Yea actually some c-sections are very necessary. That is why women died during child birth a long time ago. My daughter was breech and had to have a scheduled c-section. My other daughter was born vaginally and I had an epidural and pitocen and it was GREAT!   See 65 other replies

I would have died without a c-section because the umbilical cord was wrapped around my neck, so don't tell me that c-sections are not necessary. Forcing a baby that is too big is not a good idea either it could seriously injure the mother or the baby.   See 65 other replies

I'm glad to hear that there are still OB's who are trying to help mothers acheive the births they want. I live in South Florida, and I think a large part of the problem is that we are a very letigious state, and OBs are afraid of losing their practices if anything goes wrong past 40 weeks. It might just be happening here sooner than in other places, but almost no OB in town will willingly let their patients wait longer than 40 weeks. I called around when I hit 40 weeks, and I would have had to drive to the next city, about an hour away if I wanted to wait. The implications of such a policy, and the tort issues at its base has just turned the hospital maternity system into a monster in my eyes. I'm afraid for all of the women who go in and blindly trust their doctors, and wind up with needless surgery and less ability to breastfeed and take care of their ewborns in the first few weeks. The only way I see to prevent it is to inform as many women as possible, and hope they spread the word! I wish I could have my naive mindset that authority figures like doctors had the best interest of their patients in mind, but I know there are other guiding forces, and I can'rt say that if I were in their shoes, and it was my livelihood at stake. Thanks for the support, and I'll work a bit on the bluntness.   See 65 other replies

I was at 41 weeks. And I actually was induced because of a problem my son was having. But my doctor and I had talked about it and she had said it was not standard procedure for her to offer inductions. She actually explicitly told me that the reason so many of her patients got induced was because they insisted on it themselves, and since she works for a hospital (not a private practice), she kinda of has to do it to some extent. She was actually very pleased that I wasn't demanding one. I was very pleasantly surprised that she was so open about it. She said she wished we could just let it go til he was ready. It was actually my own body's problems that were putting him in danger.
It's really mice to have a doctor that listens to you and doesn't push things on you that you don't need. She actually has never even suggested that he go on antibiotics, and she was totally fine with any decisions I made regarding vaccinations. Isn't that awesome?!
Anyway, you're doing great by trying to get people to have a more hands-on approach to their birthing processes. I actually wish more people would help educate women on their options; so many women believe that it's not their place to question what the doctor says. You're very blunt about what you're saying, but you're also obviously educated and just trying to help other women. Thanks a lot and keep at it! =)   See 65 other replies

My guess is that you were lucky enough to give birth spontaneously before 40 weeks. If you were like the majority of us, who didn't give birth until after 40 weeks, you'd have been pretty darned lucky if induction was not pushed very heavily on you, and with it, a whole host of needless intervention.   See 65 other replies

People are accusing you all of being "smug" and "self-superior" because the way you are giving your information. Try just putting the info out there rather than portray your self as saying, "This is right and you're wrong". Everyone has different comfort levels, and maybe some people aren't as comfy with being as exposed or vulnerable as others. I for one would rather not see someone breast feeding on tv, and no, it's not because the media or anyone else has taught me that. I'm just more conservative.   See 65 other replies

Bobby, you make a very valid point. To the Negative Nancys out there: Instead of all this criticism, I'd like to read suggestions on how the US can take steps to develop an integrated maternity system utilizing both the OB-GYN and midwifery models of care. Doctors and midwives are not equal options--rather, the professions are complementary.
In 1977, OB-GYNs and Pediatricians saved my life. My mother experienced a "high risk" pregnancy resulting in pre-term labor. I was born at 32 weeks gestation, weighing 2lbs, 9oz. I spent 6 weeks in NICU. Thank God for modern medicine.
In 2003, I was a healthy first-time-mom who experienced pregnancy without any complications. I chose to plan a homebirth with 2 highly skilled midwives in attendance and a backup doctor on-call. My oldest daughter was born in the comfort of our home, weighing 9lbs, 2oz.
My 2nd homebirth was in 2006. We employed the same "birth team" of midwives and a backup doc. That pregnancy and birth was more challenging than my first. I honestly believe if it hadn't been for my birth team's willingness to work together, our outcome would not have been so positive. At 37 weeks gestation, my youngest daughter joined us weighing 8lbs, 12oz.
My point is that each birth is unique. It would be beneficial if people stopped painting maternity care with the broad strokes of short sighted generalizations. Let's support one another's choices. Yes. There is room for improvement in America's maternity system. However, alienating moms with divisive language and discrediting the skills of modern physicians isn't helpful.   See 3 other replies