Adventures In Childbirth Inspire My New Birth Plan

This is not your run-of-the-mill birth plan. It was inspired from a repetition of events in my life, namely the births of my children. Here is a summary of those events:

Birth One was a relatively uneventful first labor lasting only six hours and requiring only about six pushes. It would have been perfect if only the doctor had not had the time to do the episiotomy.

Birth Two was an induced labor that took only three hours from first contraction to last. The last five minutes the nurses were shouting ‘don’t push, don’t push ‘as they were wheeling me down the hall to the delivery room. The doctor gloved his hands without washing them first. Baby delivered in one push.

Birth Three was another induced labor where I was a bit slow getting moved to the delivery room because the nurse did not believe me when I told her I was feeling inclined to push during contractions. I overheard one nurse say to another, ‘tell the doctor not to scrub,’ but it was too late. A nurse caught the baby.

Birth Four I had my baby in my first LDR (labor-delivery-recovery) room so there was no moving before the big show. The doctor was slipping on his gown and turned around just in time to catch the baby in his sleeve, since he had neither washed nor gloved. It is a wonder I never got an infection.

On Birth Five either I was lucky or I finally got a doctor that listened to me. He sat on the edge of my bed for the last forty-five minutes of my labor watching a championship football game on TV with my husband. Fortuitously, the baby arrived ten minutes after the game ended. Vikings 28, Bears 27.

Birth Six was fourteen years after the Birth Five so it was supposed to be like having a first baby again. I hear the midwife bantering with the nurse about needing change for the drink machine. Although I am preoccupied I manage to say I have a whole roll of quarters in my bag. I am thinking, ‘Just get your can of soda quick and get back here in time!’ She cuts it close, but she does get back in time. Baby delivered in two pushes.

Birth Seven is another induced labor and this time I try to prepare the midwife with a written birth plan. The major gist of my birth plan is ‘midwife to be present for the birth.’ The attending nurse makes a poor judgment call, and no one is aware they need to catch my baby’s head while he is being born under the sheet. I wish I could have seen her face when she pulled the sheet down, but I was trying to catch my first glimpse of my baby.

It is time for a new birth plan. I need to take a page from births Five and Six and provide incentives for people to be there. Here is my new birth plan: ‘Patient will play midwife’s favorite movie in the VCR and provide unlimited quantities of popcorn, soda and candy.’
Then again, maybe I should hold a raffle for all the doctors and midwives in the hospital. ‘The winning number will be drawn when the cord is cut.’

By: Matia Bryson

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Matia Bryson writes for her website "Baby Loves Your Milk," independent breast pump comparison information that covers all major brands and types. She also maintains an RSS news feed: Breastfeeding Daily Tip and News.

Kegel Exercises And You

Kegel exercises are unheard of by many women and yet they may benefit women’s health in a variety of ways. What are they? Kegel exercises are designed to strengthen all the muscles that support your urethra, bladder, uterus and rectum.

In the 1940′s, Dr. Arnold Kegel, a gynecologist, recommended these exercises for his patients to avoid stress incontinence after childbirth. Thus, the name, Kegel exercises persists today.

It is not just after childbirth, but lifelong, that women often have problems with stress incontinence.

There are other reasons for doing Kegel exercises as they increase circulation to your vaginal and rectal areas. For women who are pregnant, Kegel exercises can speed healing from an episiotomy done during childbirth. Also, Kegel exercises can reduce the chance of developing hemorrhoids from childbirth.

A Kegel exercise consists of a squeezing and lifting action of your vaginal wall muscles. While doing a Kegel exercise, do not tighten your tummy, buttocks or leg muscles. Hold the Kegel exercise for about 10 seconds then relax for a few seconds.

Kegel exercises should be done in sets of ten, three or four times during the day. When you first start, just do a few at a time, several times a day, then work your way up to sets of ten.

Kegel exercises will assist a pregnant woman to have an easier delivery as the pelvic floor muscles will be more toned. The likelihood of tearing during delivery will be reduced.

While sitting on the toilet, try to stop the flow of your urine in midstream. This is a variation of the Kegel exercise that is very powerful, and can really be a convenient way to do the exercise, completely privately. If you can do this, these muscles are in good condition. If not, try doing Kegel exercises, and you will see a difference.

Here’s another way to think of and visualize the Kegel exercise, envision it as "winking" your vagina, if you will"winking" your vagina. Positioning in various ways while doing Kegel exercises can further tone your pelvic floor. Try doing Kegel exercises while lying down, sitting up, squatting and on all fours.

Kegel exercises can help women at other times in life than just while they are pregnant. They can make sex with your partner more enjoyable at any time, not just during the postpartum phase.

Kegel exercises can help women of all ages reduce the risk of prolapsed uterus, stress incontinence, overactive bladder and unsatisfactory orgasm. If you perform these simple, discreet exercises, you, like other women who do kegel exercises regularly, may come to report better and stronger orgasms as well and be one of the "lucky ones" who can more easily achieve orgasm, a somewhat elusive creature for some women.

Later in life, after menopause, Kegel exercises done as a routine from midlife on, can increase vaginal wall thickness and lubrication. Think the urinary benefit is good enough alone to start Kegels? Well, Kegels also are known to help prevent rectal incontinence, which can be an even worse and more embarrassing problem than urinary incontinence.

It will usually take about 3 or 4 weeks to see an improvement in stress incontinence from a routine of Kegel exercises.

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Danna Schneider is the founder of

Aromatherapy In Labor And Delivery

The time has come. After nine months of anticipation you are standing at the door, suitcase at the ready, stopwatch in hand. You’ve timed the contractions at every two to five minutes on the dot, and as the drama of birth opens its curtains before your very eyes, you wonder if all your preparations will have been enough.

Childbirth is definitely one of, if not the most difficult labors a woman faces in her lifetime. Today, much is written about gentle, natural birthing options, which are healthier for mother and child. By providing a proper state of mind and natural analgesic, aromatherapy can be used to create a memorable, magical birthing atmosphere. This article will explain some of the best ways to prepare for childbirth using essential oils.

One of women’s greatest fears when approaching childbirth is that of damaging the delicate perineal tissue. Doctors and midwives ask whether you would prefer to have an episiotomy or risk a tear. Why not prepare the perineum beforehand with soothing massage? Studies have shown that women who perform daily perineal massages in preparation for childbirth are 30% more likely to deliver over an intact perineum. Besides making the tissue soft and supple, the massage can mentally prepare the woman to relax these muscles and open outward in response to pressure, a skill that will no doubt come in handy when the baby is making his way into the world.

Ideally, you should begin daily 5-10 minute massages at six to eight weeks prior to term. First, empty your bladder. Soaking for 5-15 minutes in warm water and lavender oil can relax the vaginal wall, making the perineal massage more comfortable. If you are doing the massage yourself, place one foot on the seat of a chair or the side of the bathtub; otherwise, a partner can perform the massage while you sit back comfortably with your back resting against pillows.

Mix 1 ounce wheat germ oil with 3 drops lavender and 1 drop geranium. (Sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, and cold-pressed olive oil are good substitutes for wheat germ oil. You can also use a blend of the oils.) After dipping into the massage oil, insert your thumb or middle fingers into the vagina just enough to stretch the perineal tissue, approximately two to three inches. Press the vaginal wall back toward the rectum, massaging in a U-shaped motion. Gently stretch the vagina open for 20-60 seconds, or until you feel a tingling or slight burning sensation. Stretch both the inner portions as well as the outer rim of the perineum. Make sure to wash hands thoroughly before and after perineal massage, and discard any unused oil.

Wherever you are planning to give birth, aromatherapy can be utilized. For use during labor and delivery, add to your suitcase your favorite essential oils and oil blends, an aromatic diffuser (electric models are the best for use in birthing centers and hospitals), flannels and bowls for compresses, and a plastic tub for sitz baths. Make sure to practice with your partner so that he or she is ready to serve you in your hour of need. Discussing your wishes with your health care provider is also a good idea, so that you don’t end up in a battle of wills just at the time you planned to create your ideal birth environment.

The following essential oils are ideal for labor and delivery. Due to the heightened sensitivity to smell during labor, it is best to use only a couple oils at a time.

Neroli, bergamot, rose, or frankincense help relieve fear and anxiety, and promote relaxation between contractions. These are good oils to use in your diffuser.

Lavender is good for aches, and helps in balancing and calming the laboring woman. After your cervix has dilated to at least 2 cm, you may consider taking a 30 minute lavender bath. Studies show that this can improve progress in labor and significantly reduces the need for drugs.

Between contractions, a foot or lower back massage can soothe and stimulate pain relief. Add 20 drops lavender and 8 drops clary sage in 4 ounces of olive oil.

Jasmine, lavender, or clary sage compresses can stimulate or strengthen contractions, and cool compresses to the forehead keep you feeling refreshed. To prepare a compress simply add 3-4 drops essential oil to a bowl of warm or cool water. Drape a flannel over the surface of the water to absorb the film of the oil. Ring out cloth and apply to area.

1 drop peppermint oil offered on a handkerchief can ward off nausea, or can be used as a pick-me-up during the transitional phase, when fatigue may settle in.

If tension is preventing you from opening the cervix during contractions, an abdominal massage or a compress of 8 drops Spikenard, 7 drops Jasmine, and 3 drops lemon verbena in 4 ounces olive oil can help. Evening primrose oil massaged directly on the cervix can also assist in relaxing the tissues.

Whatever turn your birthing takes, allow the effects of aromatherapy to penetrate your mind and relax your body.

By: Francesca Black

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Francesca Black works in marketing at Organic Items www.organic-items.com and Aromatherapy Blends www.aromatherapy-blends.net leading portals for organic products and essential oils.

5 Reasons Why You Need A Doula

A doula is a labor support professional who can assist you when going through childbirth. Traditionally, women were always attended by other experienced women to help them get through this difficult life transition. In the modern day hospital setting, women are generally unattended until it is time to actually deliver. This means a first time mom could spend 16-18 hours feeling completely alone. The nurses will hook you to the monitor, and check on you about once an hour.

A doula is a professional, trained to handle the non-clinical aspects of labor. She is familiar with the process of childbirth and how to guide you through the progression of labor with effectiveness. This is the only experienced professional who stays with the mother from the time her labor is active, until after the baby is born.

Here are 5 reasons a mom will want a doula by her side:

1.The mother will have professional help in developing a birth plan, as a doula assists the new parents in understanding all the available options

2.The mother will have an experienced professional by her side continuously during labor

3.The mother will be physically comforted by the doulas comfort measures, including warm compresses, massage, relaxation and breathing techniques

4.The partner will have support and guidance in how to help the mother during labor

5.The couple will have a beautiful account of what happened during labor, as a doula will keep a record and many mothers lose focus of the time

These are just a few things that a doula can do for you! Here is what Jacksonville moms are saying about having a doula for their birth:

‘She [our doula] provided us with important prenatal information and
practice relaxation techniques that assisted my husband and me to feel prepared for the birth.’

‘The positive outcome of our labor was directly impacted by our doula’s birthing expertise and her ability to assist me in managing my labor. We would not have been able to have a natural, non-medicated delivery without our doula!’

‘This was the best money we spent when preparing for our new baby!’

"Thank God for my Doula. I could never have done a natural birth without her guidance and coaching. She was totally amazing and I will definitely be seeing her again when it is time for baby number two."

Educate yourself and hire and doula to help you have a shorter, easier birth and a wonderful birth experience.

By: Sita Payne Romero

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Sita Payne Romero, LMT, CD Sita specializes in preparing expectant mothers to have a comfortable pregnancy, and achieve their ideal birth experience. She is a certified doula, a licensed and certified pregnancy massage therapist and a prenatal yoga teacher. She owns a private practice in Jacksonville, FL. For more information, and helpful articles please visit www.lotusinbloom.net

The Truth about Childbirth and Labor
 by: Suzanne Doyle-Ingram

Labor and childbirth was an amazing, positive experience for me, both times. I am very fortunate, I know. But I do believe that if you prepare yourself through education (reading books, reading websites like this one, taking prenatal classes, etc) and taking good care of yourself while you are pregnant, you will have a far greater chance of a pleasant birth experience.

There are many things you can do to increase your chances of an empowering childbirth experience. These are the things I did:

Pregnancy yoga classes

Regular Chiropractic care

Chose a Midwife instead of a doctor

Hired a doula to be with me through the labor and birth

Took high quality vitamins, folic acid and natural iron supplements (made by Flora, derived from natural sources, not metal)

Took a 18 hour prenatal class from a former midwife (NOT at a hospital)

Lastly, I believed, truly believed that my body knew what it was doing. I was not scared at all. I knew in my heart of hearts that pregnancy is a healthy state of being, and that my body would know exactly what to do when the time came. And it did!

So many people seem to enjoy telling stories of excruciating pain during childbirth. Others will tell you their labor was 87 hours long! I do not know why women do this to each other. Yes, I will grant you, labor is painful. But it is also powerful and incredible what your body can achieve!

One important note: I am Canadian, and our medical system is much different than the United States. But I am aware that most visitors to my website are American, so that is why I often try to include American statistics and information. One major difference between our two countries is that midwives in most parts of Canada have hospital privileges, i.e. they are allowed to deliver babies in hospitals. They perform essentially the same procedures as doctors, except they do not perform surgery. Whereas doctors view childbirth in terms of what can go wrong, midwives see childbirth as a natural process and medical intervention is only necessary in the event of an emergency.

I had many questions before I gave birth the first time, and the following onformation is what I leaned about labor and child birth. I am not a doctor, and I have no medical training whatsoever, so please ask your own doctor for clarification or more information.

Am I going to be pregnant forever?

In terms of when the average woman gives birth, a woman’s due date is determined to be 40 weeks after her last menstrual period, which is about 280 days. Most women deliver very near their due date, but anywhere from 38 weeks to 42 weeks is normal. You know you are in labor when you have strong (generally more painful than period cramps) contractions, five minutes apart, which last for a full minute. The first stage of labor is the longest and that is when your cervix dilates from 0 to 10 centimetres and becomes thinned out (or “effaced”). The second stage of labor is the pushing stage, which begins after you are fully dilated. The third stage of labor is after your baby is born and you deliver the placenta.

I was worried that my water would break in the supermarket and I would be mortified. However, the bag of water, (the membrane that surrounds the fetus and protects it during your whole pregnancy), contains amniotic fluid and it only breaks at the beginning of labor (mine did) 10% of the time. It does not hurt. You may not even know it has happened, but you may feel warm water on your legs. You feel a tiny “Pop!” and then a little fluid trickles out. It’s not a huge gush – I think this is because the baby’s head is acting like a cork. Most commonly, about 90% of the time, your water breaks when your cervix is fully dilated. Sometimes your midwife or doctor may break it. When that happens, prostaglandins are released, and contractions become stronger and more regular, and the progress of labor speeds up.

Many women also wonder when they should go to the hospital. Your doctor or midwife will educate you about what they want you to do. Some may want you to phone the hospital as soon as anything happens. A midwife usually comes to your house, so you don’t have to plan so much as you would with a doctor. When you get to the hospital, you will need to register at the Maternity Department. Usually you can do this a few months prior – call the hospital where you will deliver and find out. Depending, again, on whether you have a doctor or midwife, a lot of different scenarios can take place. Also what kind of doctor you have: is he or she someone who believes that your body knows what to do? Or will he or she insist that you are given an IV and hooked up to a monitor constantly? You do NOT have to labor this way, but you need to decide before you choose a doctor what is important to you and how you want your experience to be. (A birth plan would be a good option. If you present your birth plan to your doctor and he or she laughs at you – reconsider using that doctor!)

How long does it take?

Every labor is so different, but generally speaking, first labors take about 12 to 24 hours. My first labor was about 10 hours but my midwife said that I was only in “active” labor for 5 hours, which I disagree with because the first 7 hours were not spent sitting around comfortably!

What about the pain? Is it really that bad?

I am not going to lie about it, it is painful, but your body is an amazing machine. I did not take anything for the pain during my labors, but I was very fortunate to have a wonderful doula and husband who supported me throughout. Studies have shown that continuous support during labor decreases the need for pain relief by 60%. See my article entitled “What would I do without my Doula?” here http://www.pregnancy-leads-to-new-babies.com/doula.html.

What’s wrong with having an epidural? Why go through the pain if you don’t have to?

This is simply my opinion – I am not a doctor, but I have done the research. For me, I was not trying to be a martyr. I just wanted my baby to have the very best chance of being healthy. Generally, it is true to say that epidurals are a safe and effective method of relieving pain in labor, but safe does not mean risk free. There are risks; I would be lying to say there are none. See Thorp, J.A. & Breedlove, G (1996) Epidural Analgesia in Labour: An evaluation of Risks and Benefits 23(2) 63-83.

In terms of risks for your baby, epidurals can cause maternal fever and this can potentially harm your baby. Newborns sometimes also exhibit poor nursing behavior for up to one month. Many newborns exposed to epidural anaesthesia in labor are very sleepy and they would rather sleep than nurse, which can be problematic because the more you nurse at the beginning, the faster your milk will come in and the better your experience will be. It’s shocking to me that most women take such exceptional care of their babies while they are pregnant, i.e. no alcohol, no Tylenol, etc., but they willingly expose their babies to drugs during childbirth without fully educating themselves of the risks.

Here’s something you want not want to know: Hospital-employed childbirth educators WANT you to have an epidural. Hospitals make a lot of money from epidurals. The nurse often comes into your room and says, ‘Are you ready for your epidural now?’ In the U.S.A, an epidural costs from $500 to $2500, depending on the hospital. The United States spends more money on birth ($50 Billion a year!) than any other nation in the world, without necessarily getting the best results. The average hospital birth costs $8,000 – $10,000 and that doubles for caesareans, providing very nice profits for obstetricians, anaesthesiologists and drug companies. Hospital policies are routinely set based on financial goals. This is a fact, and if you don’t believe it, you are being duped.

Just hear me out on this one: It makes sense, doesn’t it? Since midwifery care and doula care reduces the rates of intervention, they also reduce the profit for doctors and hospitals. Of course, they will try to convince you that midwives are dangerous. They want your money!!! That is why, in Canada, where we have arguably the best government-run medical insurance system in the world, governments realised that by allowing midwives to deliver in hospitlas, they are saving millions of dollars.

Back to epidurals (which I am not completely against, by the way! I do believe they are warranted in some cases)If you have an epidural, you must also have a urinary catheter inserted to empty your bladder. Epidurals can cause your blood pressure to decrease, so a nurse will check your blood pressure very often. The nurse or doctor will also periodically rub your abdomen to make sure there is enough paralysis but not so much that your breathing becomes impaired.

There is also a domino effect that plays into it as well – once you have one intervention, you are more at risk for more and more. For example, a woman who has an epidural is FOUR times as likely to have to have a caesarean section. Sometimes it relaxes the pelvis so much that you cannot push out your baby, so the use of Vacuum and forceps are significantly increased. This means you also have to have an episiotomy (where they cut your skin from your vagina to your rectum) in order to get the forceps into your vagina. Sometimes there are complications from episiotomies, as you can well imagine, such as bowel incontinence and urinary incontinence. Note: According to Childbirth practices researcher Katherine Hartmann, MD, PhD, close to 1 million unnecessary episiotomies are performed in the U.S. each year. She says episiotomies are probably medically warranted in fewer than 10% of cases. Currently 1 in 3 American women get episiotomies. Hartmann is director of the Center for Women’s Health Research at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.

The biggest risk of epidural is death – if the anaesthesiologist injects the wrong dose, or makes a mistake, you’re in trouble. You can also be paralysed (in very rare cases, permanently) due to nerve damage. Let me repeat, MOST epidurals are safe, but these are some of the risks you need to be aware of. The evidence of epidural risks is well documented, but it is not readily available.

Don’t you think it is easier for the doctor to be able to “control” their patient if they are lying still and quiet in the bed, paralysed and unable to move around? Ask your doctor what percentage of their patients receive an epidural. Can you go one step further and ask them how much money they make if they give an epidural? Or of it makes their job easier if their patient has an epidural? I think that would be very interesting! If he or she has an alarming rate of epidurals, I would seriously consider changing doctors.

If you are still thinking, “I don’t care what anybody says, there is no way I am going to go through that pain like some freaky natural childbirth nut”, I am here to say that I thought exactly the same way when I was pregnant – at first. But once I did some reading, I thought, wait a second, maybe I could at least try to do it naturally. In my birth plan I wrote that I wanted to try to do it naturally, but if I ask for an epidural, give me one. (Where we live, Midwives can order epidurals.) I also want to say that I do believe that in some cases, epidurals are a really good idea. For example, if you have been laboring a very long time and you need to rest a few hours so that you can gather your energy to push the baby out. I was present at my friend’s birth as her support person, and she was not making any progress after about 10 hours. We tried all sorts of positions and everything, but finally her doctor suggested an epidural and I agreed. She was able to rest, and calm down, and then it wore off and she was able to push out her baby without any problems. It was beautiful. (Note: she did not experience any of the above complications.)

Please educate yourself by reading some of the books I recommend on my website. You will feel much better about yourself knowing that you did your research and made the right decision for you. Finally, please take a GOOD prenatal class (not one offered at a hospital) and read as much as you can so that you are prepared and educated. It’s your body and your baby!

 About The Author

Suzanne Doyle-Ingram is mother of two girls, Hana and Alexa, and married to her best friend James, who is a stay-at-home dad. Suzanne is also the creator of the Pregnancy Leads to New Babies.com website (http://www.pregnancy-leads-to-new-babies.com), an informative site for pregnant women and new Moms, which provides information on pregnancy, labor, and how to take care of your new baby. As a family, Suzanne, James, and the girls enjoy kite flying, swimming at the beach, and visiting new restaurants. Visit her website at www.pregnancy-leads-to-new-babies.com for more of Suzanne’s articles.

This article was posted on September 12, 2005

When they are well prepared, women are inherently capable of giving birth and have a deeply rooted instinct about what they need to do to when giving birth without medical intervention. This is the essence of the philosophy of natural childbirth. In natural childbirth, there are no drugs that alter the pace or nature of the labor process. The idea is that women need to be mentally strong and physically well-nourished so they can give birth using the natural powers of their bodies, and with little risk of complication. Women who take on the challenge of a natural childbirth typically do so under the care of a midwife. San Francisco is home to a number of fantastic midwifery services. If you’re thinking about a natural childbirth, San Francisco couldn’t be a better place to live–providing easy access to many well-trained, dedicated midwives.

Many people ask, “Why would a woman want to have a natural childbirth?” Some women get a sense of empowerment from being able to endure such pain, and it makes them feel more closely bonded to the newborn. Many women also feel it’s safer and healthier for both them and their babies to experience the labor process without doctors, drugs or any sort of unnecessary medical attention. People who profess the benefits of natural birth strongly believe that through this method, babies are born into a more peaceful environment, and because their mothers aren’t recovering from the side effects of narcotics, they’re able to hold and breast feed their babies almost right away.

 Advocates of natural childbirth argue that the natural process of labor is really quite simple and efficient. After all, this is how it has been done since the beginning of mankind. Women want epidurals because of their fear of intense pain. But ultimately, that often excruciating pain that is caused by contractions is what guides a laboring woman through the moves she needs to make to facilitate delivery. How she responds to what she feels actually increases the efficiency of the contractions and encourages the baby to move down the birth canal. When the mother feels little or no pain at all, the body’s system of feedback is interrupted and labor can slow down and, well, become quite laborious. When pain increases during natural childbirth, endorphins (which are, by the way, much stronger than morphine), are released in increasing amounts. Acting as nature’s narcotic, endorphins naturally relieve some of the pain.

Not only do many women choose to give birth naturally, but some also opt to have a home birth. San Francisco, or wherever you live–there are experienced midwives all across the country–has midwives who specialize in supporting women through a safe and natural home birth. Midwives often recommend this setting to the women they support, as their experience has shown that the home provides a comfortable, warm, and safe place to bring a baby into the world. When you find the right midwife (San Francisco based or not), you will have at your disposal a compassionate source of reassurance and knowledge that is needed to get you through a safe and healthy childbirth without medical intervention.

By: David Tang

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Written by Kacy Suther. California’s holistic midwife: San Francisco. Angelika Nugent provides natural childbirth San Francisco and services for home birth; San Francisco pre-natal and post-partum care.

I was busy doing my ironing one evening and happened to catch the last 20 minutes of a “documentary” where a film crew were following a famous woman, pregnant with her third child. It showed her meeting with her private obstetrician and anaesthetist to discuss her fear of needles. The celebrity, lets call her “K”, was not worried about “being cut open”, but feared the thought of a needle being put into her back, the epidural. During the discussion, the anaesthetist reminded “K” about last time when the obstetrician had put some pain killers into her rectum and when “K” looked shocked that this had happened to her, the anaesthetist added “There is nothing dignifying about childbirth!”.

I felt a great sense of sadness hearing these words, but also for poor “K” who had not been aware of what had happened to her during her last caesarean section. Working as a doula and doula trainer, I hear birth stories on a regular basis from clients and I also read a lot of trainee doulas own memories of their births. To have something “done” to you, without your knowledge, is usually the main reason why women feel their births have been horrible and traumatising. I kept thinking, why is this woman choosing to have an epidural and a caesarean section? Has she been given all the facts to make an informed choice or is she handing herself over on a plate, trusting that the experts will do what is best for her and her baby?
It is difficult to answer the question why celebrities elect to have a caesarean section since every woman is unique and I don’t want to generalise, but I would say that there are a couple of areas that can be identified.

I believe pregnant women are in a light state of hypnosis. They are very susceptible to anything they hear or see related to pregnancy and child birth. In society today, the press and media paint a very negative picture of childbirth and women are led to believe that having a baby is impossible without medical interventions. Childbirth in films or TV dramas is always portrayed in dramatic scenes of crisis, fear and tension. The media seem to consistently caricature childbirth as a horrendous and frightening process that anyone in their right mind would want to avoid. It is pretty difficult to get away from all the negativity. Just being pregnant and sitting on a bus will attract someone who is eager to tell a story about how somebody they knew nearly died giving birth, not to mention all the friends, family and neighbours who all have a story to tell. All this is bound to contribute toward the decision of an elective caesarean section.

 Another big reason must be the fact that women want to be in control. Especially when you are a celebrity! There is so much information about pregnancy and childbirth. Women believe that having prepared and planned the birth in detail will somehow give them control. However, natural childbirth involves the primitive part of the brain where all the hormones and endorphins are produced. Women need to keep out of their “intelligent brain” and let the body take control. This is a natural process which, if the circumstances are right will happen, but a woman needs to feel safe in her environment. She also needs to be able to switch off her thinking brain and this might mean she will be acting out of character. The woman might make strange noises, start swearing or screaming and shouting. I can guess that having made a habit of being in total control, this is an area which any celebrity would find extremely difficult to deal with, especially if this was leaked to the media. A caesarean section would be seen as the only available means of staying in control.

I also believe that celebrities might be fooled into thinking that if they pay for the best maternity care in the country, they will be given the right advice and have a perfect birth. Yes, you will get what you ask for, but does that mean you will be left with a beautiful birth memory? A postnatal client of mine had her baby at a private hospital in London with a private obstetrician. At 9 centimetres dilated, she asked for an epidural, and immediately one was administered. Anyone trained in birth physiology, will know that this request for an epidural in the late stages of labour is due to an increase of stress hormones in the body. It activates the “fight or flight” reflex and women very often ask for pain relief, say things like “I can’t do it anymore!” and even try to get off the bed to go home! This is usually a good sign that things are progressing well and that the baby will soon be born. In this case, the epidural left her unable to feel when to push and the birth ended with an episiotomy and ventouse delivery. Speaking to her about her birth experience, she feels angry that they gave her the epidural at such a late stage. What she had preferred would have been someone there to tell her how well she was doing and that soon she would be holding her baby in her arms. However, she was not paying for emotional support, she was paying for medical care and that means getting what you ask for, even if it is not what you really want.

I would encourage women to find all the information they can and ask for second opinions with regards to their options. Electing to have a caesarean section is not the “easy way out”. A caesarean involves major stomach surgery and the risks compared to a vaginal birth are much higher. Of course, caesareans do save babies and mothers lives, but I feel it should only be an option when there is a real need for it. I’m not interested in beating up the women who are making the choice to have an elective caesarean. I just want women to have all of the information they need to make this choice and I am not convinced that this is happening. I feel sad for women that are celebrities and trust that the care they will receive will be what is best for them because they are paying for it. Birth in not about passing or failing and every woman has got the right to choose what she wants but I would like to think that she knows exactly what it is that she says “yes” to.

By: Ido Pollock

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