Cesarean Prevention: Overcoming Fear

I should be sleeping not blogging, but I have come across so many interesting things tonight in the birth world that I can't quit!

This Time article is what is keeping me up now: Choosy Mothers Choose Caesareans
Thursday, Apr. 17, 2008

I want to share what came to my mind when I read the above article: The reason the woman interviewed decided on an elective cesarean was fear.

As women of God we have to realize that fear is of the devil. Part of the consequences of the fall is that Satan would have power to distress us during pregnancy and birth. Fear can be overcome through faith. Since faith requires works, that means that we have to work to combat fear. We do this through study, prayer, pondering, and fellowshipping (or seeking advice) from those who have overcome fear themselves and have given birth joyfully.

The following birth story is such an example to us! This woman's montage testifies to the fact that if we want a good birth we must STUDY. We should never believe that others have our best interest at heart. We must be educated consumers. This is the kind of woman that we want to seek advice from- look at the joy shown on her face!

My Journey to VBAC.


The mother in this montage writes on her blog:
I love Psalm 121. It’s my favorite to sing (Book of Psalms for Singing), and it’s a beautiful lullaby for my little girl.

1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
7The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
8 The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

This Psalm is lovely. What wonderful assurance: we are looked after, safe, and certainly well preserved.

It certainly was her faith that helped her to achieve an HBAC (homebirth after cesarean.) Of her labor she writes in her birth story:

Cody says that I had a new rhythm to my contractions, I’d moan and vocalize during the contraction, then “signal” it was over by three deep, long breaths, then I’d begin to snore. As soon as the next contraction began, he said my eyes would pop open, and it’d begin again.

In my book I dedicate a whole chapter to vocalizing. I write about its value and point out that it is a scripture based birthing tool that helps a woman to overcome fear and pain. You can read the Vocalizing chapter, along with the chapters titled Fear and Faith for Free.