My dream birth has never happened, but I have been incredibly blessed to have six children, all via c-section. My cesareans were not the birth experiences I have wanted, but my children and I were both ok at the end of them and that’s the most important aspect. Due to a bone disorder, my body will not deliver a child the natural way. That makes me grateful for the day and age I live in, since I would not have survived my first baby if I lived centuries ago.
I kind of have a “thing” for helping women make the most of their c-sections. I have a whole list of things to request to help make the surgery less stressful and more special.
But… c-sections are still not what I’d like them to be: a birth experience.
Until now.
When a sweet friend sent me the following video, I wept. This family/woman centered c-section is as close to a natural birth as a woman can have in the OR.
Through an amazing series of events that began months ago, this kind of c-section took place in our little city last week. I can’t believe it, really, but it’s true. A woman whose first delivery was terrible was able to have her second child in this loving and special, yet still surgically safe way.
I’ll share my love/hate relationship with c-sections at a later date, but for today… join me in celebrating and praying for more of these kinds of birth experiences for women who have to have c-sections, won’t you?
I know it’s almost 12 minutes, but you will be so touched by watching this alternative type of c-section.
If you had to have a c-section, would you opt for this style?
{Want to learn how to advocate for this kind of c-section? How to prepare for a c-section (whether you are planning one or not)? How to make the most of your c-section and have a more natural & personalized experience? Buy my eBook! Make the Most of Your C-Section: Prepare for a More Natural & Personalized Birth!}
{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you for sharing that. I really enjoyed it. I haven’t had a c-section myself (yet) but have several friends who have. I am saddened often by the “large family/homeschooling” culture that can often make mothers feel like failures if they do not go completely natural. Just last night I was being pressured by a friend to do a home birth; even after explaining I had no desire and my husband is very much not in favor of home births as a choice for our family.
I started my reading plan again today by the way. I’m starting in the NT though. I’ve started over in the OT so many times I almost have Genesis memorized. Thank you for encouraging the “re-do.”
Yes, there is all kinds of pressure in the “large family & homeschooling” world. Lots of it against Scripture, including the natural birth pressure. I’ve had to deal with it many times. It makes me sad the lack of grace extended.
Good for you! I think some of the OT may be hard because of what you said. I was almost like, “Genesis… again!” God pressed on my heart he has something for me in there this week, so I decided to stick with it. I like your starting with the NT idea! Way to go! Make it work for you, don’t work for the schedule!
(Just FYI, I’m still reading your blog, but can’t seem to post comments) hugs!
After having two awful c-sections, these type of videos make me so happy.
I’d love to read a post about your love/hate relationship with c-sections
I’m hoping that I don’t have to think about another c-section, and that Z will be born naturally (and at home) despite how stubborn he is about getting here.
If I did have to have another c-section I would probably need to be sedated, my first two c-sections were so awful that it makes me sick to my stomach to even think of the possibility of having another. I’d probably have a PTSD attack and run screaming from the OR. (only slightly joking.)
Oh, no! Wow, sounds like this option would be much better.
Ok, will do a post soon on my love/hate relationship with c/s. Your wish is my command.
Praying Z shows today!
What happened to the post on love/hate relationship with c/s?
[Btw, Z was born 3 days later! I can't believe it's been so long, and yet those days seemed to be dragging.]
Girl, you’re good! Ok, ok… I’ll start in the lineup.
I thought about it the other day and went on a hunt to see if you had posted it and if I had just missed it
Can’t wait!
I needed this! I too have had six babes all via c-section! I would do it all again but I would love it even more if it happened this way! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Our last baby was born via c-section (as will this one I’m pregnant with now) and it was a great experience (I was able to hold the baby while they were sewing me up on the operating table), but Mark and I have been talking about requesting that they hand the baby directly to us rather than the wrapping and suctioning away from us. I would also LOVE for them to delay clamping the umbilical cord (something we requested last time) and allow me to see the baby being born.
Thank you so much for sharing this. I’m absolutely going to be sharing with my husband and OB.
I too am thankful for living in a day and age that they are able to do c-sections when they are necessary.
Kimberly,
The LORD was so evident in getting this going here in our city, but I have hope for you and so many others. I cry every time I think of it. I would encourage you to share it with your OB, an anesthesiologist, and the head of the OB dept. Those were the key players here. The catalyst was the midwife I showed it to and she was so excited.
The best part is how the video is not “emotionally” charged, but laid out factually for the doctors who might consider it.
I can give you the name of the OB here if you want to pass it on to your OB. There are at least two more scheduled, but hopefully many more! The entire OB/OR team was so glad to have done it.
Mindy
I loved it. I have had 3 c-sections, the first was an emergency after laboring for 19+ hours and no baby. My subsequent csecs. were very scary for me, I remembered the first time although neither of the last 2 were as bad as the 1st. I experienced a lot of guilt that my body would not do what “it was made to do” and some harsh words from family members about “giving up” and then harsh words for scheduling subsequent csecs. I have grown up a lot and matured about those things but always felt cheated. I think the above csec. would have been such a help to me, emotionally! I loved it.
Thank you so much for sharing this!! I have had 2 c-sections, and while I could not be happier to have 2 healthy boys, the one thing I’ve wanted with having kids I’ve not been able to experience… which is holding my baby right after delivery. I just told my husband about this post and said that if we ever have another baby, I’m going to push to have a delivery like this one!
I have had all four children by c-section and I love this method. Helps a woman to truly experience the birth of their child. I missed out on that with my c-sections. Great video!
Thank you SO much…from a mother of 8 who had her first c/s two wks ago…
A. You have to know how much I love to even TRY to watch that. Whew…I was scared and watched through my fingers. B. I am SHOCKED that I loved it and would do it. That says A LOT b/c I’m the sort who’d rather be knocked out completely rather than be awake for a surgery. They actually make it seem vaginal-like. I’d do it! I’d do it!
YEA! I just knew you would, friend. Thank you for watching.
Praying for another blessing and the gift of this kind of c-section!
Thank you for sharing this. I am facing my 5th unwanted c-section the end of June. All 4 previous have been pretty terrible in their own unique ways…(too high of an epidural causing difficulty breathing, violent surgeon, inadequate anesthesia, and the last being under unwanted general anesthesia
) I feel like I have missed so very much and it’s so unfair. 
Oh, Becca!
I’m so sorry that your c-sections have been so terrible! It is amazing how scarring they can be.
Would you mind sharing the date of your c/s? I would love to pray for you on that morning!
and now:
Dear LORD, I lift Becca up to you. I thank you for surgeries that allow her to have her babies, Father. We truly are grateful. We also thank you for these precious, precious children. Abba, I ask that you intervene and make this 5th c-section totally different. Let it be a healing experience for Becca. Let her feel your Presence and your mercy in a sweet, sweet way. I pray for a kind anesthesiologist, a gentle surgeon, sweet nurses, and little moments that make the surgery a birth experience. In Christ’s Name, Amen.
June 25th unless babe decides to get things started sooner. Thank you.
I have only had one section and I’ve had 2 VBACs. My first was horrible and I didn’t need it, too bad I found out years later. I did have a midwife and she coerced me into the section. The OB who told me I’d never go into labor said during the section “oh I guess if we had left alone you would have gone into labor” my baby had to be pulled out of the birth canal as she was becoming engaged
that is only the tip of the iceberg. I pray to never have another section if the Lord blesses us again.
This does bring back memories and I do hope that C-Sections will one day be more like this. I’ve had 2 C-Sections 16 and 11 years ago; one being an emergency and both being early deliveries with there own problems. I too feel that the birth of my children were not the experiences I wanted. I also feel that I have missed out on something so wonderful as having a natural birth. Sometimes it is hard to see the Grace when your birth plans were not what you wanted. I do feel that the doctors should prepare women better for c-sections and all the emotions that will follow because they are not a natural delivery. As women our bodies will do what comes natural and the way God designed them, but in a c-section and especially in an emergency your are not prepared and one short film on c-section delivery is not enough. After support should be a must even for christian mothers because your faith can be challenged do to the thoughts and feelings you may experience after. With me I felt that I had failed and had missed out on an experience that God had wonderfully designed my body to do and sorry to say even anger was felt. I do hope the way c-sections are done will change all around the world and be more like this one. I too would like to hear your story about your love hate relationship about c-sections. Blessings and Grace to all.
Thank you for this! I can’t remember how I got to your blog but am I ever thankful that I did! I’ve had 5 c-sections with some being ok experiences and some not so great. If we are blessed with number 6 this is exactly what I will ask for! Beautiful (:
Can I just say, this is exactly what I’ve been searching for! Thank you so much for presenting this option. After one emerg c-section and one elective, I’m not scheduled for my 3rd in 2 weeks. Right now I’m finding myself very frustrated and discouraged by our dated procedures here in small-city Canada. I’m not looking forward to being treated as though I’m having my appendix removed rather than bringing life into the world and want to do everything I can to ensure I don’t struggle with PPD after this birth. I am going to show my OB this video and an article that I found which is great for practitioners, but was wondering if you have any tips or advice on kickstarting this kind of change in our hospital. It seems everyone is forcing me to have things done the same way simply because that’s the way it’s always been done. Praying I find favor with the drs and nurses involved, that c-sections can be less of a procedure happening TO you and more of an experience that INCLUDES you! Thanks again!
Shari,
I’m so glad you found me.
Ok, first step print this out: http://gratefulforgrace.com/2012/06/family-centered-c-section-an-obs-story/
Secondly, pray like crazy.
Thirdly,, bring the video to your doctor in a loving and hopeful way.
Next, if your doctor says no, ask why and for explanations.
Lastly, ask for an appointment with the head of the OB department at the hospital.
Finally, buy my book! It has lots of other info and tips and help. http://gratefulforgrace.com/2012/06/make-the-most-of-your-c-section/
It may be too late in the game for you to get this if you only have 2 weeks, but you can hopefully get some of it! Feel free to email me.
mindy(at)gmail(dot)com
hugs!