One of our birthday rituals is to retell the story of each boy’s birth which they never tire of hearing and which we never tire of telling - and every year it is just like yesterday.

I can’t speak for where you are, but the hospital culture here in Australia, while still adhering to minimising risk, is moving much, much more to allowing women and their families to exercise greater control in the process which in turn only helps to minimise risk anyway. Win, win!

Thanks for visiting, Karen C. (*love* goingjesus!) And thanks for the blessings.

It is interesting, having had a rather straightforward, unmedicated birth the first time around, a birth that I had prepared and planned for (which is not the same thing as “managing” it by any stretch!), I actually feel less rigid this time, and less sure of myself in certain ways, because I know how much is out of one’s control. I am prepared to accept what comes, to a certain extent: I am willing to submit to the process, and that includes submitting to whatever becomes medically necessary, including surgical birth. Not only am I willing to do this, I know that I must do this. But I am not willing to submit to picayune hospital regulations that run counter to what will help me give birth. Not that I plan to get nasty with hospital staff either–that’s what’s so great about a rant, it allows you to vent

I was a breech baby born vaginally and had a dislocated hip as a result. You wouldn’t know this to see me now; you’re right that we don’t look at grown adults and say, “Whoa, clearly she’s the product of a traumatic/surgical/natural/whatever birth.” And for many people, this fact leads them to view birth as a purely utilitarian process. Of course it is that, but for me it’s just as much a rite of passage–and it is such, regardless of the particulars–unmedicated, epidural, C-section, whatever.

But then, I’m a pastor–I’m all about exploring the power of rites and rituals in our lives

This is sort of about thanksgiving - but sorta not. I have just read your ‘hospital rant’ (found you thru goingjesus)and just want to send you some reassuring words.

20, 18 & 15 years ago I also planned perfect, gentle, non-invasive, in control births. What I got was 3 hospital C sections. Am I distraught? No. Have there been any negative effects? No. Did we raise our 3 wonderful sons our way? Yes.

All these years later, how they arrived in this world matters not a fig. They are healthy, well-adjusted, warm, intelligent young men I am proud to call mine (albeit briefly). Not because of the circumstances of their births but because of all the factors that have gone into them since. Parenting is not about that one moment of experience, it is a lifetime. So, so many experiences to plan and share.

Try not to get defensive/offensive trying to create a brief experience. Go with the flow, if things work naturally, great. If intervention is needed, be thankful it is there. Hospital staff (especially ob/gyn) actually love their work and love every birth they are a part of. Speak up but speak gently and you will be listened to. If you have to, work with them and they will work with you. God bless your baby and its birth.

I am a hospital birth type of person and I still feel the way about the things you mentioned. However, with baby 1 and 2 (and the upcoming 3rd) I have been fortunate to have great nurses that did not complain when I wouldn’t wear the gown, ate food from outside the hospital, etc. Of course, now that I have bragged my 3rd delivery will probably be noisy, uncomfortable, and while I am famished.

I sincerely hope that you have a positive experience also.

My first live birth was almost 22 years ago (Litigator). No enema, no shave, but fetal monitor because the labor was long and there were some decelerations. It was my last delivery with a male ob for a whole bunch of too-icky-to-tell reasons. I had a midwife happily two years later for Stonemason and two years after that for StrongOpinions. Relatively quick and painless deliveries with no anesthesia, happy breast-feeding babies, less stress all around.

Things are SO much better now (at least by my observation when my step-grandbabies were born), but still and all, you’re on target about so many things about in-hospital births. Particularly about no food, if you’re anticipating a no-problem delivery. Gee whiz, it’s called labor because it’s hard work. You need some nutrition, for heaven’s sake.

You tell ‘em, sister. Do it YOUR way.

Until I remember the pain…and that whole pooping on the baby’s head scenario…

My dear blog sisters, thanks for making my day!

RM, nice to see the re-emergence of Uber-mom, I remember her well from those special prenatal days in seminary. (((Monster hugs))) Do what you need to do for you and yours!

it was the hormones…yeah, the hormones, that was it.

( sorry if i offended…truly. but i really did mean it at the time. )

anyway, someday i’ll tell you all about the birth of the third baby. heh.

ps…well, this is a little embarassing to admit, but since i respectfully declined the enema with the girlchild, unfortunately as she was delivered i…uh…well, i kinda…ummm…pooped on her head.

that’s why i call her my little shithead and why she has never forgiven me.

pps…yes songbird, you may indeed shed a tear for that fact.

my oldest is 23, so i think i’ll just go cry a friggin’ BUCKET.

*sigh*