Carrying a child in her womb and giving birth is said to be one of the most amazing things a woman will every experience. Women who are pregnant have some idea (if not a full-fledged birth plan) of how they would like the birthing process to progress. It is when authoritative figures, such as obstetricians, step in and begin executing their own idea of a birth plan that women begin to lose sight of their well thought out expectations.
Giving birth is something that a woman will never forget. Where they were when their water broke, the ride to the hospital, the name of their doctor, the number of visitors, every detail of their newborn, and, of course, how they felt throughout the entire event.
Her request for a water birth being fulfilled or getting the epidural she hadn’t really intended on having, which left her to the confines of the hospital bed, giving birth in the most unnatural position for humans; lying on her back. They remember just as much about the bad as they do the good. Feeling in the moment that she has no control over her intentions is a feeling that she will carry with her for as long as she lives.
To me the feeling of being in control of the birthing process can be stripped away once the obstetrician enters the picture. If he feels like the woman isn't dilating quickly enough he orders Pitocin, or some variation of this contraction inducing hormone. If she complains about the intense pain caused by the artificial hormones, an epidural is ordered.
Now, she does still have the option not to have an epidural, but it’s much harder when you are in excruciating pain. And from what I’ve been told by friends, Pitocin makes it much worse than if you give birth without it.
The epidural can cause the contractions to slow down, so more Pitocin is administered. This back and forth with the drugs will begin to put the baby under unnecessary stress, causing the fetal heart rate to drop. Once this happens, the doctor orders an emergency c-section to save the baby. Does anyone else see the irony in this?
So, not only could this emergency c-section have been avoided, but now the mother is left with a birth plan that she didn’t get to use. At some point, she was no longer in control of her intentions. Part of her autonomy had been taken from her.
Giving birth is something that a woman will never forget. Where they were when their water broke, the ride to the hospital, the name of their doctor, the number of visitors, every detail of their newborn, and, of course, how they felt throughout the entire event.
Her request for a water birth being fulfilled or getting the epidural she hadn’t really intended on having, which left her to the confines of the hospital bed, giving birth in the most unnatural position for humans; lying on her back. They remember just as much about the bad as they do the good. Feeling in the moment that she has no control over her intentions is a feeling that she will carry with her for as long as she lives.
To me the feeling of being in control of the birthing process can be stripped away once the obstetrician enters the picture. If he feels like the woman isn't dilating quickly enough he orders Pitocin, or some variation of this contraction inducing hormone. If she complains about the intense pain caused by the artificial hormones, an epidural is ordered.
Now, she does still have the option not to have an epidural, but it’s much harder when you are in excruciating pain. And from what I’ve been told by friends, Pitocin makes it much worse than if you give birth without it.
The epidural can cause the contractions to slow down, so more Pitocin is administered. This back and forth with the drugs will begin to put the baby under unnecessary stress, causing the fetal heart rate to drop. Once this happens, the doctor orders an emergency c-section to save the baby. Does anyone else see the irony in this?
So, not only could this emergency c-section have been avoided, but now the mother is left with a birth plan that she didn’t get to use. At some point, she was no longer in control of her intentions. Part of her autonomy had been taken from her.
I have heard women talk about how much pain that is experienced in childbirth. Could it be that some pregnant women resort to drugs easily because they do not know what to realistically expect from labor associated with childbirth? Kind of like getting “psyche out” before the big game.
ReplyDeleteMost painkillers that I know of have side effects. Once they commit to using drugs, it is impossible for the woman to participate in the birthing. If they cannot participate, then C-sections and forceps are the only alternatives.
In our out-of-shape society, most women carrying a child do not exercise to keep themselves in the best physical condition possible. In an earlier time, walking and bending down to urinate strengthened hip and leg muscles. These muscles are used extensively during childbirth.
As reason #238 stated: I am glad I am not a woman.
Thank you for your comment Three D's. Yes! I like your analogy of "getting 'psyched out' before the big game" because that’s probably the best way to describe it.
ReplyDeleteOn the big screen women in labor are depicted as hysterical and screaming in pain. This is typically not the case. Yes, labor is painful and different for every woman. But I feel like we plant these seeds of fear in woman, especially in the younger generations. Unless there is open, honest, and informed discourse with all women, I suppose we can't expect them to not have fear.
Your point about the importance of being in good physical condition during pregnancy and birth is a good one as well. The pelvic floor muscle is rendered virtually useless when giving birth while lying down. Walking and bending down are actually encouraged during childbirth, as it helps the baby get through the birth canal by allowing the mothers hips to adjust as needed. Ironic, no?
I wonder if the idea that a baby has to be born while the woman is lying down is a product of our addiction to the idea of comfort. The mother is obviously in pain, so I think it is our natural impulse to want to relieve some of that pain. Most people think of lying down as a comfortable position. But just think about it; the baby is used to the mother being in an upright position every time she walks, so it can't be unhealthy. Also, I think the movement might actually help "massage" the baby through the birth canal by shifting it and letting the baby "fall" little bit by little bit. But, what do I know? I've only been on the "escape" end of the birth canal.
ReplyDelete