tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-640846201971673514.post3876911861959453726..comments2023-05-03T05:22:30.162-04:00Comments on Mary Haseltine: Why I Love the Necessary CesareanMary @ Better Than Edenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05409924891343767874noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-640846201971673514.post-40696463096814914882013-08-30T18:54:02.391-04:002013-08-30T18:54:02.391-04:00I appreciate this post- I think it really does nee...I appreciate this post- I think it really does need to be said that c-sections save lives, at least in terms of . Also the neonatal death rate in the US (4/1000) is on par with that of Canada and many Eastern European countries, and only a hair higher than the lowest worldwide rates in Western Europe (2/1000). That difference may not be strictly related to our c-section rate but the heterogeneity of our populations and differences in access to health care and resources. Either way, although the absolute risks are low, birth is inherently risky and we have to recognize that hospital intervention may not be perfect but it's better than the alternative. duckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01457124470736040951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-640846201971673514.post-33199551423081338102013-08-30T17:07:19.529-04:002013-08-30T17:07:19.529-04:00I totally know what you're saying about reason...I totally know what you're saying about reasons why women don't switch doctors, because all of them pertained to me! Sometimes it's so hard to see past what is potentially directly in front of us (confrontation, in this case), to what the end result will be. I will absolutely recommend to any woman to switch doctors if she doesn't feel comfortable, for whatever reason!!<br /><br />And I am TOTALLY going to have at least one more. In fact, I'm praying for twins on the next one, and then I'm going to FIGHT for one more pregnancy after that. :D I figure, if it works out, then that means I at least get six. ;)Katrinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10112491244924018156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-640846201971673514.post-13769634952387224492013-08-30T14:54:58.939-04:002013-08-30T14:54:58.939-04:00Thank you so much for your comment, Katrina. It i...Thank you so much for your comment, Katrina. It is interesting how doctors all have different recommendations, isn't it? That's why I'm such a huge advocate for women doing their own research and asking questions and yes, DEFINITELY switching doctors if their advice doesn't make sense or is not based on evidence. So many women are afraid to switch because they don't want to offend their doctor or they think they're doctor is competent or a good doctor simply because they're nice, you know? I know some women are told they should never consider more than two or three cesareans but know several moms who have had at least five. Much of it depends on the type of incision and suturing but a huge part of it is just what the doctor is comfortable with. But if you're pregnant the baby's got to come out some way, right?<br /><br />I really appreciate what you said about loving the contractions. Something I've tried to remember while in labor is to think of and pray for the many many women who cannot have children and would give anything to be able to go through labor. I've never really extended that to c-section moms but it is so true and a great reminder.Mary @ Better Than Edenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05409924891343767874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-640846201971673514.post-7180170064859801662013-08-30T12:27:14.335-04:002013-08-30T12:27:14.335-04:00Such a well written post. Thanks for sharing (and...Such a well written post. Thanks for sharing (and happy birthday!). My first was frank breech and wouldn't turn. I'm thankful for the skilled doctor/surgeon who delivered her safely eight years ago, and I'm also thankful that that same doctor supported my decision to have a v-bac with my second, even though I went a week overdue. Having done both, I know the recovery is leaps and bounds easier with a vaginal delivery, but I am, like you, so glad for the science and skill that brought my daughter and I safely through her delivery in 2005.Anneryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04954066811992919236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-640846201971673514.post-48350055012014181732013-08-30T11:34:54.965-04:002013-08-30T11:34:54.965-04:00I've had three c-sections. The first was an em...I've had three c-sections. The first was an emergency one, and if I hadn't had it, my son would have died. He was already dying when they cut him out and passed him through the window to the NICU. His birth and subsequent recovery are an absolute miracle. <br /><br />Having said that, I wish I'd switched doctors. My second c-sec wasn't necessary, but my doctor almost lost his wife in a v-bac, so he was determined against it. He delivered my son two weeks early, and then left for his vacation. (Your mention of the convenience for doctors regarding c-secs rang with me). I finally switched to a MFM specialist who let me at least go to term, and was supportive of at least allowing me to try v-ba2c. It was the first (and probably only) pregnancy where I was able to feel (braxton-hicks) contractions. I loved those contractions. :) I didn't go into labor on my own, though, so I had my third son via c-sec, again. As it turns out, if I understood correctly, my uterus had folded under his head, blocking my cervix, was pretty thin, and he was nine pounds, so I'm at peace with that one. :) <br /><br />I would also like to mention how different doctors have different perspectives: My first doctor wouldn't even consider a vbac, but assured me with the fact that he had delivered six repeat c-sections, and his colleagues had delivered eight, so as long as I didn't want ten kids (I always wanted 12, but that's beside the point...) we probably wouldn't have problems. My second doctor was willing to go for a vbac, but sent in a colleague to tell me that, if I did end up doing the third caesarean, I should consider not having any more children. <br /><br />Brilliant, right?<br /><br />Honestly, though, it has helped me realize that my plans are not always what the Lord has in mind, and that's okay. :)Katrinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10112491244924018156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-640846201971673514.post-32689529726234706702013-08-28T06:26:00.669-04:002013-08-28T06:26:00.669-04:00Seven, wow! I'm so glad they've gotten be...Seven, wow! I'm so glad they've gotten better and that is so awesome they gave you your baby right away! I'm hoping more and more hospitals start to do this because I can't imagine how hard it would be to not be able to be separated like that. Thank you for sharing!Mary @ Better Than Edenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05409924891343767874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-640846201971673514.post-62036668434296716742013-08-27T21:38:46.771-04:002013-08-27T21:38:46.771-04:00I love this post, Mary! I feel the same way about ...I love this post, Mary! I feel the same way about c-sections! I have had 7, and my husband consoles me with the fact that I most likely would have died in child birth without it. I tried a v-bac, but it didn't work. My doctor said that my pubic bone is flat on one side (instead of curved) and having sunny side up babies to boot, there was no way (the nurses also assured me that if there was a way, the doctor would have made it happen, that made me feel much better!).<br /><br />Although, I have found that c-sections can be wonderful and peaceful! Like any other repeat surgery, it gets easier the more you do it. My hospital is awesome and at the front of really positive changes, with my last baby, as soon as the surgery was over, they allowed us to do skin to skin and nursing! (They actually said I might be able to do skin to skin during the surgery, but I wanted to wait as I'm usually a bit anxious and tired during.) I was in love with that last birth, and recovered very quickly. I'm so happy that there are efforts to make c-sections wonderful for the mother and baby. Theresahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05061767774590170961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-640846201971673514.post-35036062726521016702013-08-27T06:54:10.718-04:002013-08-27T06:54:10.718-04:00I'm so glad you liked it. I think when people...I'm so glad you liked it. I think when people when it comes to it being intended or not by God (and I may have used that phrasing before, I don't know), they're only referring to how God ultimately designed childbirth to work and that a surgical birth is to be used when something is outside the norm. Just like any major surgery, you know? Surgery means something isn't normal. Thank God we have it for when we need it. He doesn't actively will us to undergo surgery but He does allow it in His passive will for a greater good because original sin, redemptive suffering, a live baby or mother, yada, yada, yada. He also didn't primarily will ANY pain in childbirth but that can be turned around and used for a greater good as well. But yeah, I can see how that phrase might be hurtful. I hope that makes sense...Mary @ Better Than Edenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05409924891343767874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-640846201971673514.post-4400045670340668332013-08-26T21:24:40.115-04:002013-08-26T21:24:40.115-04:00Thank you, Mary and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! I sometime...Thank you, Mary and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! I sometimes feel like a failure for having 2 c-sections. I don't know if my first was necessary, but after 30 hours of labor and what seemed a complete failure to progress, I was happy to be cut open and get my baby in my arms. And my second...well it was a case of placental abruption - just like you were. <br /><br />Neither of my pregnancies were great and the deliveries don't have me singing the praises of childbirth. But I'm so, so thankful for the medical care I received and the two healthy babies God gave Kevin and I.<br /><br />Jill Foleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15919221814694982320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-640846201971673514.post-85234778046117515672013-08-26T21:08:30.235-04:002013-08-26T21:08:30.235-04:00Very good post! So thankful you're alive. Wh...Very good post! So thankful you're alive. When I first started reading it sounded like a novel. If you wrote a book I would definitely read it! Happy Birthday, you share a birthday with my son and Mother Teresa. Great day to be born.<br />Karihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09208276783281736857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-640846201971673514.post-67898429004569015222013-08-26T20:18:53.382-04:002013-08-26T20:18:53.382-04:00Thanks for this article. Well said! Thanks for this article. Well said! KKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14457791528867900551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-640846201971673514.post-62094438933580898022013-08-26T17:22:02.642-04:002013-08-26T17:22:02.642-04:00This is a sensitive subject no doubt, so I apologi...This is a sensitive subject no doubt, so I apologize if this sounds a little heated - I am glad to hear of cesarean support no matter what. <br /><br />I had a c-section for my first delivery for a number of the reasons you list as reasons given to "uninformed mothers" - over my due date, induction (after my multiple attempts at various more natural and unnatural methods failed), failure to progress with a sunny side up baby (who turned out to have a head almost 15 inches in circumference and wouldn't flip after many hours of different positions), blood pressure issues for both me and the baby etc. and the thing is I was informed and that was the route that I chose. <br /><br />In fact, my doctor gave me the first option of going for vaginal. She was highly supportive of that method, really wanted me to give it a try, but I made a different call. <br /><br />Turns out big heads run in the family - my husband had to extracted with vacuums and forceps from his mother who is more traditional/stereotypically suited to childbirth in her frame than I am - not to mention he was facing the right way to come out. Seeing the pictures of his poor bruised head when he was only hours old makes me wonder which way was more traumatic for the child and makes me a little more confident in my decision. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17904858990740505588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-640846201971673514.post-58601624344697258512013-08-26T17:12:52.647-04:002013-08-26T17:12:52.647-04:00Wonderful post...I have never had a c-section but ...Wonderful post...I have never had a c-section but have had to recover from surgery, so I know it's no picnic. I'm sure recovering from surgery and childbirth at the same time is a tough road too. Well thought out post.Amy @ Consecrated Housewifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00388283707930930940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-640846201971673514.post-73866406023886873852013-08-26T17:04:04.950-04:002013-08-26T17:04:04.950-04:00Beautiful! So glad you are here to tell us about ...Beautiful! So glad you are here to tell us about it! What a smart and unselfish mother you have. I've felt judged many times over all of my c-sections. Let's hope that section number five, coming soon, is not dramatic. Happy birthday!!!! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-640846201971673514.post-67341464788561921672013-08-26T16:44:03.364-04:002013-08-26T16:44:03.364-04:00love this love this love this! And basically you ...love this love this love this! And basically you stole the words right out o' my mouth. :) You are a good birth advocate! I think sometimes what's hard for us moms that have the pleasure of multiple cesarean births, is when our more natural friends assume ours were unnecessary or throw us in the category of the 'uninformed'. Or worse, when people imply (and I gotta tell you it has happened to me so many times before) that our births were not 'intended' by God. I thank God often for the wonderful people who helped me bring my child into the world. With tears in my eyes, I just had a conversation with my ob where I profusely thanked her for every single thing she is currently doing to ensure our third c, in three years is as drama free as possible. Thanks for sharing this, because I think it is especially heard from birth advocates such as yourself! :) Mary Wilkersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08895931413075965922noreply@blogger.com