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International Cesarean Awareness Network
The International Cesarean Awareness Network, Inc (ICAN) was formed over 25 years ago in order to support women in their journey towards understanding the risks of cesarean section and with the purpose of helping them have healthy births and healthy lives after undergoing the surgery that changed them.
Twenty-six years later, many women are still being told the same reasons why they must have a cesarean or why they cannot have a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) despite more and more research that states that cesarean surgery should not be taken lightly and that vaginal birth after cesarean should be encouraged in order to reduce further risks to both mother and baby.
In my opinion, every pregnant woman should take some time to educate herself at the ICAN web site. You matter, and your birth matters.
I have six children. I've given birth six times in six different ways. I can tell you that having educated myself about normal birth and the valid (and not valid) reasons for cesarean sections and other interventions have served me well. Two of my children were born via c-section (my 4th and 6th) and both were for excellent, valid reasons. I am not *against* c-sections, but I am against women being bullied, lied to, and forced into c-sections for no good reason. Knowledge is power, girls.
~Erica
You Have Control Over Your Birth Experience
You Have Control Over Your Birth Experience by Rayven Perkins
I have given birth to four children, in three different states. Each hospital had different policies and procedures, and each birth experience was unique.
My last delivery, just a few months ago, was to boy/girl twins.
I started my pregnancy with a new-to-me doctor I disliked, who was ready to schedule a cesarean in my first trimester. About halfway through the pregnancy, we moved, and I found an absolutely wonderful doctor. I expressed to him my desire to do everything humanly possible to deliver these twins vaginally. I had never had a c-section before, and really didn't want to have one.
He respected my decision, and agreed to only mention a c-section if an emergency situation occurred.
At the start of my third trimester, I had the opportunity to tour the hospital I was to deliver in. While on the tour, I asked if twin deliveries were required to be in the operating room, which is standard in most hospitals, and the touring nurse said to me, "How else would you have a c-section?" She seemed shocked that I would even consider giving birth to twins in any other way.
On the delivery day, I was able to labor in a birthing room and was transferred to the OR for the delivery only.
I had a normal labor, and they finally wheeled me into the OR. There were about six medical personnel in the room, busy preparing for the delivery and awaiting the doctor. I was concerned that the first baby was on his way out, and kept saying to the nurses "I think the baby is coming", but for the most part, they ignored me. I said this maybe five times. Finally, one nurse told me not to worry, that they would catch him should he decide to make an appearance.
Amidst all this activity, I suddenly had a thought, and announced, "Oh, by the way, under no circumstances whatsoever do I want an episiotomy."
Immediately, the six people in the room froze, and dropped everything they were working on to turn and look at me. So I repeated myself. They looked at me as though I was growing horns out of my head. Finally one nurse told me that she would make sure that the doctor knew.
The delivery went well. The second twin decided to turn breech at the last moment, but my doctor, respecting my decision to do everything possible to avoid a c-section was able to manually turn her. I avoided the episiotomy as well, which proved to be completely unnecessary.
The next morning, as I was walking around trying to regain my strength, I saw several other new mothers sitting on ice packs, moaning and groaning. They had not realized the episiotomy was a choice.
All the nurses who cared for me after the delivery treated me oddly. It was as though I were some sort of celebrity. Finally, one nurse spilled the beans. It seemed that I was the first mother to deliver twins vaginally in that hospital in over ten years.
Ten years.
It amazes me how much hospitals and doctors take certain situations for granted. No vaginal twin deliveries in a decade? How many of those mothers were lead to believe their bodies wouldn't do what came naturally to them? How many of them had unnecessary surgeries, higher risk of infections, and major recover for nothing?
You have a lot more control over the birth of your child in a hospital setting than you are aware of.
--An episiotomy is optional, but if you do not speak up and vocalize your desire not to have one, it may happen to you.
--A c-section is optional in some cases. There are circumstances where it is necessary, but many are done for convenience when other options are available.
--Pain medications and even IVs are optional. If you chose not to have any pain medications, then you do not need to be hooked up to an IV at all.
--Lying flat on your back in a bed is optional. If you do not have an epidural, you do not need to remain in bed through labor and delivery. Feel free to move about, take a shower, and try different labor positions that you would like to get more comfortable.
The birth of your baby should be a happy experience. It should not be one of fear and disappointment. Simply talk with your doctor and hospital staff about your desires. Do this early in the pregnancy. If it seems like your doctor does not take your concerns seriously, find a new doctor.
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Rayven Perkins is an expert at saving money at home. She has spent 7 years finding and implementing unique cost-cutting tips that allow her family to live comfortably as a one-income family. Her site http://www.stay-a-stay-at-home-mom.com examines resources and tips on Reducing Expenses, Stretching Your Dollar, and Supplementing Income in order to stay a SAHM
It Wasn't False Labor!
~Erica
The Business of Being Born
As a mother of six, I have had
a hospital birth with an OB
a home birth of a posterior baby, attended by a lay midwife
a birthing center birth with a certified nurse midwife
a c-section for a premature breech baby and a placental abruption
an unassisted home waterbirth VBAC
a c-section for another placental abruption
Watching the film trailer here I was moved to tears remembering my own birth experiences--particularly the very empowering ones. I was reminded that women are getting ripped off every day with the messages and management of birth in our society. Women are so used to the message that birth is dangerous and that their bodies aren't able to birth without intervention, that they believe the lies and allow their natural rights as women and mothers to be stolen away from them.
At the risk of sounding like a fanatic, I want to tell you this: Women, you are being lied to. You are being told that you are broken and weak. And for the vast majority of you that are forced or convinced into believing this, you may not even know what you are being robbed of. But you are being robbed nonetheless. And it is tragic. Truly tragic.
Take some time to watch this movie. I'm including some videos here, but you can also go to the official web site for more information, including info on local showings all over the world.
Wilmington, NC residents--you have a community showing coming up on Jan. 31. Also, the movie will be available through Netflix in mid-February. Do a search on youtube.com for "the Business of Being Born" and you will find quite a few interviews, etc. to watch.
~Erica
