Just a little rant and rave (@rebeccati become a midwife and practice in Canada!)
I’ve been in the labor and delivery unit this rotation. Today I saw my first cesarean section and my first vaginal delivery. The births were each beautiful in their own way. In both cases, the second that infant emerged, time seemed to stop and I would hold my breath. Tears came to my eyes. It was unbelievable to witness a new life coming into the world.
However, the more knowledge I aquire about an unmedicated, unassisted vaginal delivery with no “labor management” or “interventions”, the more discouraging it all seems. Will this ever be a reality for me?
I questioned two labor and delivery nurses and my instructor today. Could they think of any obstetricians in the Toledo area who still do vaginal births after a woman has had a cesarean section? The could only name one. And this physician is older and set to retire soon.
Reality is so different from the classroom. My textbook says that 60% of women have VBACs. How can this be true? VBACs may not be illegal or banned (although some hospitals are refusing a woman this right in the north west) but a woman is hard pressed to find an OB who will help her. Too much of a liabilty.
I’ve heard so much talk about the dangers of uterine rupture with VBAC. But no one talks about the dangers of a repeat c-section. Infection, hemorrhaging, infertililty, increased risk of maternal death, etc.
This is the first time I have really felt passionate about an area of the medical field, so I have been thinking of one day becoming a midwife. This too seems far off for me. Liabilty insurance is so high for midwives that many cannot afford to practice, and it is incredibly difficult to find an obstetrician to cover you in case of an emergency. Also, I would probably have to go to school out of state.
I am blessed to have a husband who supports me in my decisions about the births of our future children. In some ways I am thankful for the birth experience I did have; it wasn’t entirely awful. The moment I first saw Vivian was wonderful (although I didn’t get to hold her for almost 2 hours, and only for a short while before she was taken from me for 4 more hours. But that’s another story.) I am thankful because my experience has made me feel passionate about educating other women.
If there is one thing I could say to future mothers out there: educate yourself. Learn your options because you do have options. Surround yourself with people who support you and your decisions. And don’t be afraid of your body. Pregnancy, labor, birth and mothering are programmed within. Your body is a powerful vessel.
And if there is one thing I could change about our culture: appreciate a woman’s body not just for her sexuality but also for her reproductive qualities. Being a mother is beautiful. Women are strong and powerful. Please stop depicting birth as a scary, painful experience.
Take back birth!
