Birth & Beyond: C/S sub-forum?

[AnditheBee]

Hi,
Just wondering if it would be possible to set up a cesarean sub-forum in Birth & Beyond? There are always c/s support threads and questions being asked in the B&B forum, and I thought it might make the info more organized for moms who have had c/sec's, are seeking info on how to avoid them, or must schedule one for whatever reason.

Thanks!

Andi Beard

[Cynthia Mosher]

I think B&B is a good general forum that serves the purpose well. A section in the resources subforum might be good for specific points to info and resources as weell as existing threads about cesarean experience and advice.

[Drummer's Wife]

Originally Posted by AndiB

Hi,
Just wondering if it would be possible to set up a cesarean sub-forum in Birth & Beyond? There are always c/s support threads and questions being asked in the B&B forum, and I thought it might make the info more organized for moms who have had c/sec's, are seeking info on how to avoid them, or must schedule one for whatever reason.

Thanks!

Andi Beard

I agree, it's a good idea There are threads but not a specific spot for them.

[BensMom]

I would like to see one as well. I think a lot of people are afraid to start thread about c/s because they arent really the norm around here. Having a safe spot (beside the support thread) to post questions and concerns would be wonderful. The support thread gets a lot of posts and it would be nice to have something like that, but able to separate different questions/comments by subject, like in a normal subforum.

Maybe you can combine it with VBAC, since most people there have had a c/s.

[mackenziesmama]

I think it'd be great to have a special spot for surgical deliveries. I've been trying without success to find help dealing with my unwanted births but since I don't know much about getting around the forums and my computer is really slow, it'd be really nice to have everything organized in one spot. I'd really like to get help. Thanks!

[Monkeyfeet]

It would be very helpful! The c/s thread gets buried a lot and if I need a question answered it may take awhile if posted there.

[AnditheBee]

Originally Posted by Cynthia Mosher

I think B&B is a good general forum that serves the purpose well. A section in the resources subforum might be good for specific points to info and resources as weell as existing threads about cesarean experience and advice.

Well, I think that a subforum inside the VBAC subforum would still be a good idea, given that there seems to be some interest here (and probably more from people who haven't posted or didn't see this thread--personally I never read this forum, only those directly related to my interests, so I imagine there's even more interest, esp. among the VBAC mamas...). I think it's also important that newcomers to the site have a place to look for specific, real-world info on how and why to avoid having a c/sec in the first place. I also think that post-cesarean issues and the hope of VBAC is probably one of the specific things that can draw newcomers to the MDC forums. It is the one place where people will truly understand why some mamas feel guilty, or depressed, or traumatized over having had a c/sec; and it's the one place where people will understand why they don't just have another one without the increasingly difficult process of trying a VBAC.

However, if the mods and admins don't want to start a new subforum, perhaps an archive of past c/sec threads could be made inside the VBAC subforum? (Or even in Birth & Beyond, or wherever!) Just so we could sift through the info that's already been posted here, at least. I still get frustrated with the huge "c-sec support" threads, though, because they contain so many different topics. If you're searching for specific info, the answer might be there but you have to read the entire thread to find out. Few of us have that kind of time! But at least it would be better than no area specifically designated for that, because c/sec threads end up in "I'm Pregnant", "Birth & Beyond", "VBAC" and even sometimes forums like the midwife/doula area or the Homebirth forum!

The point is, we need to make the valuable experiences of women here, easily available to women who need them. There's got to be a way to make it easier!

[Leilalu]

I think it would be highly resourceful and valuable. C/S are a no-no, hush hush topic it seems and many moms who have had them or have to have them need a place to talk as well. It is a highly complex subject that deserves more attenton I think.

[mamameg]

I'd to see a c/s forum! With the national c/s rate hovering around 30% , I would love to see MDC highlight the issue, making it easy for women to seek out information on how to avoid them, recovery from them, heal emotionally from them, and fight for change in the system that's responsible for them.

[Mama Coltrane]

I totally agree with last poster.

[ChattyCat]

[Drummer's Wife]

Just wanted to bump this again in hopes that more mama's will see it and add their opinions.

Having three unwanted and yes possible unnecessary sections I would love to find more moms for support and be able to offer advice, suggestions, experiences without having to search thru the pregnancy and birth posts since I don't usually go looking around there as I am pretty sure I'm done having babies

[Jane's4]

Hi. Fairly new here, but I agree that the c/s threads often end up either buried or bombarded with less-than-supportive posts. I think it's important that women dealing with past or potential c/s have a safe place to post. A resources sticky is great, but women need the support of other women as well.

[janebug]

i think a form would be really good, especially as one poster mentioned, the nat'l rate is so close to 30% and those of us who have had less than optimal birth experiences could use alot of support

[Subhuti]

Hi,

I think it would be so helpful to have a separate subforum for all issues related to c/s. One-third of us have to have them. There are SO many issues pre and post c/s that merit discussion.

I've found MDC forums as a whole can be sadly inimical to open discussion, at times, about c/s's. Sometimes people, entirely well-meaning, question why a woman has to/has had a c/s -- in a sense re-traumatizing the posters. I've seen post after post where women who have a c/s post with an apologia/explanation why they had one -- I'm assuming simply to avoid being second-guessed. I find this sad. Our expectation here should be one of acceptence, not judgement.

Because of this, I feel like a mini safe haven would be nice for those of us that had c/s's! Organizationally, it would be a lot simpler, too.



Liz

[liseux]

"Sometimes people, entirely well-meaning, question why a woman has to/has had a c/s -- in a sense re-traumatizing the posters. I've seen post after post where women who have a c/s post with an apologia/explanation why they had one -- I'm assuming simply to avoid being second-guessed. I find this sad. Our expectation here should be one of acceptence, not judgement."
CatskillMtnMama

ITA. There is a lot of challenging stuff c/s mamas have to wade through before getting support. Some of us used to be UCers & HBers. so we know we aren`t having the optimal birth, but we have to make the best of it. Please, can we have a normal forum?

[dlm194]

I think a c-s subforum would be tremedously helpful. Many women, like myself, have been attracted to MDC because we went through traumatic c-section births and want to converse with like-minded women. Although I want a lot of support to vbac some day, I still think there are a lot of issues to process related specifically to c-sections. There's too much "c-sections are great!!!" talk on mainstream boards so there aren't many places to talk/vent/discuss c-sections. I always feel badly when someone's c-section story or questions get lost in the c-s thread b/c there are too many other topics going on in there. Contrary to some beliefs, c-section mamas are not always victims of knife happy doctors - many of us were under the care of midwives and attempting natural and home births.

Since a c-section rate should be around 5-15% (at most), there are definitely women who need to have c-sections for medical reasons and we should not exclude them. In fact, we may be able to promote more natural and personal c-section experiences for women who truly need them but don't get support from the traditional medical establishment.

[Subhuti]

AndiB-
Have you posted in B and B mentioning *this* thread ... so that people who might want to weigh in on this, can. Do you think it would be OK to post in I am pregnant section, too?

Liz

[LizD]

I would be really, really glad to see a Cesarean Birth forum of its own. There's more than one issue to be discussed, and a "support circle" might not be what someone is looking for. There are women who've had positive cesarean birth experiences, for one thing, and women who need support for a traumatic cesarean birth experience. Why should it all be lumped into one thread? And the discussion often becomes volatile and turns people away. As a doula I've been to many cesareans and am interested in discussing how to make necessary cesareans better for all parties- without rehashing all the statistics, etc. about the too-high cesarean rate. It is often impossible to discuss making a cesarean positive. Mothering readers are more likely to seek such conversation; why should they be referred to mainstream boards, where they *still* won't get the support they're seeking? If there was a forum in which various topics had their own threads, it might keep discussion on topic and cause less fighting.

[Smithie]

ITA with Liz. I'm planning a HB for this baby, and I'm in love with that plan, and if that turns into a planned C-section for medical reasons I'd love to have someplace to tak about it with others who've had similar experiences - and WITHOUT playing Twenty Questions with every random person who cruises the B&B forum.