Big Babies = Cesarean Sections

My stomach lurched when I read this in a news story today:

http://www.kdhnews.com/news/story.aspx?s=29508

So, when I got the call on Nov. 13 at 1:30 p.m., it was no surprise to hear my mother say Ben checked in at a whopping 9 pounds (don't worry gals, Ben came into the world by way of cesarean section at 12:37 p.m.).

Yes, don't worry gals!!! Don't become horrified over the idea that a **HUGE** 9 lb baby came out of a woman's va-jay-jay, hoo ha, pwerta....ah hem, VAGINA. Lord no!!! Who would want that?!?! There's no way! That's an appaling idea!

When did nine pound babies become monsters that required extraction through the abdominal wall? When did nine pound babies become un-birthable? When did it become a societal "joke" that women wouldn't be so stupid as to deliver a "large" baby in any other way than the on-demand birth way?

Last Sunday, November 16th, was my HBAC baby's birthday. She turned three. My baby turned three! She was 10.10lbs, 23" long, and was posterior. It infuriated me that everyone's FIRST reaction when her weight was told, was "You had a c-section, right?"

I got enormous satisfaction by telling them that she was born at home, onto the very bed she was created in. Also, that she was a VBAC baby. That my cesarean baby was pulled out of my body, because my bastard OB told me that he would be "too big" to deliver safely. He was only 8.8lbs...and spent 9 days in the NICU because of severe respiratory distress ( i.e., wasn't READY ). I didn't know any better.

So women...be offended. This article plays up the social stigma that women are INCAPABLE of delivering a large baby. We are, in fact, more than capable! We are WOMEN. We are made to birth. Whether the baby be 7lbs or 11lbs...we are made to birth.

And in honor of my baby's birthday, here is my MONSTER of a HUGE baby now :

The U.S. is failing women and babies

The USA received a "D" overall on the March of Dimes' first state-by-state "Premature Birth Report Card," released today.

Hospitals need to review the reasons for labor inductions and cesarean sections performed before 39 weeks' gestation. Studies show that some are scheduled early for the doctor's and/or mother's convenience, not medical reasons.

And....

With 15.6 percent of all babies born early, South Carolina got an F on the March of Dimes' first national prematurity report card released Wednesday.

Medical conditions such as high blood pressure, unnecessary cesarean births and the growing use of fertility treatments resulting in multiple babies also play a role.

Hmm. And....

Wisconsin has the nation’s 12th highest rate of premature births.

The March of Dimes says 11.4 percent of the Badger State’s babies are born prior to their normal term of 37 weeks. The group has given the state a grade of “D” for its prevention efforts.

One of every 12 Wisconsin births are late pre-termers, coming anywhere from 34 to 36 weeks. They’re caused by early labor inductions and Cesarean sections, according to the group.

Anyone notice a common theme?

Oooh, I do I do!! It's the ever-so-trendy and now, accepted, on-demand inductions and cesareans. Well heck, if we have On-Demand TV, why *shouldn't* we have on-demand births?

Oh yeah...the baby.

People are forgetting about the babies in all of this. Nobody remembers what pregnancy is about. Nobody remembers that the baby's health is supposed to come first, not the convenience of the mother or doctor. Not because mom is done being pregnant. Not because the doctor has a vacation planned. The BABY is supposed to be the priority.

Studies show that inductions ( that often lead to cesareans anyway ) and cesareans are HARMFUL for babies. Other people would have you think otherwise. I actually ran across a blog recently where the woman ( a journalist ) is brightening up the idea of elective cesareans, by comparing the risk of things like "Episiotomy risks in Planned Vaginal Delivery, versus Planned Cesarean Delivery."

No kidding? The risk of episiotomy is higher when having a vaginal birth? Well knock me over with a feather.

And things like "Instrumental delivery in PVD, versus PCD." What's hysterical about this one is, a good number of cesarean deliveries are facilitated by a vacuum extractor.

The thing that I noticed about her page was that she only compared two options. Average, United States hospital planned vaginal birth, to a planned cesarean. Last time I checked, there were a few options in between. Like advocating for yourself. Like avoiding interventions such as inductions, epidurals, drugs. Like speaking up and saying NO to an episiotomy, and NO to delivering in a lithotomy position. Or like staying OUT of the hospital to begin with. ;)

But that's not what we're talking about, she said to me. We're talking about the average woman who gives birth. Ah yes, you mean idiots then, right? ( And I am speaking to my former self in that category, before anyone gets their panties in a wad )

The sad part is, women will look at her skewed statistics, her misguided conclusions, and believe that elective cesarean should be a perfectly fine option for all, and is in fact in many cases, safer than a planned vaginal birth.

Hmm.

And yet, there is overwhelming evidence that says exactly the opposite. But what is more accessible? The media showing elective cesareans. The blogs that have incredibly erroneous information. The general attitude towards birth ( when did women become so disempowered? ) in the mainstream? "I could NEVER do it without an epidural, I'm not a hero.", "I'm done being pregnant. I just want to hold my baby."

It's selfishness. And that selfishness is landing more and more babies in the NICU. Is that what you want, ladies? Do you want your baby to end up in the NICU because you couldn't do your research? Because you couldn't hold out another few weeks of pregnancy? Because you couldn't refuse an induction or an epidural?

Is this what you want to wake up out of a cesarean drug haze to?




It's what I woke up to. Noah was "term". He was 8 1/2 lbs. But HE WAS NOT READY. I allowed a very smooth talking OB scare me into a cesarean, after going on and on about shoulder dystocia, broken collar bones, nerve damage, and cerebral palsy. I was not informed. And my decision was NOT with INFORMED consent. I was never told of the risks of an elective cesarean. And I was too brainwashed into believing that doctors have your best interest in mind.

And then he spoke of being able to get back to his office in time for his furniture delivery, and office remodel....as he stood over my open belly.

Elective cesareans are harmful. They are not safe. They are not okay. And I am NOT for women being able to choose this, and put the life of their baby in danger.

And doctors need to held responsible for coercion, scheduling out of convenience, and scare tactics. Because they're harming women and babies. Whatever happened to the Hippocratic Oath?

Making History

I am trying to figure out how I feel about the election results. To be perfectly honest, I am not much of a political person. It's never been something I've desired to follow very easily, so in turn, I don't understand a lot of it.

I knew that as a Christian, I had heard a lot of bad things about Obama. I also had mixed feelings because as much of a dirty hound as Clinton was, his Democratic time in office had us in a good economic period, that was all shot down once Bush got into office. It was interesting. Sure, we have a guy with seemingly better morals, but we came damn near to another Great Depression. :sigh:

So today I decided to take a look at what all of the fuss is, aside from the Pro-Choice views that I vehemently disagree with. Particularly partial birth and botched abortion views that Obama holds.

In my searching, I found it quite odd that Mr. Obama does not hold his hand over his heart for the National Anthem, or for the Flag Salute. I have seen flack back and forth that it doesn't matter whether or not a person holds their hand over their heart for this. ANY person, maybe. The guy who's running to be the next *leader* of our "great" country? Yes. I believe it's very important. It shows respect for our Country. For what this Country was founded upon. Maybe he doesn't respect that. Who knows. He's pro abortion, and he's pro gay marriage ( which I personally am against ). Part of me also wonders about his birth place as well. I'd like to believe that if that was never truly cleared up, that he would not have been ABLE to be a running candidate. However, I have not seen that he has shown proof of a Hawaii birth certificate, in my limited search. Anyone know about that one?

His prior pastor does bother me. A lot of the things that he has been recorded as saying, just doesn't sit right with me.

Then again, I didn't want McCain/Palin in the White House either. ;) LOL I was still really, really holding out for Ron Paul.

In all of this, I don't know what the next 4-8 years is going to hold. I do know that it's a scarier time as a parent. I had to gently explain what Prop 8 was to my nearly 7 year old daughter the other day. I didn't have to worry about that stuff when I was 7. My mom didn't have to worry about what I would learn in school, or what information I might bring home. I'm strongly reconsidering homeschooling.

I do know that I have been reminded that all we can do as Christians is pray. We are, according to the bible, to honor the people that God puts in authority, because ultimately it is His will. A friend that I have grown up with ( literally, friends for 22 years now ) wrote this so eloquently, and I am sharing with his permission :

No matter who a person voted for, despite their allegiance to the Republican, Democratic, Independent, or Green Party, Barack Obama has been elected the 44th President of the United States of America.

The Bible makes it clear that no matter what political affiliation I hold, my response to the ruling authorities is to be the same:

"Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed." (Romans 13:1, 7)

"Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor." (1 Peter 2:13-14, 16-17).

My ultimate allegiance is to God, my Eternal Emperor. He has deemed to give certain humans power and authority and my response should be the same no matter who that person is. Right now, that person is President Obama. He has my respect and honor.