awesome mom and how they got here is NOT the point! :) Love you girl! Heather :)

Anonymous - 11:24 PM - Jul. 9, 2008

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