The month of April is C-Section awareness month and I have been researching my head off about C-Sections. I will not provide statistics today being that I will lose self-control and post 2 million links, diagrams, and photos. Instead I will discuss the way they affect the women who undergo them, primary reason being, that’s what has touched me the most.

I have spoken to women who have received C-Sections and their stories just pull at the strings of my heart. None of these women wanted to be named, however, have given me permission to share their stories. After discussing/interviewing these women about their C-Sections I came to the consensus that their stories needed to be told. What I mean by this, is that the scars left were not physical but emotional and that they need to be addressed and tended to. Many women do not want/plan to have a C-Section, when they are told they going to have one it is usually after being told that they have failed at something or that either they or their unborn child’s life is at stake. So many of these woman were not told about “Gentle C-Sections”, having free arms and the ability to hold the baby after delivery. They are not told that is normal for heart rates to drop. They are not given the opportunity to progress at a natural rate. They are told that if they do not go through with the procedure, they will deliver a stillborn baby. So many of these woman are truly traumatized by their experiences. Many cannot watch clips, shows, videos, etc about Cesarean, it triggers their unresolved issues with their Cesarean.

Luckily VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) awareness has been on the rise. Families are becoming informed that it’s quite safe to strive for a VBAC, they are discovering that they have rights in delivery rooms, and they are seeking out doctors who are willing to help them achieve a successful VBAC! The aspect of families yearning for a VBAC that I am not happy about, is the opposition. I have heard of doctors telling patients that if they attempt a VBAC “We will wheel you out of a room with pale gray lips and a dead baby resting on your chest.” Scare tactic statements are NOT OKAY, they are unethical and cruel. You have a right to attempt to achieve a VBAC. It hurts me to say this but sometimes you will have to fight tooth and nail to achieve your VBAC, you need to have a strong support group! Be prepared for nurses and doctors pressuring and scaring you out of your decision. Whatever they tell you, QUESTION THEM, I cannot stress it enough; find out why they want to do something and find out what they believe the statistics are. A birthday party, dinner, concert, vacation, or any engagement is NOT an excuse/cause for a C-Section! Stay strong, be positive, get educated, find support, attempt a VBAC.