Women preparing to birth their babies should be as informed as possible about their choices, and then "back" themselves in their decision. I'd also suggest that some women preparing for labour should cover their ears with their hands and loudly sing "la la la" whenever birthing opinions are offered. Where birth is concerned, anyone who's done it has got an opinion, and if you don't want to hear it ... well, I've offered my advice on what to do.
IMO not enough women trust themselves in their decisions where labour is concerned. But I think that any woman who "goes with the flow" and relies on the Ob to do the right thing, is doing herself a disservice. Obs are great whenever there's a problem with birth, but they're a bit too handy at offering alternatives to a natural birth too. I think Obs are valued people in the medical profession, and God knows they have saved many mums and babies (ditto c-sections) ... but how many Obs are happy to sit back during the birth of a baby and let mum take control of her birth? Not too many, I'd suspect. They're paid lots of money, so it stands to reason they want to DO something during a birth. My Ob was a lovely person and did show support for my drug-free, intervention free plan ... but she couldn't help but add her medical two cents worth during our consults - and why shouldn't she, it was what I was paying her for. I decided to keep on going to my Ob, but realised early on that I had to stick to my guns and follow my head and heart where my intention for a natural birth was concerned. And yep, there was a bit of ear covering and "la la la" going on for me.
As the thread has gone beyond the questions posed in the OP, I'd like to add my experience. I was adamant I wanted a drug-free, intervention free birth. For whatever reason, Dh and I chose to go with an Ob and a private hospital (mainly because of the years I've been paying into priv. health insurance). Yes, some women at work said "go with the drugs blah blah" ... you can imagine what I did (hands on ears, etc). Anyway, to achieve the birth we wanted, DH and I did our best to inform ourselves, including a hypnobirthing course and lots or reading on natural birthing. The night I birthed my son, I went to hospital for a check after my waters had broken, and ignoring advice, I went home again to establish labour (at the time I was less than 2cm dilated but all was perfectly A-OK with bub and I). Just three hours later I returned to hospital and within 90 mins DS was born - no drugs, no intervention. All the Ob did was tell me how to push properly (in that, she did me an excellent service!). My point ... I backed myself. I felt if I'd stayed in hospital at less than 2cm dilated, I was in "their" hands ... not mine. As it happened, my son's heart rate dropped a bit during contractions, if I'd stayed in hospital and been constantly monitored, I honestly think I would've ended up with intervention - much against my better judgement. I heard afterwards that it's perfectly normal for bub's heart rates to drop during contractions.
My natural birth was a wonderful experience and I'm forever amazed that I was up and walking around just a half hour or so after the birth. Trusting my body, and going home to establish my labour helped me achieve my aim. Look, there is a place for intervention, drugs and c-sections ... of course there is. But the vast majority of we women were built to birth babies. Not all, but most. Unfortunately a large percentage don't trust their bodies to birth effectively.
Sorry, I've written a thesis. This is such an emotive topic, but I personally feel there are too many stories of horrid birthing experiences, birthing "pain", the need for drugs in birth etc etc. No wonder it scares/unnerves many women. Those of us who have had a good, natural birthing experience are keen to shout it from the rooftops in the hope that we can empower other women to give natural birthing a red hot shot.
To Sophiebear ... you're probably exasperated and maddened by the controversy your OP has caused on BB. However, your curiosity should be appeased to some extent. But if nothing else, I hope you can understand why so many have chosen to comment. Natural, drugs, c-section ... whatever the case, make your birth yours and own it.
Andie
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