Have you crossed your ‘estimated due date’ and are getting anxious and uncomfortable with each passing day? Feeling anxious that you aren’t yet ready for vaginal birth? Or C-section? Rest assured that the baby is preparing to come out, but maybe, just maybe, he is waiting for his last eyelash to get completed, or his last strand of hair is sprouting. He isn’t ready today, but he soon will be. So leave the decision up to the baby, let him/her decide his birthday. It doesn’t matter if you’ve crossed your ‘estimated due date’! Nature’s way of telling us when the baby is ready is when the mom feels ready for a vaginal birth.
On Mother’s Day, we invited Divya Deswal, the Co-Founder of MyChildFirst for a talk on how pregnancy shapes the baby’s individuality – the influence starts from the moment of conception up until the sequence of birth is completed.
Last Sunday, our talk focused on how the choice of childbirth impacts the little one and the mother. However common they tend to get, Cesarean sections have negative ramifications for the baby and the mother. C-Section causes a significant disruption for the mother and the baby. It has long-lasting effects, so it must be exercised with utmost caution.
We delved into the details of natural delivery and surgical interventions. How accurate and valid are the old wives’ tales when it comes to childbirth? We’ve summarized our talk below but highly recommend you watch the video.
Sequence of childbirth
Nature has designed a birth sequence for the baby in the womb. The baby’s head-turning and lowering towards the birth canal is the intention and preparation of his journey to come out into the world. This is followed by labor, which is the action of coming out. After birth, the baby nestles on the mother with skin-to-skin contact. Any kind of intervention stops the drive of the baby to complete the sequence and results in the freezing of the activation energy that the baby has garnered in preparation for the delivery.
Also Read: Ankita Malik: Why a Lactation Consultant is The New Mom’s Best Friend
The science behind natural birth
When the baby is coming out of the birth canal, he feels compression on the chest and head. When a baby is pulled out from a surgical site, the physical sensation he feels is entirely different.
During a natural birth, the baby swallows vaginal fluid that lines his gut. This helps him with digestion. When the baby comes out through surgery, there are more skin bacteria than vaginal bacteria. These micro-changes – the pressure on the baby, the temperature changes, the baby’s own ability to kick and push himself out, all play a vital role in the baby’s overall development.
Vaginal Birth vs C-section. Which is better?
Is childbirth through cesarean section good or bad? Well, only circumstances can dictate the necessity of having a c-sec. There are multiple factors at play when a woman undergoes a surgical procedure, such as the pregnant woman’s experience and health care provider’s experience, education, and preference. Keeping all these factors in mind, a c-sec should only be conducted when it isn’t safe for the pregnant woman or the baby and we are left with no other choice. Only at the point of ‘now or never’ should a cesarean section be done.
Defining your intentions lovingly
When the slightest bit of intervention such as home remedies or natural remedies is being done to induce labor, the baby understands very well that he is being asked to leave the womb when he isn’t ready. The mother’s intentions are extremely significant at this stage. The baby is sensing his impending eviction. Your intentions have the power to stir up a sea of emotions in the infant, so define your intentions clearly and execute them with utmost love and care.
The impact of C-section on a baby
C Sections have a big impact on the child. How the child is impacted depends upon the circumstances that called for a Csection, what happened before and after the surgical procedure and how the birth sequence is completed. It all boils down to this – how was the baby protected in the sequence of birth? Some babies may have no effects of the c section. They can metabolize and integrate it very quickly. On the other hand, it can also leave an indelible impression on the child.
Baby’s healing post C-section
The healing or the repair work for the baby post a cesarean section can be done keeping in mind his age and the circumstances of his birth. For example, if the baby is small, skin-to-skin contact has magical healing powers. We need to give the baby space and the resource to process and integrate the experience through his nervous system. Then it will become his past and not interfere with his present.
In some cases, you can see the imprint of the c section in the way the child carries out his tasks. Fear of completing tasks could be related to the interruption of the sequence of childbirth.
Mother’s healing post C-section
Csec takes away the mother’s ability to meet the baby because she has had the surgery. When the mother chooses a c-section, she loses an integral experience of natural birth. The mother may need healing therapy as well.
Choosing your healthcare provider
Your birthing experience majorly depends on your chosen health care provider. Expecting moms should understand the significance of this experience and research a lot to decide the kind of birthing experience they want. So, choose your health care provider who shares your views and supports you as you make your decisions.
Also Read: Ajita Gopal Seethepalli: Bringing Back Joyful Parenting with Her Sleep Training Superpowers
General anesthesia and trauma
The use of general anesthesia causes a disconnect between the mother and child. That can be traumatic for both.
The Golden Hour
The “golden hour” completes the sequence of birth. All expecting moms should know about this window and make the most of it immediately post-delivery!
Photo by Arthur Goulart from Pexels
