I Have a Plan "C"!

Have a Plan “C”!

For some reason a lot of mothers I know giving birth in South Africa are having scheduled C-Sections. Sadly I only know of 1 person who has delivered vaginally out of atleast 15 women. Lack of education around birth? Provider's pushing their agendas? Liability and hospital policies? This is something I need to explore further and perhaps reach out to them to find out their birth stories.

On the complete opposite end of the spectrum- here in the United States- out of dozens of women who have crossed my path, I only know a handful who have had to have a ceserean birth.

CESEREANS ARE WHAT MOST MOTHERS CONSIDER TO BE THEIR “WORST CASE SCENARIO” AND OFTEN DON'T EVEN ENTERTAIN THE POSSIBILITY OF HAVING ONE. HERE'S WHY THIS ISN'T THE BEST APPROACH:

Just as with a birth plan for a vaginal delivery, exploring your options and doing your research ahead of time is crucial. Once you're in “labor land” (mystical universe a laboring woman enters where her thinking brain is no longer in control but rather her primal brain. Oxytocin is flowing and labor is moving along) the last thing you want to do is discuss your preferences, ask questions, and possibly deal with upset because you're faced with an unexpected ceserean with almost no time to digest it.

I'm sure I speak for most doulas when I say as difficult as it may be, and as much as you may want to procrastinate it, think and plan for a possible C-section. There are so many cool ways in which the experience can be more family-centered and tailored to suit your wishes.

For example, requesting a clear drape so that you and your support person can view the baby's entrance into this world… Or, my absolute favorite: requesting the entire O.R. to be silent as the baby is being born allowing you to greet your baby and have your voice be the first voice your baby hears! All the chills right now.

None of these wishes can come true if you don't plan on them ahead of time by making a “Plan C”.

I hope this has been helpful to those of you getting ready for your big day… happy birthing! Drop a comment on your thoughts and feel free to share :)

Here’s a super-cool article that shows just how special C-sections with clear drapes can be! Click https://www.mother.ly/news/these-powerful-photos-let-us-see-how-beautiful-clear-drape-c-sections-can-be to read.

XO

Bianke