12/08/2020
A pregnant mama recently told me her OB tried to persuade her into scheduling a cesarean: “so you can get in and out of the hospital before the COVID-19 rates escalate again.”
She asked me what I thought...
Using this pandemic to pressure birthing people into cesareans is bad medicine. According to the CDC, COVID-19, should never figure into cesarean unless the mom is too sick from having the infection that she can’t birth vaginally. Otherwise, vaginal birth is far safer.
What the OB said isn’t even logical! She’d have to be in the hospital longer than if she’d had a vaginal birth - increasing her potential exposure! Given the fact that partners are prohibited by many hospitals from staying for an extended time after birth, this leaves mama recovering from major surgery, alone with a newborn.
There are legitimate reasons for cesareans, and nobody should feel bad or judged for their experience. It can be a life-saver, and there are ways to have a gentle, beautiful cesarean.
Some legit indications for cesareans include:
🔸 Baby’s in distress
🔸 Pr*****ed umbilical cord
🔸 Placenta previa or abruption
🔸 HIV or active ge***al herpes
🔸 Certain medical conditions, like preeclampsia
🔸 Labor is not progressing despite alternatives being tried
🔸 Possibly, breech, twins, or VBAC
Yet the US rate is double what the WHO says is best practice for mom and baby’s safety. But avoiding an unnecessary cesarean - especially during active labor - is tough because you’re vulnerable and want to do what you’re told is best.
If you’re pregnant and want to learn when a cesarean is truly needed, how to prevent unnecessary ones, and how to advocate for yourself, join my FREE online course (🌟 link below). I’ve got 30 hours of video classes to help you navigate pregnancy, birth, and postpartum naturally, healthily, and deeply empowered to be your own best advocate, with the support team you deserve.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ideservebirthsupport
Have you been pressured/are you being pressured to have a cesarean for reasons you’re unsure about? Have you been getting the prenatal or postpartum care you need?What’s been least or most supportive for you in this time?
