So at yoga last night, Jenni, our instructor started talking about something that has been on my mind recently. She asked us to share about the birth we are hoping for. Everyone said they were hoping for either a natural or normal birth and with no or little interventions. I said I want a hypno-water birth, which is basically the same sentiments of classmates.
Jenni said the medical definition of a normal birth is without medication, or interventions and delivered through the vagina. A natural birth also has the same definition. Some people like to argue that what might be normal for one, isn't normal for all. However, society defines normal birth in a hospital bed, lying on your back, medicated, and birthed through the vagina. 66% of women have vaginal births. Of course, C-section is just what it is and cannot be confused. There is a new movement of natural C-sections starting to rise, which is more of a family-centered C-section where the baby is removed from the belly slowly, there is eye contact, and skin-to-skin time with mommy and baby.
Jenni praised us for being at prenatal yoga because we are making preparations for our birthing day just by being there. We are choosing to work with midwives, taking childbirth classes outside of a hospital, educating ourselves, and practicing positions and breathing that will help us with the birth we desire. She said even though our room is packed out and we have to open the doors to fit more mats in, still we are only 12 women that live in Athens. There are so many more women that need to be empowered and educated about the choices and options out there. Reading a book, taking a class or browsing a website can show women that birth doesn't have to be done the "normal" way as society defines it.
A lot of women for their second birth feel like they have to improve upon what wasn't done during the first. Their first experience didn't turn out the way they hoped so there is a lot of pressure of them to learn from their mistakes and achieve the births they want. First time mothers have the attitude that, "I don't know what to expect and I don't know what I am doing so I will just let someone else tell me what to do" attitude just because they are new to it. You can get the birth you desire the first time by educating yourself!
For example, women that have had a C-section can have a vaginal birth afterward. It is called a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean). Growing up, I was told that once you had a C-section, all your births had to be C-sections. That's the way it was with my mom and aunts. Some hospitals will allow VBAC's and some insurance companies will cover them. Joe and I watched one documentary about a couple that went to Canada just so they could have a VBAC. The Cesarean rate at our hospital is high (36%) and probably for many reasons. The people of Toccoa are not well-educated. There is a lot of poverty, substance abuse, and teenage pregnancies. On top of that, VBAC's aren't allowed so repeat Cesareans take place after a woman has had one. I asked what the Cesarean rate was with our midwives and they said 15%.
Right now, I am feeling confident and ready to birth Lincoln. Because I have practiced, I'm not scared, and my body knows what to do will bring me the birth I have been envisioning for months. Since Lincoln could arrive anytime, there is excitement in not knowing. It could be this weekend and it could be two weekends from now.
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