Awesome post Amy. And I couldn't agree more. That video was difficult to watch and much of what was said was difficult to hear.

Cathy

Thanks Amy, for starting a discussion about the video. I think the more Mom's that educate themselves on all of the possible scenarios in birth, the better prepared we will all be. I know for me personally, I was completely unprepared for our birth experience. That I regret.

Jen

I had both my deliveries by c-section. With first son I had to have an emergency induction and when that didn't work it was time for a c-section (I had preeclampsia) and delivered about 6 wks early. With son #2, preeclampsia hit again and had to have emergency delivery about 6wks early - I wanted the c-section over the vag. birth if I made it full term but not sure I would have had a choice at this point since I was in trouble again. They didn't even run tests, my blood pressure was so high and I had such a bad headache they didn't want to wait.

I can speak for myself- having only had the csection experience (first delivery) and not feeling any great need to prove anything to myself or anyone else for that matter by going any other way, I was more comfortable going for another c-section.

Great post, Amy and you make excellent points. I didn't see the segment but I know the story well. Thanks for giving viewers another side to think about.

Thank you for posting this information Amy. I do not agree with the doctor who said that "big babies" and babies born past their "due date" are babies who would be safer born via c-section. My first baby was 8 lbs 13 ozs and the hospital said he was "large for gestational age." I am only 5' 4" and weigh 115 pounds but was able to birth this baby just fine without medication or a c-section. My second baby was 8 lbs 10 oz and was 13 days beyond his guess date. Thankfully my midwife monitored our pregnancy closely and determined that the baby was still doing fine. He was born on that 13th day robust and very healthy.

I agree that there is definitely a need for c-sections at times and acknowledge that some babies wouldn't have made it without this form of surgery. However, it is not a surgery that should be used with a checklist if the baby and mother appear to be just fine.

As far as reverance is concerned, it is said to know that this doctor was talking about c/s rates when he's sewing up a mama who just had a baby. I know of many women who have had babies via c/s and they were treated as surgical patients first and women having babies second. It's a sad situation when it's not a true medical necessity.

There is a wonderful organization called "ICAN" (International Cesarean Awareness Network) that works to educate more families about c-sections, vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC), etc. so that families are better prepared when their doctor suggests a c/s or says that they can't have a vbac.

Thanks to the Today Show for allowing bloggers to post and comment about this issue.

Thanks for commenting on the segment so coherently, Amy. I have a family history of large babies and had an almost 12-pound baby, and no one suggested a c-section as a matter of course. I had an uncomplicated vaginal birth.

Beautifully stated, Amy. Thank you.

It was disappointing to see that the hospital did not follow Baby Friendly Hospital Initiatives such as placing the baby skin to skin immediately after birth. Evidence shows that placing the baby skin to skin on the mother's chest (which can be done after c-sections as well) with a warm blanket over the baby's back reduces crying, improves mother-infant interaction, keeps the baby warm and facilitates breastfeeding initiation and duration. A newborn baby that is placed skin-to-skin, even if the mother does not decide to breastfeed, will expend less energy and fewer calories through crying and maintaining body temperature. More studies need to be done but we think it is entirely possible that long-term positive health outcomes will be associated with skin to skin; it is utterly conceivable that post-partum depression and SIDS will decrease as more hospitals practice the ten steps of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative.

Thanks Amy for being the voice for so many of us who have had highly medicalized births and who believe that our media and hospital systems are normalizing a way of birth that is actually not very normal at all, and does not result in improved health outcomes for mother & baby.

Thanks Amy for your post. I was incensed by this segment and too angry to post as rationally, calmly, and clearly as you. This segment was obviously aired for ratings and not to help or inform as the commentary was ill-informed at best.

I had my first child all natural, no drugs..it was a beautiful experience. Despite the fact that my second child was breech I chose to try to deliver and wound up having a c-section..for me it was the most horrible experience of my life and had my first child been a c-section I guarantee I would have never had another child. I can also say that I notice that I bonded far better with my first child and have to work really hard with my second. Would never opt for a c-section unless it was absolutely necessary.

Thank you, Amy, for your thoughtful post.

I would just add for the reader who suggested attempting a VBAC is to "prove" one's self--that is a misrepresentation and simplification of a complex issue. Those of us who have had, and advocate for those who want them, natural (unmedicated, nonintervened) births don't do it because we are trying to prove something. We do it because it's best for the baby and ourselves (in the absence of a complication that requires intervention). Every intervention introduces risk, and the choice to avoid unnecessary interventions is a choice to eliminate unnecessary risk. C-Section is certainly warranted (about 10-15% of the time as the WHO recommends) in some situations, but it is never without risks to the baby and the mother. The question is, is the need for the intervention greater than the risk. In the case of pre-eclampsia, it often is. Because the baby "might be big" is not a good justification. Big babies are often just fatter than smaller babies. Fat squishes through the pelvis just fine.

The Today Show's piece was trite and uninformative. C-Section is an important issue that women should be educated about, but this piece did not deliver.

Oh, and as for proving one's self...that was not my motivation for having my natural births, but it was a fringe benefit. After that, I truly knew I could do anything. That sense of empowerment is what I hope my clients walk away from their births with.

Gina Gerboth, Midwife, Lactation Consultant

Great post, Amy!

It is unfortunate that medical professionals perpetuate the myth that c-sections are "safer" for any general category (such as large babies). Having birthed an "overdue" 10 lbs, 4 oz baby, I definitely did some research before deciding to try for a vaginal birth. I found that any risks were about equal to potential complications from c-section. People often forget that c-sections have possible risks as well.

C-sections can save lives when they are absolutely necessary. Thank goodness they are available to those who need or choose them. But if performed excessively, when not necessary, they can not only be a symptom of disempowerment, they can be downright dangerous.

First of all, thank you to the TODAY show for allowing me to share my feedback on their blog. I appreciate the opportunity.

Secondly, thank you all for the feedback. I believe every woman should do her research and decide what is best for her and her baby - whether that be a hospital birth, birthing center birth, home birth, c-section, repeat c-section, VBAC, etc. Because I could only write so much for this guest post, I put together a post for my own blog with additional resources about c-sections, VBAC, vaginally birthing larger babies, etc. You can read the post here: Follow-up to TODAY show guest post: Childbirth Resources- http://crunchydomesticgoddess.com/2010/02/07/today-show-guest-post-c-section-childbirth-resources/

Knowledge is power.
-- Amy
Crunchy Domestic Goddess

I had an issue w/ posting the link above and thought I needed to redo it here, but I was able to correct it so this comment can be deleted. Thx :)

Amy - thank you so much for speaking to this perspective on Cesarean births. I so badly wish I knew these things before my first child was born via c-section - particularly the part about how increasingly it is becoming incredibly difficult to pursue a VBAC birth. Now that I've had two c-sections, I have almost zero chance of ever getting to have a vaginal birth experience. I regret that I did not make more informed choices.

Amy--

Yes, knowledge is power. When I found out I had a breech baby girl who was small (6 lbs 10 oz), I did my research on all my options. C-Section scared me because yes it is major surgery. But after hearing numerous stories of birthing experiences that ended up in c-section but endured hours of pain and trauma for mom and baby beforehand, c section was an easy choice for me.

Being a mother is the most amazing gift. But by not having preconceived notions of how it had to be, a c section was a great birth process for me. I think so much emphasis is placed on natural birth that many moms get it into their heads that this is the only way to become a "real" mom.

Well, I am a "real" mom who bonded with my baby just fine after c section and who is still nursing but (gasp!) introduced a bottle with breastmilk at one week. And guess what?? There was no stress in my experience as a new mom. I took everything day by day and looked at realistic needs of the situation and have truly enjoyed every moment. By not listening to what others were pushing on me and having no preconceived notions of how it HAD to be, I have been able to come into the world of mothering with eyes wide open and a realistic experience.

Thank you for the information Amy. Future moms out there, don't think it has to be a certain way for you to be a good mom. Take it day by day and do what is best for you and your baby with no regrets!

Great post, Amy - with some very important links included.

I have a problem with mass media feeling it's fine to show medicalized birth on tv, but not to show normal birth.

Women who are birthing are not sick. And there is no need for a c-section unless medically warranted. My opinion is that women who choose a c-section for any reason other than real medical need, are giving away what could be the most empowering, positive and amazing experience of their lives. Women are beginning to doubt their ability to birth before they even get pregnant. For tv to only show the medicalized birth procedure is unbalanced. I think that is problematic.

go amy! go amy! thank you for speaking up and speaking truth!!

Having had both a C-section in 2004, and a VBAC birth in 2006, I can say for me, there was no comparison. I was unable to hold my baby for an hour after he was born, I was sick, in pain, had trouble breastfeeding, couldn't eat for 3 days after surgery, in the hospital for 5 days after the C-section, and didn't start feeling normal again for 12 weeks.

Compare that to the vaginal birth: I was able to hold my baby seconds after he was born, I wasn't sick, I was eating half an hour after he was born, had no breastfeeding issues, went home 2 days after the birth, and felt better 3 weeks post-partum than I did after 3 months with a C-section.

Interestingly, the only reason I had to have a C-section, was my baby was breech and wouldn't turn. Today, that is a medically necessary reason. Never mind thousands and thousands of baby's have been born for decades, and decades breech, and both mother and baby were fine. In fact, breech birth deliveries are very rarely even taught in medical schools anymore.

I have researched and written about C-sections, and VBACS for 6 years. C-sections make more money for the hospitals and doctors- more than twice as much than a vaginal birth. Birthing today, like it or not, is a business, and big business at that.

Some C-sections are needed and do save lives as a medical tool. But in the United States, when almost one in three babies is being born via C-section, and our maternal death rates are rising, something is seriously wrong. Our bodies were made to give birth. A C-section is a major abdominal surgery, with serious effects, emotionally, physically, and financially for women and their families. I think it is irresponsible of the TODAY show to show a surgical birth, and portray it as normal, and as "the right way to give birth."

I'm happy the TODAY show has allowed Amy and those of us who believe C-sections are not the normal way to give birth, our opinions. Hopefully TODAY will be showing a natural birth as well in the near future.

I wrote about this program, too.

http://prettybabies.blogspot.com/2010/02/im-little-pissed-at-today-show.html

I'm glad I'm not the only one who was troubled by the way this surgical birth was normalized. As I said in my blog post - my next childbirth (hopefully in 10 or 11 months) will be a scheduled, induced natural childbirth (my first was unmedicated after I went into labor naturally, my second was induced due to Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy and pregnancy induced hypertension but I did not use medicinal pain relief, and due to fast labors I will choose to be induced with Cytotec again with any future pregnancies).

The Today show is welcome to send a camera crew. Meredith can be my doula. I'd love the opportunity to show the world what natural childbirth is really like.

Amy, thank you for pointing out so many of the issues with this Today Show segment. I had a c-section and a successful VBAC; having gone through the journey of birthing in both manners, I know first hand how much pressure today's moms are under. For years I watched the TLC show A Baby Story where every day, twice a day they air a baby being born. Before having children of my own, that show was that basis for my understanding of birth. Now being a mom of two girls, I get frustrated with shows like that and this Today Show episode because they never give people a positive example of a natural childbirth. Women need to see positive images of childbirth to be able to approach their own birthing experience positively and with realistic expectations.

Like another mom mentioned, my VBAC was not an attempt to prove anything to anyone, least of all myself - I certainly would never make such a vain choice when a child's life is at the heart of things - I chose to attempt a VBAC as the safest route to holding my baby in my arms. I chose to trust my body and trust my baby. That's not to say I ruled out anything if a life or death situation presented itself.

Motherhood is not an easy journey. We each have to make the best decisions for our own families. However, it becomes tricky when the masses are being provided with inaccurate information and the people we're supposed to trust (doctors, hospitals) are being driven by fear of lawsuits. I think the community of people passionate about natural childbirth are still quite the minority. Women need to know all the information. As a mother of two daughters, I want them to be in charge of their bodies and their health.

I wrote about my journey to a successful VBAC on my blog:

http://mamaheartsbaby.com/category/vbac-series/

The comments are great so feel free to check it out.