Birth plans (ex. Cesarean Birth) can be a bit like weddings – vastly different depending on the birthing person. Some desire unmedicated home births, while others feel more comfortable birthing in a hospital setting with whatever interventions are offered. Some have a specific birth they’ve always dreamed of while others might just be ready to be done being pregnant. One universal truth with birth is the benefit of preparing the mind and body for our preferred option and also for potential detours.
One commonly overlooked detour is the cesarean birth. I personally prepared for a variety of variations of vaginal birth and yet did not so much as even review information regarding cesareans. When my labored induction stalled, the decision was made to proceed with Cesarean birth. At that moment, despite trusting my care team, I instantly wished I had prepared for this option so I could continue to advocate for myself and my family. It can be incredibly overwhelming to be wheeled off to surgery when that was not on your radar.
What can we do to prepare for both scheduled cesarean births and those that are deemed necessary during the labor process?
The BIGGEST thing we can do to prepare is to always consider it an option. To not vilify, judge, ignore, or resist the OPTION for cesarean birth. It doesn’t have to be our preference for us to remain open to all manners of birthing.
In my case, I knew I “didn’t want a c-section” so I chose not to deepen my understanding of it as an option. I know that many others feel this way and perhaps a deep dive into societal birthing bias could explain why.
Cesarean birth has been at times stigmatized as less empowered, pain-free, not natural, or even the “easy way out.” I and tens of thousands of mothers who have birthed via cesarean can debunk all of these stigmas.
It is not a vaginal birth but it IS birth, major abdominal surgery, an incision of 7 layers of tissue, long-term scars that require care, and a way to safely detour vaginal births that are no longer appropriate for mom, baby, or both.
When we understand what cesarean IS vs. focusing on what it is not, we can begin to objectively prepare.
Reflecting on your birth
Perhaps you might consider reflecting or even journaling on birthing biases you may have in your own heart and mind.
Had I done this I might have worked through some of my own resistance including the fact that all women in my family/extended family had experienced vaginal birth. It was important to me to maintain that standard.
Looking back, that seems silly but when we aren’t aware of our biases, they can strongly influence how we FEEL about the validity of our own birth. When we still the mind in meditation or reflection activities, we can more clearly understand our expectations.
There are many physical things we can do to prepare for cesarean birth but unequivocally I recommend opening your heart and mind to the possibility of cesarean birth.
Envisioning that as your birth outcome, becoming curious about how you feel about it, and then talking or working through any resistance that comes up.
Please know that resistance to c-sections can be totally normal both during pregnancy and even after cesarean birth.
Allowing and investigating resistance can be a critical step toward finding self-compassion and making peace with your birth regardless of how it unfolds. Pema Chodron says: “We must let go of the life we thought we would have so that we can remain open to life that is making its way into our consciousness.”
Curious about C-section scar management and mobilization for yourself or your clients? Join us live in our 90 minute C-section scar mobilization webinar or catch the recording/self-paced version on our website.