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Weekly Geeks – Social and Political Issues (Natural Childbirth)

Weekly Geeks – Social and Political Issues

This week’s challenge is to choose a political or social issue that interests you, and explain a little bit about it.

I’m a member of The National Childbirth Trust (NCT), and I’m a big believer in educating pregnant women as much as possible. They can can then make informed decisions on their birth, and be free from fear.

Childbirth is a natural process, but many women are so fearful of it that they opt for caesareans (major abdominal surgery!) or drug themselves up so much that they’re not really aware of what is happening. I know that there are some medical emergencies where these things are needed, but in the majority of cases intervention is unnecessary.

I was lucky enough to have two natural births, with no medical intervention. I think this is down to the fact that I had read so much on the subject that I knew exactly what was happening to me, and so was not scared.

There are lots of great books out there, but these are two of the best:

So if you’re pregnant, or planning to have a baby please read as much as you can on the subject. Don’t be scared about the birth – it’s a natural process that ends in a beautiful new life!

 

13 replies on “Weekly Geeks – Social and Political Issues (Natural Childbirth)”

I agree with you. I’ve had three births, all different. My first was with epidural, my second was caesarian (due to medical reasons regarding my baby), and my last one natural. I have a number of friends who I’ve been trying to convince not to do CS but they opt for it anyway, thinking the hassle and the pain is less. I always tell them that’s a misconception. The worst childbirth I experienced was my second, the CS one. It was so traumatic afterwards. I was in so much pain that I wasn’t able to take care of my baby well. My husband had to do everything. I love the natural birth the best, although I admit it was mindblowingly painful during, but it lasted only a few moments, and the rewards are countless. I loved the feeling of not having any withdrawals from drugs, that it felt like nothing happened to my body afterwards, everything just felt so ‘natural’ that I was able to focus all my attention not on soothing myself but on my new baby and my other kids.

I have a friend that looked for a OB-GYN that would allow her to have her children via c-section, just because she was scared of the alternative. I couldn’t believe it. I was aghast that a doctor would even do such a thing. Bravo to you and your cause!

Claire – Thank you so much for sharing your story! It’s great to have someone who has actually experienced all the options agree!

I only have the one child, who I had by emergency caesaerian because of foetal distress, so I have nothing to compare it to. However, between the pain, not being able to bend down for several days in order to change him, or be able to bath him; not realising that a caesaerian would mean difficulties with breastfeeding (which I gave up fairly early), it’s not a choice I would make if I could help it. I was grateful that the outcome was a healthy baby, but the whole process was fairly terrifying.
I agree _ education is the key. Great post 🙂

I appreciate all these points made here. Nicely done, Jackie! I would like to add that (two babies down the road for me) after the pain is just a distant memory, that feeling of accomplishment after natural childbirth is something that stays with you forever, that feeling of trust in your own body. That is a gift all unto itself.

What a wonderful cause to publicize in the Geek forum. I am in agreement with you. My three were all born in hospitals where it felt so impersonal and unimportant to the medical people. They were just gossiping away while new life was joining the world! I’m so glad my daughter chose a home birth with a midwife for her two daughters. Bringing new life into this world should be a welcoming and meaningful event, not just a boring medical procedure. Thanks for sharing this.

pussreboots – I have no problem wih c-sections for medical reasons – the most important thing is that the children are born safely.

Sandy – It is amazing how many people think a c-section is the easy option! A few hours after a natural birth most of you is back to normal, whereas with a c-section you are basically unable to look after yourself for a week or two, and still recovering 6 weeks + later.

Margot – I had a home birth with my second child. It’s not for everyone, but I’m really glad I did it.

Maree – Thank you for stopping here for the first time! It’s a shame you had to give up breast feeding (another of the issues I think is very important!) Thank you for explaining some of the difficulties people who’ve had a c-section have to go through.

Great post!
And I certainly agree with you: if there is no medical reason, a natural childbirth is the natural option 🙂
I have three children and remember their births as near-miracles (not painless, no, but nevertheless great experiences I will never forget).

Great post! One med-free birth here (posterior positioned!) and one of the things I’m most proud of in my life. I totally agree about the importance of educating yourself beforehand. My favorite books when pregnant were The Birth Partner (brought this one to the hospital with me!) and (for more of a fun read but also empowering and showing this CAN be done) Baby Catcher: Chronicles of a Modern Midwife. Love that you posted this as your topic.

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