It seems that everyone around me has negative memories surrounding their labours:
Horror stories of four days of active labour, unsympathetic staff, bodies that don't co-operate or babies that get stuck. It sure puts a girl off of the traditional idea of childbirth.
Intellectually, I know there are plenty of good medical reasons to try for a vaginal birth over an elective caesarean. I tried to 'research' and find some facts from reputable sources, but didn't have much luck, so I'll quote a few statements from www.childbirth.org. A small disclaimer: I know nothing about this organization, and they don't have an "About Us" to tell me who funds them, or what their true agenda is.
Nonetheless, www.childbirth.org states:
- cesarean section poses documented medical risks to the mother's health, including infections, hemorrhage, transfusion, injury to other organs, anesthesia complications, psychological complications, and a maternal mortality two to four times greater than that for a vaginal birth.
- An elective cesarean section increases the risk to the infant of premature birth and respiratory distress syndrome, both of which are associated with multiple complications, intensive care and burdensome financial costs. Even mature babies, the absences of labor increases the risk of breathing problems and other complications.
- Cesareans can delay the opportunity for early mother-newborn interaction, breastfeeding and the establishment of family bonds.
All this comes up because I have a friend who has been in labour since Sunday (today is Wednesday!). Her twin sister gave birth last year through a C-Section after enduring painful contractions for over 24 hours and not dilating. She had a midwife who could be her advocate and say 'Enough is Enough'. My current friend does not, and has encountered staff that would rather gossip and ignore her than provide any kind of support. She is not dilating, nothing is happening, she is delirious with exhaustion and has been asking for an epidural since Monday. They won't even admit her.
I'd love to hear a few good delivery experiences: Stories filled with helpful doctors and support staff, quick and painless deliveries, or long deliveries, but ones that weren't overly traumatic to both the Mother and Baby.
Please contact me through the contact button or through Ravelry (username: melissabear). If you're will to share with me, I'd love it. If you're willing to share with everyone, that would be great too. We've been watching X-Files lately and I can't help but think that 'I want to Believe' there are good experiences out there. I just haven't heard of any yet!
