Natural Family Living Cesarean Resource Thread - Page 2

[georgia]

For anyone looking for additional threads, you might check here in Finding Your Tribe (which is a support-only forum) and here in Personal Growth

[Momma Aimee]

thanks everyone

I am researching CS so i do not feel lost and out of control IF that is where this pregancy goes.

Thanks

You all sound so at peace with it and have given me a lot to think about, and a lot for my birth plan.

Aimee

[aweynsayl]

also-- there used to be monthly threads like so: monthly support thread, here in B&B...


gathered from various places, some resources:

Reading:
~there is a book by ICAN that some moms have found helpful-- ask your local ICAN, aparently it's not on their website....
~there is an article,"You Should Be Grateful" ... i'll just add a disclaimer that this article is very helpful for those who are angry about their c-s, but can be hurtful to those who are not. http://www.plus-size-pregnancy.org/C...begrateful.htm
~an article on mothering, which, imo, just scratches the surface, but it's there at least! http://www.mothering.com/guest_edito...place/133.html
~I honestly dont remember where this link came from, but it was in my links, and there's some thoughts there...... http://www.sheilakitzinger.com/Artic...irthHaunts.htm

Energy Healing, Thereapy, Etc....

Yoga and Reiki and chakra work and cranial sacral ... also:

These two are basically the same thing, EFT is more complex, Tapping is simplified... BOTH you can do ON YOUR OWN (so, no worries about COST, which is so often a HUGE stumbling block for a new mom getting the help she needs!) They are both based on the idea that there are lines of energy in the body-- and unwanted feelings are caused by blocks in that energy flow.

~Emotional Freedom Technique: http://emofree.com/
~Tapping: http://www.tapping.com
I especially recomend THIS ONE EXERCISE-- it takes like 2 minutes to do, and made *such* an amazing difference for me. http://www.tapping.com/videos/chakra-clearing.html

THESE two are ones that were recomended, but i've not done them myself.... my impression is that they are slighly more involved (i think they need a pro to help), and for esp those with PTSD.

~Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): http://www.emdr.com/index.htm

~Jin Shin Jyutsu: http://jsjinc.net/
(there is part of this one you can do yourself.... I didnt ever quite "get" it.... but it's the same kind of idea as tapping/eft. http://jsjinc.net/maincentral.php )

[Mindi22]

Thanks for all the great information. I'm looking at a possibly planned section for placenta previa, and I'm interested in finding out everything that I can to make it an easier experience.

Blessings,
Mindi

[georgia]

Just saw thisby Marilyn82 which has some helpful links

http://www.birthingnaturally.net/bir.../cesarean.html

http://pregnancytoday.com/reference/...sareanplan.htm

http://www.birthrites.org/ (Great information on planning a positive cesarean!)

http://www.lalecheleague.org/FAQ/cesarean.html (Bf-ing after cesarean...just in case)

http://www.childbirth.org/section/CSFAQ.html (this has lots of good info including the procedures involved, recovery, etc)

[Spark]

bump for someone special who's having a c-birth today.

ETA: Doh, I didn't see that this was a sticky! Here I was looking all over the place for a thread like this!

[wombatclay]

http://www.eheart.com/cesarean/oliver.html

The language and philosophy of the site may be a bit out there (the overall site discusses the spiritual/emotional/physical impact of c/s on the child over the course of their life) but the message is excellent. The link above goes to an article on the "ideal" cesarean experience.

[aweynsayl]

~~~~~~~

[Hippy]

I had a Cesarean Birth on 4/7 of this year. Below I have listed what I refer to as my Kick a$$ Birth Plan. When I felt like I had lost control of my body i took control of my birth by trying to write out what I wanted to have a positive C-Section. I found this thread and it helped me a lot.

But one thing I CAN NOT stress enough is how crucial it was to have a doula with me! I can tell you w/ 100% certainty that I would have had to had a general if it wasn't for my doula. She is also a member here and she will back me up in this. So please, please, please consider getting a doula. I had a doula for my first (med free) birth and I thought she was valuable then. But having one for my C-Section made me think that they should be required for every C-Section...it was that much of a life saver.

Our C-Section Birth Plan

To my Health Care Providers: Thank you for taking the time to work with us and our birth plan. These are our preferences; and as this is a planned Cesarean birth we are looking forward to a positive birth experience. We want to participate in this birth to the fullest. We have listed our preferences below; these decisions have been made after research, consultation, and thought. Therefore your help in attaining these goals is very much appreciated.

Environment
Please, no residents or students attending my birth.
I would like to have my husband and my doula with me at all times, even for procedures and administration of anesthesia.
If possible I would like the lights to be dimmed some.
If possible I would like to have my relaxation music played.
My arms are not to be strapped down unless general anesthesia becomes necessary during an emergency.
Please let me know before you touch me or start any procedure.
I welcome conversation during the delivery process.
I would like the option of viewing the birth either by lowering the screen or positioning a mirror.
If possible it would be nice to have a pillow or pillows under my head so I can have a better chance of seeing what is happening during the delivery.

Anesthesia
If at all possible I would like a spinal block for pain relief with continued pain relief with a PCAP.
In the past I have had a bad reaction to anesthesia. Please give me medications to help prevent nausea and vomiting.
No mind-altering drugs are to be administered without my expressed permission. I am aware that some hospitals routinely sedate the mom for the repair portion of the surgery. It is important to me not to feel drugged or be unable to remember the events of the birth.
I would like the catheter put in after anesthesia is administered.

During the Procedure
If possible I would prefer to use the same incision that was used in my 2006 Spinal Fusion.
If my baby needs assistance during the delivery process, if possible please use a vacuum verses forceps.
If at all possible we would like to wait for the umbilical cord to stop pulsating before it is clamped. If this is not possible we would like to try and wait at least a few minutes.
If at all possible we would like that the baby?s father, Adam, be able to cut the cord.
I would like to see the baby immediately after birth if at all possible. If there is any way to place the baby on my chest, even for a few seconds, I would like this to happen.
I prefer that the outside incision be sutured with stitches and not staples.

Newborn Procedures
We would like it if my husband remains with the baby at all times.
We do not wish to do the eye ointment, Vitamin K shot, PKU/Newborn Screening testing or immunizations and will sign a waiver.
We have refused the Hep B Vaccine at this time.
We would like to give our baby its first bath. Please do not bathe our baby.
My baby is to be exclusively breastfed, do not offer my baby formula, pacifier, and artificial nipple or sugar water without my consent.
If our baby is a boy do not circumcise.
All tests and procedures are to be done in the presence of one of the baby?s parents, and with our expressed consent, barring no emergency situation.

Post-Op & Recovery
I would like to have contact with the baby as soon as it is possible in the delivery room.
I would like my doula to remain with me at all times during the recovery.
I request to recover in a Labor & Delivery Room so that I can have my baby immediately and have my husband and doula with me.
I wish to have the baby with me in recovery so that I can breastfeed.
We would like our baby to room in with us. I will have someone with me at all times to assist me with the baby in anyway.
Do not come and take our baby to the nursery unless we request it. Any procedures or pediatric checks can be done in our room.

[rn]

last month I had my 3rd c section. none of them were planned, but this is the way they all happened and I am at peace it.

BUT this last time was by far the best one yet thanks to a great OB and something called a Mobius retractor. My organs never left my body like w/ the first two. And recovery has been extremely easy as a result.

I am still amazed at how different I feel this time. For many many months after my first two, my insides just did not feel right, no other way to describe it. This time I have never had that feeling. Today my baby is 5 weeks old and I feel great and have felt great for several weeks now.

I really feel like this should be the norm on how c sections are done and sadly it is not.... so if you have to have one ask your doctor to do it this way.

http://www.applemed.com/product.php?...stic_retractor

.... and of course ask to be stitched not stapled closed. most use staples out of sheer laziness as stitches take much longer, but stitches are a much kinder way to be closed.

I hope this information helps someone. A cesarean is obviously not a great way to have a baby but if it has to be it has to be.

[RiverMamma]

Wow, Reading Hippy's cecarian birth plan just made me realize how much I missed out on that I could have controlled with simple requests. I never expected to set foot in a hospital though, let allone have a cecarian birth. I am greatfull though, without it neither DD or I would be here right now. ( her cord was arround her neck up high near the placenta, essentially she was on a leash. I was pushing so hard that the cord was actually begining to detatch from the placenta, that's when her heart rate went up & my midwives told me it was time to go to the hospital.) I think maby it is important to be prepared for anything. I certainly was not prepared to go to the hospital. The hospital staff was very understanding and accomidating of us, realizing that we were not your average hospital birthers. I was worried that they would give me a hard time about sleeping with her, but they actually encouraged me to "snuggle closer." I did miss out on allot though, I spent recovery by myself, was anisteseised in a room of strangers. Was able to have my husband with me but not my midwife. I did not have my baby to hold for two hours after her birth, they took her to the nursery for everything. Daddy was with her anytime I wasn't at least, he got to carry her from the operating room to the nursery. They let me see her & touch her face breifly (for like a millisecond!) But it wasn't untill the next day that I realized I had never even held her skin to skin, I had simply been holding this bundle of blankets I had been handed. I think next time I will have a B plan too, incase I can't VBAC.

[dearmama22]

I'm so glad I found this.. I might have to have a planned c section due to my low placenta and I am so upset about this. Seeing these stories makes me feel a little better, like I can have more control...

[ThomasWilliams]

Thanks for all sharing helpful source. it's useful information.

[wombatclay]

The Essential C-Section Guide: Pain Control, Healing at Home, Getting Your Body Back, and Everything Else You Need to Know About a Cesarean Birth

While it doesn't address vbac, this book is good for planning/recovering from a necessary c/s. It demystifies the surgery and surgical prep, provides information with a generally positive "you can do it" attitude, and is upfront with the challenges faced during recovery. It especially good for women who have never had surgery since the authors have BTDT and aren't medical professionals...so they know the sorts of questions/fears a woman facing surgery has along with the more "becoming a mom" questions/fears.

It also covers emotional recovery and provides a section for partners... how to help their partner during and after the delivery, what to expect/what they'll see during surgery, etc.