Say it ain't so - Another celebrity scheduling a cesarean

Wow. Yet another celebrity is signing up for the O.R. (Christina Aguilera)? Say it ain't so. Surgery over a few hours of work to benefit both mom and her baby?! Vaginal birth IS the norm. Surgery is well SURGERY which can lead to incredible risks and consequences immediately and very long term. Yes there is frustration in my voice.

COME on already, MAJOR surgery is so much riskier than normal, routine, AWESOME childbirth. AAHH but perhaps therein lies the problem, normal, routine childbirth is very tough to attain these days with all the inductions with an against label use drug (cytotec), most labors being augmented with pitocin because a woman isn't fitting a time clock of daylight or one shift obstetrics, the planned paralysis of rampant epidural use, continuous fetal monitoring since the inductions, augmentation and epidurals makes women and babies high risk(and in essence straps said women to the bed), and then pushing a baby out while others yell at her and the woman is told to hold her breath while in a tremendously poor position choice (except the care provider can SEE), this leads to episiotomies or much more severe tearing than side-lying, squatting or hands and knees would provide or worse instrumental delivery - then to add insult to literal injury baby isn't allowed to be on mom for some beautiful bonding moments before being weighed and more.

OK perhaps that is one reason for all the refusal to use one's vagina for an intended purpose. The list could go on as for why maternity care and childbirth is so completely backwards in this country.

We are missing out dear women, sisters and friends. We need to reclaim what is our design, our privilege, our heritage, our right and our purpose.

Pax,

Desirre

You can find the money to have the childbirth you desire!

I far too often hear women saying "My insurance doesn't cover the location, provider, type of birth I REALLY want. Well it will be okay anyway, won't it?." Or "We just bought XXXXX and cannot afford to pay for care out of pocket."

I wonder what are you willing to do to have the childbirth you deeply desire? It seems in other aspects of life when there is something we really want, somehow we find the time, money, etc. to attain it. Childbirth IS that important. Investing in what will help you achieve a normal birth can be preventative of unwanted interventions and cesarean.

Below is a list of ways to find the money for the birth center, family practitioner, home birth midwife, out of network provider, doula, independent childbirth class, waterbirth or whatever your heart is set upon to help in preparation and delivery of your baby.

A list of practical ways to find the money you need:

1) In lieu of traditional baby shower gifts (honestly much of the stuff is unnecessary to having a baby except for a good baby wearing item) - ask for a group gift of the provider or location payment (or at least monies to get you well on your way).

2) Trim down your budget - do you need the highest satellite or cable package, forgo eating out or picking up expensive drinks, forgo weekly entertainment expenses, have a yard sale or post on community boards all the items you do not use (your home will be much less cluttered for it), what about your cellular service - trim back if possible, sell your car and buy something less expensive, forgo expensive hair cuts or other beauty maintenance

3) Ask for family and friends to donate to your XXXXX fund.

4) Petition your insurance company to add XXXX provider or location to their provider list.

5) Figure out all your co-pays and see if you are really spending more or close to the same anyway for what you don't really want and can actually afford the care you really desire.

6) Set-up payment schedules with provider or location - often care can be paid for over the time of your pregnancy in increments.

7) Do you have a barter to offer? Try it!

8) Move to a lower cost home to save in rent or mortgage. Hey even moving in with family temporarily can work. Extended support is often a blessing.

9) Open a 125k flexible medical spending account (thanks to my DH for reminding me about this). This money comes out of your paycheck pre-tax and you can get reimbursed for out-of-pocket medical expenses in one calendar year, it lowers your taxable income and helps you attain what you want.

Sometimes sacrifice is needed. Sometimes just a bit of trimming. Being under the thumb of insurance or lack thereof doesn't have to define your options. Get creative. There is almost ALWAYS a way. It is worth it to you and your baby.

Merry Christmas! Desirre

Random Childbirth Thoughts - Do these sound too familiar?

These are quotes made up by a friend and I to cause a pause and thinking to occur. Sadly, they may sound very familiar to public opinion these days. This is meant to be a spoof, but also is a social commentary on how we as a society are giving up on the precious and magnificent work of normal labor and birth. As women, we are incredibly blessed to be the life growers and to bring life forth from our own bodies under our own power. The work of pregnancy, labor and delivery is just a glimpse into the daily work of being a mother. Motherhood like pregnancy through delivery is not always easy but at the end of the day worth it. I fear we are losing something of vast importance in our society.

This entry is biting and almost roast-like. Read with caution!

• "Not my mama's vagina! Mine is only for sex."
• "MY MRSA Antibiotics are so slimming..it was worth the infection I got during my cesarean!"
• "Ob's say Vaginas are no longer for non-sexual use due to stressors destroying the capability for penis use"
• "Men everywhere question the duality of vaginal use. Should they allow women to use their vaginas for birth?"
• "Women are just saying NO to multi-purpose vaginal use"
• "My vagina is progressive and evolved - no childbirth for me!"
• "Kegels, schmegels - just get the cesarean."
• "I thought to myself..they can't really do vaginal tightening..but I can always have another tummy tuck!"
• "It was GREAT being able to schedule my induction...and the baby being in the NICU for a week meant that I got plenty of rest and was able to shop without interruption!"
• "I was so ready for motherhood! I had a postpartum doula, a nanny and lots of dr. bronner's bottles! Oh, and once the baby came, the sleeper, the vibrating chair, the swing...they saved me! I never had to pick the baby up once! Just pacifier and away!"
• "No vaginal birth for me! I am a modern woman."
• "But none of my friends are using their vaginas for birth!"

Are you thinking yet? Screaming? Yelling at me? And by the way, it is okay to laugh.

Desirre