This morning, I am going to rant. I haven't had a rant in a long time, and this one has been slow brewing for a while. On forums and on Facebook I have seen suggestions by "natural birth advocates" that if you have had a baby by Cesarean section you have not "birthed" your baby. The implication is that you are somewhat deficient in the motherhood stakes.
Now whilst I accept that there are women who may choose to have elective sections as they do not wish to have a labour and vaginal birth, I know of none. The vast majority of women have Cesarean sections due to clinical need, often emergencies. Yes, I think in some circumstances good, sound care and support may avoid a small number of sections, but by and large, the vast majority of Caesareans certainly in the UK aremedically necessary.
I am personally offended by the suggestion that I did not birth Joseph. Of course I did. I have the scar to prove it.
I think for mums who have had cesareans there is a feeling that our babies were ripped out before they were ready, before we were ready. And to me that's a seperate issue. Dealing with our bodies failure to keep our babies to term for whatever reason should be treated seperately, with tenderness and kindness. It takes time to grieve your lost pregnancy, your lost birthing experience. You still gave birth, just not in the way you may have planned.
For a long time I felt angry that I had had to have a section, that I didn't get to labour or deliver my baby. I was deeply upset and I know a lot of mothers feel the same. To have this further reinforced by so called "natural birth advocates" implying we did not even birth our babies, quite frankly, angers me.
I am fed up with this competitiveness when it comes to childbirth. The most valid method of delivery is the one that results in a healthy baby and mother. You are not more a mother if your baby comes out the lambing end in a pool in a lovely environment, rather than out the sunroof assisted by a surgeon. We are mothers.
For those of us who have had cesareans who would have preferred anything but, these suggestions we did not birth our children are offensive. I had no option. I could have refused to sign the consent form for my section, and indeed all the options were presented to me. However, there was no option if I wanted to live and have the opportunity to have a safe outcome, a healthy baby.
So just stop it. And for those that have had cesareans, take it from me, you birthed that baby, ok you may have had a little help, but that baby was birthed by you.
Now whilst I accept that there are women who may choose to have elective sections as they do not wish to have a labour and vaginal birth, I know of none. The vast majority of women have Cesarean sections due to clinical need, often emergencies. Yes, I think in some circumstances good, sound care and support may avoid a small number of sections, but by and large, the vast majority of Caesareans certainly in the UK aremedically necessary.
I am personally offended by the suggestion that I did not birth Joseph. Of course I did. I have the scar to prove it.
I think for mums who have had cesareans there is a feeling that our babies were ripped out before they were ready, before we were ready. And to me that's a seperate issue. Dealing with our bodies failure to keep our babies to term for whatever reason should be treated seperately, with tenderness and kindness. It takes time to grieve your lost pregnancy, your lost birthing experience. You still gave birth, just not in the way you may have planned.
For a long time I felt angry that I had had to have a section, that I didn't get to labour or deliver my baby. I was deeply upset and I know a lot of mothers feel the same. To have this further reinforced by so called "natural birth advocates" implying we did not even birth our babies, quite frankly, angers me.
I am fed up with this competitiveness when it comes to childbirth. The most valid method of delivery is the one that results in a healthy baby and mother. You are not more a mother if your baby comes out the lambing end in a pool in a lovely environment, rather than out the sunroof assisted by a surgeon. We are mothers.
For those of us who have had cesareans who would have preferred anything but, these suggestions we did not birth our children are offensive. I had no option. I could have refused to sign the consent form for my section, and indeed all the options were presented to me. However, there was no option if I wanted to live and have the opportunity to have a safe outcome, a healthy baby.
So just stop it. And for those that have had cesareans, take it from me, you birthed that baby, ok you may have had a little help, but that baby was birthed by you.
