A personal birthing experience for me would be the birth of my best friends daughter Aurora. When my friend Ariele went into labor, I rushed to the hospital with my husband and we waited in anticipation. I have know Ariele for 10 years, so I was very excited! She had planned on having a natural birth, no epidural, or medications. She was in labor over night, so my husband and I rented a hotel room since we live out of town. at 5 in the morning she had to have a C-section, because while pushing, she was told that her birth canal was too narrow for her daughter to fit through. When we were able to see them both, she expressed her disappointment that her birth plan didn't go the way that she wanted, but was happy for a healthy baby girl! I chose this example because it has been a year now, I am now pregnant and have my own birth plan that I would like to follow. But this example always reminds me that it may not go the way that I have planned, and if it doesn't, then that is okay too. I know that there are different ways to have a baby, naturally, with medication, water births, or a c-section, but each way just makes the experience unique and doesn't diminish anyone's motherhood.
In Chin, I have learned that 50% of women have a c-section birth over a vaginal birth, and most who have a vaginal birth have an epidural. Most doctors actually push for the women to have c-sections because it is faster, since China is a over populated area. They can do "10 or 12 c-sections in a day compared to perhaps 2 or 3 vaginal births," says MK one of the best-qualified midwives in China, according to "The Telegraph newspaper." She also says that there is a belief among Chinese families that c-section is a low-risk option, and they believe it is a better option when parents can only have one.
The differences in China verses what my friend experienced is that most Chinese women want to have a c-section, while my friend wanted a natural birth. No matter what kind of birth that you chose, you do whatever you think is right for you and your baby. I think childbirth is beautiful, no matter how you do it.
Resources
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/mother-tongue/9796499/Why-50-per-cent-of-Chinese-women-are-opting-for-C-sections.html
So sorry to hear that her birth plan did not go as planned. But am excited to know she was able to have a healthy and happy baby. Congratulations on your bundle of joy. That is so odd that in china they are pretty much choosing convenience over safety. I do not know how I would feel with someone pretty much trying to push me into a c-section. The culture is very different as c-sections are not even mentioned in the U.S. unless they are truly needed.
ReplyDeleteHi Felisha,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your pregnancy! That is exciting news. It sounds as though your friend experienced something that many mothers face which is that things do not always go according to plan. I am sure since having the baby she has found that to be the case on more than one occasion. It sounds like you are prepared for this possibility, as well. As long as you and your baby are both healthy everything else will fall into place.
I read that in Brazil c-sections are often encouraged by the doctor because it causes a longer hospital stay and surgery so it yield the doctor more money. That made me really sad to think that in other countries (which are fully developed) that a doctor would think of money as the important factor in a families birthing plan. I am glad you have more options here in the US.
Wendy
Congratulations on your pregnancy, I do hope your birthing plan goes the way you want. My plan was no epidural and thankfully plan went accordingly. I wish we had control over how everything went once the baby starts coming but they start getting what they want even before they are born, lol. A lot of people i know have had c-sections. Good luck with everything!
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