woohoo! we can HB the next one!

[splash]

Okay... might seem really dumb to be excited about it, since Charlie is only 6 weeks old.
Jean had wanted a BC birth with Charlie, but it didn't turn out that way. I know most people look down on folks who have sections and most people think that when someone says it was an "emergency" it is just being over dramatic. But... Charlie was born at 43 weeks and he was delivered by c/s because a) the midwife had to legally discharge us, b) no hopsital would induce her, and c) he failed the NST
Once Charlie came out at 11.5 lbs with an obviously tired and ill functioning placenta and very low amniotic fluid, it was whole heartedly agreed by the OB who delivered him (who had had 3 HBs herself) and the hospital midwife AND all the MWs at our practice that it was highly unlikely he would have been okay if he hadn't come out then and there.
So, why did I explain all that to you? Mostly because I am sick of people implying that we "failed" or that we were too dumb to challenge the doctors.
Okay... rant over. Sorry.

Anyhoo, and her six week PP visit with the MW yesterday, we were talking about the next baby. And we knew she could not deliver in the BC ever again, after having a c/s, by state law. However, it IS legal for her to have a MW attended HB. Woo Hoo!! So.... if we should ever venture into pregnancy again (well, if it's her having the baby) then a HB is still legally available to us!!
That makes me happy. Especially since I think a HB (for us) is safer than a BC birth since the BC is 20 minutes away from the hospital and we are less than five.

[Barcino]

good for you! By no means you failed by having a csection. Csections sometimes are warranted. I had a csection for malposition after many many hours trying to correct the malposition at a birth center. I gave it all I could and gave it a lot of time. My midwife back then could have done better (now that I know better) but I did all I could and by no means neither you nor I failed or were sheeply led into a csection. :thumb Anyway... I am 39+ weeks with #2 and having a homebirth. I feel great about it! This time the thing that makes me feel even better is knowing that my current midwive knows how to deal with more than my previous one and I trust her completly. If I am meant to have a vaginal birth (I am pretty sure I am!) then I will. If not then I know I gave it all I could and had the best support.
If I end up with a csection is because I NEED one!

[ZeldasMom]

:bouncy on the :homebirth !!!

And about cesareans, when I look at the stats for whole populations of women I am very bummed about how many cesareans there are and wish there weren't so many. But when it comes to indiviual women's situations I don't judge because I know cesareans are necessary in some cases and have saved some people's lives. And bottom line, I support women in doing what they feel is best for themselves and their babies.

[splash]

Thanks for the encouragement. I just feel like we can't even tell people how Charlie was born because they judge women who've had sections. Or there are people who hear how big he was and say "Oh, so you had a section, right?" To those people I say "No, he was an unmedicated home birth with a midwife" mostly because, well I'll never see them again, and it is really none of their business, and I want people to know that a big baby doesn't automatically call for a section.
And even though it's WAY too early to be thinking about the next one... it is such a relief that a normal birth is an option for us. Before she had the section (which was done in the middle of the night) she told me she didn't want any more kids, because she never wanted another c-section. I agreed because at the time the life of the baby she was carrying was more important than any kids to come. But I am glad that now she has the opportunity to have the birth she wants. But next time that baby better be out by 38 weeks! And her MW agrees, no babies after 38 weeks next time!