Birth is and can be beautiful under any circumstances. Many women visualize themselves laboring naturally at home, and having a beautiful water birth-- perhaps at a birth center or hospital. And then they envision this blissful look on their faces as they hold their babies up on their chest for the first time. Sometimes women are able to achieve this type of birth. And sometimes, things do not go as they expect. The baby may be in a position that makes labor more challenging to navigate, longer, waves stronger than anticipated. Some places of birth place restrictions, create time limits. Babies get tired and their little hearts may not tolerate laboring for days. The uterus might get tired too.
Sometimes, surgical birth is necessary. We don't plan for it, it's not usually the first choice, but there are times when a cesarean is needed.
The very first time I sat down with a seasoned doula over a cup of coffee, while I pondered whether or not I should pursue becoming a doula, she described supporting families through "Caesarean Birth". She was quite clear that it should never ever be called "Cesarean Section," as that refers to the surgery itself and robs the baby and the mother of having a birth experience at all. A cesarean is still a birth. In fact, I have witnessed and deeply believe that it can still be a really beautiful way for a baby to enter the world.
When all other options have been exhausted, it may (dare I say it?) be the best choice for a family. Thank goodness for cesarean birth as it has and does save babies and/or mothers in emergency situations.
If you do face the decision of choosing a cesarean birth for your baby under any circumstances, you can always consider the many options available in a more Family Centered Cesarean. These are being offered more and more in our area, and attempt to create as many options in likeness of vaginal birth for each family.
For more information about Family Centered Cesarean, you can watch this wonderful video.
http://youtu.be/m5RIcaK98Yg
This post was written by Hope Lien, a birth doula with A Woman's Design- Doula and Childbirth Services in honor of doula week. Hope is certified as a Birth and Postpartum Doula through DONA International, certified as a Lactation Counselor through Healthy Children, and certified as a Breastfeeding Without Birthing instructor.
She lives in the Minneapolis area with her husband and 15 month old daughter, who came to them through the miracle of adoption. She was able to offer her support as a doula to her daughter’s birth mother and helped catch her as she was born. She is very proud that she was able to induce lactation in order to nurse her daughter for over a year now
Sometimes, surgical birth is necessary. We don't plan for it, it's not usually the first choice, but there are times when a cesarean is needed.
The very first time I sat down with a seasoned doula over a cup of coffee, while I pondered whether or not I should pursue becoming a doula, she described supporting families through "Caesarean Birth". She was quite clear that it should never ever be called "Cesarean Section," as that refers to the surgery itself and robs the baby and the mother of having a birth experience at all. A cesarean is still a birth. In fact, I have witnessed and deeply believe that it can still be a really beautiful way for a baby to enter the world.
When all other options have been exhausted, it may (dare I say it?) be the best choice for a family. Thank goodness for cesarean birth as it has and does save babies and/or mothers in emergency situations.
If you do face the decision of choosing a cesarean birth for your baby under any circumstances, you can always consider the many options available in a more Family Centered Cesarean. These are being offered more and more in our area, and attempt to create as many options in likeness of vaginal birth for each family.
For more information about Family Centered Cesarean, you can watch this wonderful video.
http://youtu.be/m5RIcaK98Yg
This post was written by Hope Lien, a birth doula with A Woman's Design- Doula and Childbirth Services in honor of doula week. Hope is certified as a Birth and Postpartum Doula through DONA International, certified as a Lactation Counselor through Healthy Children, and certified as a Breastfeeding Without Birthing instructor.
She lives in the Minneapolis area with her husband and 15 month old daughter, who came to them through the miracle of adoption. She was able to offer her support as a doula to her daughter’s birth mother and helped catch her as she was born. She is very proud that she was able to induce lactation in order to nurse her daughter for over a year now
RSS Feed
