What YOU Should Know about Cesarean Birth

THIS BOOKLET IS AWESOME.
If you had, are planning to have, thought about having or KNOW someone that had a Cesarean Section, this is great information for making an educated decision.

In 1970, one in 20 women had a CSection.
Today, one in 3 have a CSection.

Is it really true that one in three babies/moms cannot give birth on their own?
Frightening.
I don't believe it.
There must be other factors at work....such as money and liability perhaps?

Safe Birth

Myth:
Cesarean Section is Safe.
Reality:
Vaginal birth is far safer overall for mothers and babies.
Although cesarean section is safer than in the past, it is major abdominal surgery and poses many extra harms for mothers and babies in comparison with vaginal birth.

Myth:
Planned cesarean is optimal solution for mothers and babies.
Reality:
Vaginal birth is far safer overall for mothers and babies.
Planned cesarean is very convenient for busy hospitals and caregivers.

Myth:
Vaginal birth is harmful for mothers and babies
Reality:
Vaginal birth is far safer overall for mothers and babies than cesarean section.
Some overused medical practices during vaginal birth are harmful to mothers and babies.
Research has not been done to determine whether giving birth through the vagina has intrinsic risks in comparison with cesarean section.

Myth:
Having an elective cesarean section will prevent incontinence later in life.
Reality:
Current research suggests that having a cesarean section will have no effect on incontinence later in life. Having an elective cesarean section poses many harms and limited benefit to mothers and babies.

Tips for Reducing Risk During Pregnancy:
Find doctor or midwife with low rates of intervention
Discuss goals and preferences with caregiver
Choose birth setting with low rates of intervention
Create your own birth statement
Arrange for continuous labor support
Explore options for pain relief

Tips for Reducing Risk During Labor:
Work with caregivers to delay going to hospital
Receive good support throughout labor
If possible, avoid continuous electronic fetal monitoring
Avoid epidural analgesia

Tips for Avoiding Cesareans (during Pregnancy):
If cesarean proposed, make informed decision
If had previous cesarean, make informed decision
If baby is breech, make informed decision
If you fear vaginal birth, consider in-depth counseling

Tips for Avoiding Cesareans (during Labor):
Avoid routine interventions when possible (in addition to electronic fetal monitoring, epidural, induction, artificial rupture of membranes, arbitrary time limits)
If cesarean is proposed, make informed decision.

Tips for Avoiding Unnecessary Assisted Birth:
Push in an upright or side-lying position
Avoid time limits for pushing
Let your body guide pushing, when possible

Tips for Avoiding Unnecessary Pelvic Floor Injury:
Talk with caregivers about avoiding routine use of interventions that can increase risk
Carry out pelvic floor muscle exercises

http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ClickedLink=184&ck=10263&area=2

Cinco de Mayo

The fifth of May is also known as INTERNATIONAL MIDWIVES DAY!!!

This site has some great ideas about how to celebrate.

http://mana.org/IntMidDay.html

I intend to submit a request to the state of South Carolina to issue a proclamation to recognize International Midwives Day. YAY!

Midwives are some of the few citizens fighting daily to maintain a women's right to a natural, low-tech birth experience. Thank you Midwives for your faith in women and our innate ability to nurture and birth our children without the help of a scapel.