"You Don't Get Any Gold Stars for Having a Natural Birth"
"You don't get any gold stars for having a natural birth."
UGH-
I will not justify the above idiotic quote with any more media attention for the moronic health care provider who stated it (or something similar), but I do have a few responses. Feel free to use them if somebody dares insinuate that you desire natural births for your children because of something as silly as social approval or attention from others.
~No, but my baby got one, because he was born without being pumped full of drugs.
~Believe it or not, I actually chose a natural birth because it is healthier for mom and baby, not for a sticker that I wanted. I did not have the birth of my child confused with a first grade spelling test.
~Do you get gold stars for your heavily medicated, date chosen induction, fear based, birth decisions? I didn't think so.
~I don't vaccinate either, do you think I am doing that because I want my body to look like Jenny McCarthy's?
~I will not respond to that with violence or hatred, because despite how ignorant and dismissive it sounds, I am trying to raise my "gold star baby" to be loving and turn the other cheek.
~No, I received no gold stars, but I did have a fabulous, empowering, climactic birth experience and a happy alert baby, unlike so many women out there who choose to listen to care providers who tell them that their bodies don't work right.
~I didn't give birth naturally for a gold star, I was actually hoping Riki Lake would be my friend...
~I chose natural birth because it is so obviously the way birth is meant to be.
~Actually, I just believe in a woman's incredible ability to grow, birth, and feed her babies without the help of man, machines, or sharp objects.
~Why do you find it offensive that I had a natural birth?
~I chose natural birth because I was more afraid of the horror stories I heard about MEDICATED birth than I was about the supposed PAIN of natural birth.
~I teach natural childbirth classes. I think you would be a great candidate for them....Call me next time you are pregnant. You too can have a gold star!
UGH-
I will not justify the above idiotic quote with any more media attention for the moronic health care provider who stated it (or something similar), but I do have a few responses. Feel free to use them if somebody dares insinuate that you desire natural births for your children because of something as silly as social approval or attention from others.
******
~No, but my baby got one, because he was born without being pumped full of drugs.
~Believe it or not, I actually chose a natural birth because it is healthier for mom and baby, not for a sticker that I wanted. I did not have the birth of my child confused with a first grade spelling test.
~Do you get gold stars for your heavily medicated, date chosen induction, fear based, birth decisions? I didn't think so.
~I don't vaccinate either, do you think I am doing that because I want my body to look like Jenny McCarthy's?
~I will not respond to that with violence or hatred, because despite how ignorant and dismissive it sounds, I am trying to raise my "gold star baby" to be loving and turn the other cheek.
~No, I received no gold stars, but I did have a fabulous, empowering, climactic birth experience and a happy alert baby, unlike so many women out there who choose to listen to care providers who tell them that their bodies don't work right.
~I didn't give birth naturally for a gold star, I was actually hoping Riki Lake would be my friend...
~I chose natural birth because it is so obviously the way birth is meant to be.
~Actually, I just believe in a woman's incredible ability to grow, birth, and feed her babies without the help of man, machines, or sharp objects.
~Why do you find it offensive that I had a natural birth?
~I chose natural birth because I was more afraid of the horror stories I heard about MEDICATED birth than I was about the supposed PAIN of natural birth.
~I teach natural childbirth classes. I think you would be a great candidate for them....Call me next time you are pregnant. You too can have a gold star!
Comments
I've always found it interesting that our body-obsessed, sports-obsessed (primarily male-directed) society condemns drugs for performance in everything but childbirth.
Sounds to me like they are saying women are helpless losers who can't be expected to complete a NORMAL process without getting shot up with everything.
I'm preparing to have this baby (#3) without drugs & interference. My first 2 were epidural babies; I was induced at 35 weeks with baby #2:( This time around, I determined to have little to no interventions because I love my baby too much to agree to have them rushed out into the world before they are ready, and too groggy to feed because of drugs. I understand that sometimes interventions are necessary, but when they are not, it seems to me that they are best avoided for the health of mom and baby/babies. I wasn't happy about the episiotomy from birth #1, or tearing along the episiotomy scar during birth #2; I'd like to be able to feel what is going on down there this time so that I can actually be a participant in the birth of baby #3. No guided pushing this time around, just faith in a birthing process that has been around long before needle and forceps-wielding obstetricians /:)
Good for you Veronica and I am excited that you are planning an empowering natural birth- you can do it and you deserve to do it!
While I don't think a mom would ever do it for a medal, some do deserve one!
http://www.momsdeservemedals.com/
What a ridiculous comment to make! Might as well come back with something just as silly.
I chose a natural birth bc after 3 c-sections I was so traumatized by my births and drugs make me crazy. Last August I had an amazing, empowering vba3c after inverted T incision. I showed up at the hospital at 10cm so I wouldn't be 'messed with' during my labor. It was a beautifully different experience!
My first was an "emergency" c-section that I blame on an idiot OBGYN and my lack of knowledge/support. My second was a completely natural birth. If anyone asks why or acts like I'm crazy, I have 2 responses.
"You should try it. It's AMAZING." and "Talk to 2 people who have had babies - one who had meds and one who didn't - and decide who had a better experience."
I've never talked to ANYONE who had a med-free childbirth who calls it anything short of incredible. Conversely, ladies who are drugged up have nothing positive to say about labor. I SO enjoy responding "I LOVED IT!" when people ask me how labor was and seeing the shocked faces.
What I do want to say is that I disagree with Jess that "ladies who are drugged up have nothing positive to say about labor." It can be a great experience either way when you have carefully chosen your doctor and written up your birth plan so everyone is on the same page. I'm sure there have been mothers who have given birth naturally who would ask for drugs the next time around.
My doctor was excellent and had been delivering babies for more than 30 years. I felt no pressure to do anything besides what I wanted. Maybe I'm just outspoken and wouldn't let them. I had no episiotomy and no tearing. Looking back, I enjoyed every minute of pushing and every contraction I still felt. I experienced a wonderful climax of joy as my baby was placed in my arms. I recovered quickly. I did have a wonderful experience and an epidural has not ruined my life, nor my child's life.
I just want to say that sometimes when I read articles with strong opinions against medical intervention, it hurts. I don't want to be judged for my choice to recieve drugs and will not judge you for choosing a natural birth. Expecting mothers need to research their own decisions and do what they feel is best. Please be sensitive to those who decide to do differently, as you expect the same in return.
Though none of us get a gold star, we all get our beautiful babies and hope for the best experience for us.
I have met women who went natural and would do it otherwise the next time. There are lots of factors to a good and healthy birth, many of which you touched on. Namely being respected for their decisions. If you read the blog you will see that I share positive birth stories - some are unassisted, some are c-sections, some are inductions.
It does seem though in the natural birth world that many women come to natural birth passion after a very bad medical experience. I can also say that of the birth stories I get, the vast majority are un-medicated. Those women do seem happier with their experiences overall.
Obviously there is lots of passion and emotion on the subject on both sides. Everybody is trying to do what is best for their babies.
And the truth is that natural birth mothers are a TINY minority. We find ourselves often made fun of- on national television no less and by so called professionals in the birth field. It seems that something is motivating this hatred that is beyond logical thought.
Thanks for reading!
C Marie