Positive Birth in a Modern World

While nothing about the physiology of birth has changed, the way women give birth has evolved from the cruelty of twilight sleep to the apparent ease of walking epidurals. The focus has shifted to easing of suffering, speeding things up or merely bypassing nature completely by scheduling surgery to remove the baby. Interventions that are meant to resolve complications are being used to prevent complications. Hospitals and doctors are becoming increasingly risk-averse due to malpractice suits and women are being coerced into a system that does not support choice. As a modern, educated woman you are part of a generation that is used to being in control of your life and at work. You may find it difficult to let go and accept that birth is a process that cannot be 'managed' like a work project. A positive birth experience is dependant on many factors, not just whether your baby was born vaginally or surgically. A positive birth experience is one where you confidently participate in all the choices and decisions during pregnancy and birth and engage in the transformation of growing and birthing your baby. The way your baby is born is important but either way, your baby WILL be born one of 3 ways: You will go into labor (spontaneously or induced) and give birth vaginallyYou will go into labor (spontaneously or induced) and require an emergency c/section You will have an elective (planned) c/sectionThis book will take you through the factors that you will need to consider when you are faced with the choice of how and where you will give birth, and what you can do to ensure that it is a positive and empowering life experience rather than a medical emergency.