[amandarosie2]

There are many important decisions to make when expecting. However, it is of utmost importance that you are making informed decisions. Current trends suggest that women are no longer making informed decisions, and are instead following by example. This suggestion is provoked by the increase in cesarean sections, the increase in interventions and the small portion of women choosing midwifery care.

The cesarean rate in the United States is over 30%. However, at least 90% of women are capable of having a vaginal birth. (I say 90% because the figure depends on who you ask, some even suggest 98%) When c-sections were not available, women had to deliver vaginally. It is also important to remember that a cesarean section is a major surgery, they go through several layers of tissue and muscle to pull the baby out, and because it is a major surgery, there will be a recovery period.

The intervention rate in the United States is over 50%, meaning half of women are no longer having natural births. The term intervention includes a variety of medical things to “help” labor. Interventions are the result of trying to normalize labor and then intervening when it does not meet the normal expectations. However, every woman’s experience is going to be different. Another thing about interventions is that we do not know much about them, such as how they affect the baby and how they can affect the mom in the long-term.

Midwives have been the only constant figure by a laboring woman’s side throughout history. Today, they are highly skilled and devoted individuals. They have a woman-centered philosophy and believe that nature should follow its course during labor. Midwives also have the lowest infant and maternal death rates, and almost all women who use a midwife have very positive experiences. Yet, they are only used 10% of the time.

Many of these trends can change once women start making informed decisions. There is an abundance of information regarding the trends in the United States. Some of what you find may surprise or scare you, but it should only aid your decision-making. Make sure you do your research when making your birth plan, and be confident with your decisions. There are so many options on how and where to birth, but only one will be right for you. Make sure you find a provider that will adhere to and respect your birth plan. There are many obstetricians and midwives to pick from, and they all have different philosophies. Also, make sure that you understand the implications of your choice of interventions. You need to know the possible side effects and what they do to your body and to the baby.

It is important to make good decisions for yourself and your baby. When you make informed decisions, you are more likely to get the birth experience you want. Remember there are no right or wrong choices, as long as it is an informed decision and you are comfortable with that choice. I urge you to explore all of your options and listen to what you feel is right. I can only hope that trends will change when women start making informed decisions, but even if they do not I am happy knowing that women are confident in their pregnancy decisions.

[mrmnmom82]

I agree!!! I think that women have been told for so long they CAN'T have a baby without the help of intervention, when that is not true for sooooo many women. Yes there are ecceptions to the rule, there are some women on here that would be considered high risk. But I do believe that 90% of the women in the United States can have their baby vaginally, and safely.

Being educated will empower women to ask questions, and have more confidence in the ability of their own body. I have had personal experience with a midwife that was pro intervention. And put me on a "stopwatch" type of observation. I had been in labor a certain number of hrs. And was pressured into having an epidural. Which wasn't what I wanted. But what bothered me was that I was being put into this box.

The belief that all labors should go the same way is unfair to women. It gives unneeded anxiety to the situation.

It is very important to find someone that will help you have the labor and delivery you desire. So many women just push things aside that they hear their doctor say concerning VBACs or epidurals. But those things will be put into a light that, when in labor, they will tell you the life of your baby is in danger if you don't do this!!! When, in my opinion, the situation would be fine if they only gave the woman a bit more time, or flexibility.

I was just in the hospital overnight with what I thought might be preterm labor, it turned out not to be. Which I am grateful for. But before I could leave the next morning they told me all I needed was a NST for the twins and I could go. They said they new I wasn't in labor, they new babies were fine, they just needed the test for the paperwork. After trying for over an hr. to get both babies on monitors, I said, "This seems silly, and a bit much!" The nurse was apawled!! "We are concerned about the safety of your babies, this is NOT silly!" Then why are you sending me home if you're so worried about my babies!!! I've been through this kind of manipulative talk before, in my first pregnancy, it doesn't work on me!! But it does work on many other women.

How sad.

[1stTimeMomOf2]

I totally agree with you. I got all the information and was ready to use a midwife and natural birthing for my twins but I ended up in early labor at 29 weeks and had to have a c-section because of their positioning and them being so small. It was a very hard decision to make but I am happy that I did it because I wouldn't know what to do if my children had been hurt. It was my first pregnancy and I wasn't totally committed to the idea of natural delivery but ultimately the babies made the decision for me.
I am now pregnant again, only 8 1/2 months after having the twins. When I went back for my 6 week check up my doctor said she would only attempt a vbac if I waited 18 months...so I don't know what she'll say when I return to her in a couple weeks. I completely understand if I am unable to have a vbac because of the possibility of injury to me, I'll have to research it some more but I'm basically up for whatever will produce a halthy baby and leave me healthy as well.