1. Please give me your full name, how you want to be identified (full name, first name only, anon, etc.), your general location, number of children, number of cesareans, number of VBACs, anything else pertinent to your story.
I prefer Kim. I live in Idaho, but was born and raised in Texas, and had 4 of my six children there. I never had a c-section. It was never even considered for me. Four of the six were either induced or augmented. A nightmare unto itself. But still no drugs- natural otherwise.
2. Did (do) you ever believe that you might have a cesarean? When did you first think that a cesarean was a possibility for your birth? NA
3. When did your practitioner bring up a discussion about cesarean? Before labor? During labor? Was it a surprise? NA
4. If you had a cesarean, do you think you could have done anything to prevent it? NA
5. If you had a cesarean, did you or your baby experience complications? If yes, which ones and how did you feel about this? NA
6. If you had one good piece of advice for pregnant women or women considering having a baby, what would it be when it comes to cesarean prevention? EDUCATE YOURSELF!
7. What is one sure way to have a cesarean? Let the interventions begin- I think drugs have an effect, as does the propensity for hospitals to have mom lying on her back with moniters. These are not necessary...
8. Did you try to prevent a cesarean? If so, how? (Did you switch doctors or midwives? Did you pay out of pocket for a homebirth? Did you stay home longer than you normally would have? Hire a doula? Stuff like that...) NA
9. Advice for pregnant women in talking to those offering birth horror stories? Tell the person tha each birth is an individual experience and that you prefer not to hear stories that might cause you to expect a bad experience. FEAR is the cause of most problems.
10. Where did you get a positive view of birth? Where should others turn? I was 18 and more or less alone when I had my first child. I was lucky to have a quick labor and delivery. I was not aware of choices, but I was too far along to get an epidural or anything by the time I reached the hospital. Although it was the 80's and I was subject to the whole enema, shaving, and episiotomy thing, my labor progressed naturally, and it was not a horrible experience. I knew what to expect with subsequent births, and I educated myself.
11. If you have had a VBAC, what resistance did you have? (If any.)
12. What is the hardest part of having a VBAC?
13. What was pregnancy like for you? What advice do you have in general for pregnant women? Feel free to add stories or quotes here. The first 14 weeks or so are full of nausea and vomiting for me. After that, I experience a high unmatched by anything else (with the occasional mood swing). My advise is to be healthy, surround yourself with positive and healthy people, ask a lot of questions, and be prepared for anything. Stay active and educate yourself. Find a care provider who is open to questions and has a good base of knowledge about all aspects of pregnancy, childbirth, and post partum stuff. Stay connected to the earth, don't eschew spirituality- this is the most spiritual time in your life! Connect with loving people- find suport. Blessings!
14. Anything else you’d like to add?
Please send these questions with answers to me at: robin at robineliseweiss dot com
By kimmy d (not verified) at Thu, 10/25/2007 - 1:12pm |
Survey
1. Please give me your full name, how you want to be identified (full name, first name only, anon, etc.), your general location, number of children, number of cesareans, number of VBACs, anything else pertinent to your story.
I prefer Kim. I live in Idaho, but was born and raised in Texas, and had 4 of my six children there. I never had a c-section. It was never even considered for me. Four of the six were either induced or augmented. A nightmare unto itself. But still no drugs- natural otherwise.
2. Did (do) you ever believe that you might have a cesarean? When did you first think that a cesarean was a possibility for your birth? NA
3. When did your practitioner bring up a discussion about cesarean? Before labor? During labor? Was it a surprise? NA
4. If you had a cesarean, do you think you could have done anything to prevent it? NA
5. If you had a cesarean, did you or your baby experience complications? If yes, which ones and how did you feel about this? NA
6. If you had one good piece of advice for pregnant women or women considering having a baby, what would it be when it comes to cesarean prevention? EDUCATE YOURSELF!
7. What is one sure way to have a cesarean? Let the interventions begin- I think drugs have an effect, as does the propensity for hospitals to have mom lying on her back with moniters. These are not necessary...
8. Did you try to prevent a cesarean? If so, how? (Did you switch doctors or midwives? Did you pay out of pocket for a homebirth? Did you stay home longer than you normally would have? Hire a doula? Stuff like that...) NA
9. Advice for pregnant women in talking to those offering birth horror stories? Tell the person tha each birth is an individual experience and that you prefer not to hear stories that might cause you to expect a bad experience. FEAR is the cause of most problems.
10. Where did you get a positive view of birth? Where should others turn? I was 18 and more or less alone when I had my first child. I was lucky to have a quick labor and delivery. I was not aware of choices, but I was too far along to get an epidural or anything by the time I reached the hospital. Although it was the 80's and I was subject to the whole enema, shaving, and episiotomy thing, my labor progressed naturally, and it was not a horrible experience. I knew what to expect with subsequent births, and I educated myself.
11. If you have had a VBAC, what resistance did you have? (If any.)
12. What is the hardest part of having a VBAC?
13. What was pregnancy like for you? What advice do you have in general for pregnant women? Feel free to add stories or quotes here. The first 14 weeks or so are full of nausea and vomiting for me. After that, I experience a high unmatched by anything else (with the occasional mood swing). My advise is to be healthy, surround yourself with positive and healthy people, ask a lot of questions, and be prepared for anything. Stay active and educate yourself. Find a care provider who is open to questions and has a good base of knowledge about all aspects of pregnancy, childbirth, and post partum stuff. Stay connected to the earth, don't eschew spirituality- this is the most spiritual time in your life! Connect with loving people- find suport. Blessings!
14. Anything else you’d like to add?
Please send these questions with answers to me at: robin at robineliseweiss dot com