32 percent! That’s a 1 in 3 chance of a c-section (which is considered a major surgery). The highest rate ever reported. This baffles me on so many levels … so I’ll let the article speak for itself. The article is originally from the New York Times report summarized on FitPregnancy this week.
DISCLAIMER – I have not yet had my little one, so I don’t have the full-circle experience of being approached with the need/option to have a c-section. I do know, it scares me spitless to think about having major surgery. The most medical experience I have is getting my wisdom teeth removed!
Before getting pregnant I hadn’t really thought through my birth. In the last few months I have been overwhelmed by the options, scenarios, and opportunities. Luckily, my mom is finishing her DONA certification and she has been a wealth of knowledge. It’s hard to know what is the right thing to do. In the end, Dominic and I have decided to pursue a drug-free waterbirth at a birth center with a midwife. Since we are anticipating a normal and healthy pregnancy I didn’t feel it was necessary for me to be in a hospital environment since hospitals are usually reserved for those who are unwell. To me, pregnancy doesn’t fall into the “unwell” category. It’s a normal process that I am trusting my body (and midwife) to lead me through.
I was born by a c-section so although I would like to consider myself a birth warrior (in that pre-birth confidence pep talk I keep giving myself) I think the real test of motherly stamina will fall into the parenting category not the few hours/days of labor and birth.