I gave birth to my youngest son in 2002, and had heart failure due to a c-secton. It was all the hospitals fault. I went to the hospital the night before because I was having labor pains (so they said), but they were contractions (i know it). So all they did was give me fluids to stop the labor (i was a month early). They didn't do an internal exam or a exterior one at that. Once the contractions had subsided they sent me home with a discharge notice telling me to drink more water (they thought I was dehydrated) 10 glasses a day. 6 hrs later I was back to having contracts, but my hubby told me to wait until my water broke (it would be more expensive to go back to the hospital) so I went on with my day (took care of the kids, went to work) but had to leave work early because of the pain. About 24 hrs later I was having horrible pains and contracts were still 10 min apart (not usual for me and I had already had 2 vaginal births). Around 3am I had asked my hubby why it had hurt so bad and went to the bathroom...I sat down and a lot of blood came out. Me and hubby were freaking, so we rushed to the hospital. They had me there for about an hour (clots of blood and all) before doing an internal exam...I was 6 cm diolated...And as they said was prob at least 3 cm the night before. Before finding out I was diolated, they had told me they wanted to wait until morning to do an ultrasound to see why I was bleeding. So the doctor came in to deliver, but baby wasn't doing so good so I had an emergency c-section, had heart failure, and got pneumonia due to the heart failure.

Anyway at least my baby was okay.
This is my experience with c-sections, and would advise people to stay away from them and lower bucks hospital in bristol pa.

Jennifer

Well my sister *had* to have a c-section. She had pre-eclampsia at 17 and it was either that or she wouldnt make it. They said, "tomorrow it will be done", then "later tonight well do it", then "we got to do it right now." so me and my mom got dressed in the "gear" and went to see it done. She had the baby oct.9th and she was due nov. 26th. So about 2 months early. The baby weighed 4.1 but the doctors we so careful and good that they both came out fine. Only the baby has these blood vessels on her her back and one on her stomach that stick out and are real dark. From the monitor things they had on her skin. They say it will go away when shes 6, and they are big and people question the bumps and stuff but its ok, shes a beauty still! My sister can have any more babies because she will get the disease again and it will be worse but shes ok with that as long as she has baby hope.

Yeah nikki, i'm sure the baby is a beauty...I just mean no more for me. And I can't have anymore babies either.

Jennifer

Jennifer thankyou so much for sharing your story and I would have loved to get more information from other women before I tell mine in order not to offend any one...

Anyway,here it is.

I was always terrified of birth and I was sure that when the time comes I ll have to have drugs that would put me to sleep untill everything would be over....

Fat chance,i came across a book from frederic leboyer,an ob turned author who very poetically explained the horrors a new born indures...Not the natural ones but the man made ones...

The horrible operating light that blinds himas soon as he leaves the dim,obscure womb,the harsh noises that terrify him,the discovery of gravity(in the womb he was floating always in motion),he is scared,all is new(like if you opened a door and were thrown into a hostile non recognizable invironment,like space...Or another planet),theres panic,tears and no recognition,....Exhausted,he falls asleep,away from the heartbeat of his mother,the same heartbeat that kept him company for 9 months,a reference point,),to name just a few...

I was horrified.

No sleep for me.

When I got pregnant.I went to classes and devoured the library(most books were americans so I think we all share the same maternity rules,give or take).

I found out that on arrival in the hospital they put an iv filled with a hormone that causes contractions(thus making the baby and mother tired increasing the stress levels,and so increasing the chances to have a c section)i found out they strap a monitor on your belly(ultrasound really) that annoys the baby,thus increasing the chances to have his ombilical cord wrapped around his neck)and it makes you stay put(walking helps).I found out that giving birth on your back increases the pain but no doctor would get on his knees to help you deliver on all fours for instance.

I found out theypromote epidurals(specially at the hardest moment)but what they dont tell you is that its dangerous,it goes to the baby,and you cant push usually so they use spoons around the babys head or their hands to yank him out of you,...Charming!

Brutal.

Epidural given to animals made them not lick their babies after birth and not taking care of them,it interfears with the maternal instinct.And besides,you get to have an epidural at the easiest part,after all the contractions,after you are dilated...


I was in tears.

Greece has the highest rate in c sections...Its treated like a disease not like anatural process and man made conditions were a guarantee to interfere with the process...Besides I wanted to breastfeed and hospital interests and regulations would probably sabotage it(bottle feeding,keeping the baby away at night)

i thought about it a lot...I couldnt count on my husband to fight with staff and nurses at the crucial moment.I was scared.


Then,around the 6th month,i wasnt scared anymore.I "talked to the baby inside me,asked her not to make things difficult by wrapping for instance her cord around her neck,and that I would do my best to give her a safe non violent birth.


I rented a small wooden pool and had my home birth.


My baby was late and my water broke 2 days later.I had contractions every 1.5minute...I recommend getting into water it takes 50% of the pain away..

I had a"violent" labor according to my midwife.

Her helper couldnt be reached so my husband had to do all the work on my back...Poor man at first he told me he would hold my hand but wouldnt watch from the waist down!

He loved it!

8 hours later my daughter was born,unwrinkled.No cries of despair,no yelling...My husband was sobbing.

My mom was beaming.

They washed us,the midwife made some stitches(i got torn a bit-nothing compared to the incisions doctors make ...In case of)
and I put her to my breast.

Within an hour everybody came to see us.

We never parted.


This story always empowers me and gives me confidence.

I loved giving birth this way.

I can imagine how violated women must feel when unecessary procedures on their body take place...


The truth is that out of a 100 pregnancies,only 5 require medical intervention.



Going to a hospital to give birth made me panic.On the other hand giving birth away from medical attention could make most women uncomfortable.

I am not preaching for home birth.

I am an advocate for women to take alittle more control of their bodies.Doctors are for medical emergencies,incase something goes wrong.

Giving birth is natural and its been done for ever..

I was writing my post and had to come back as soon as I read your sisters problem.
Im glad everything went well for both of them...
My midwife was afraid I dget pre eclampsia cause I gained 30 kgs(how much is that in pounds?)and I was swollen (couldnt see my ankles anymore)...But I kept eating a lot of raw garlic that regulates the tension of the blood(if its high it lowers it and if ts low it makes it rise),stayed away from sugar,and kept my diet as natural as possible...You know,no milk,lots of raw almonds,nuts,dattes,salads ,fruits,brown bread and pasta....
Why dont you tell your sister to give it a try and see if theres any change...Tell her to research alternative medicines,i mean if she wants another baby its worth a change of habits...
Also,tell herto contact laleche league...They have a wonderful library,and they can help her breastfeed.(very important for early little travelers)
good luck,and give that little niece of yours a big hug as soon as you can,from me.

Nice story...But for me I still feel more comfortable (however not completely relaxed) with a hospital.

Good luck with everything,

jennifer

There is a book called methods of chilbirth,that was very explicit.Also books from suzanne arms,f.Leboyer,and sears (a pediatrician).

I am not someone out of the ordinary,i have zero tolerence of pain,and I love my child very much...
I just didnt want someone else to have all the control especially from the moment I knew that giving birth is a very profitable business...


By the way,one last thing...In greece hospitals cost an average of 3000 euro/dollars for 4 days.
(it cost me only 900 at home)
how much is it there?

I told my sister she should try but she had said no, because her doc said if she tries again it will get worse and either she wont make it or the baby wont make it so she wants to adopt when shes like 27 cuz shes only 17 right now.