Busting Two Common Hospital Birth Myths

“Thankfully you were in the hospital!”

Unless you are well prepared, have an advocate, and are going to a provider and setting that supports natural physiologic birth, the following are unfortunately the common scenarios. A healthy pregnant mama gets admitted to the hospital in labor, put on the continuous fetal monitor, given an IV, told she can’t eat or drink, put in bed, labor stalled, she was then given Pitocin to augment her contractions which caused fetal distress, resulting in an emergency cesarean. And they tell you, thankfully you were in the hospital. We need to send love to all who still face this prevalent “we saved your baby” after the cascade interventions that proceeded it, that often caused it all.

Another common scenario is a mama is told her baby has macrosomia - is too big (well above 9 pounds for example) and they schedule an induction, which has all the above interventions and their risks, including not creating the necessary ingredients for her to succeed in progressing to have a natural, let alone vaginal birth, and she is told she needs a cesarean for a failed induction; or they just jump to cesarean without a “trial of labor” and baby weighs up to several pounds less than the estimated weight, indicating the induction or cesarean was not even necessary in the first place.

I’ve posted often about each one of these interventions and how they are not evidence based. No animal could labor well with any one of them, so how could a human being? Each one in their own right increases risk and may lead to this cascade of interventions, stress and rescue when nothing wasn’t broken to begin with. Whether you’re planning a birth at home or birth center to avoid this scenario in the first place, or hospital, especially if it’s your first time giving birth vaginally, your excellent preparation is key. Set yourself up for success with my online Guides to Pregnancy, Birth & Postpartum. And in adjunct my Natural Birth Secrets book 2nd edition.

“We just want a healthy mom and baby.”

Heathy to medical providers and hospitals means a mom and baby who are alive without any serious unstable conditions that need immediate or ongoing attention. They are not often concerned with long term effects of their treatment - even medical ones like the disruption of the microbiome from antibiotics - especially concerning when overused and unnecessary, or the short and long term harmful impact of early cord clamping. They are not concerned with the traumatic impact of their type of treatment on mother or baby. Over 45% of mamas in US experience birth trauma - PTSD from their birth experience and how they were treated. I discuss this in depth for mom and babies in my Natural Birth Secrets book 2nd edition.

If this is your only goal YOU are selling yourself short. A live mother and baby without obvious concerning physical complications is baseline, but what about the bigger and long term picture of real health of your mind, body, heart & spirit, the health of your family? What about your experience - is it deeply positive, respectful, empowering, beautiful, sacred, personal, one you will love and treasure forever even if challenging? Do you feel heard, respected, supported? Do you feel safe, comfortable, free to labor as you want? Do you get full informed consent and your decisions and choices honored? Was your partner involved in a meaningful way? This is the most important day of your life - let it be fully and truly healthy and absolutely glorious. Make this happen with my Guide to Pregnancy, Birth and Postpartum. And compliment it with my Natural Birth Secrets Birth second edition - where I go into both of these topics in more depth, along with the research, and the safety and better outcomes from homebirth with midwives in the healthy population.

I’ve taken everything I’ve learned, trained, and supported women locally for over 28 years in my private practice and I’ve poured all of my love, passion, knowledge, and experience into creating something truly special for you… my new and updated Pregnancy, Birth & Postpartum Guides. Same Beloved Content Plus Over 40 Added Bonus Videos! Buy Here Now!

They can be used via the mobile App or on your desktop! It’s the most up to date combination of Love Your Birth and Walk With Anne for Mamas online courses at a cheaper price! And they have an option for direct access to me for your questions and concerns!!

Whether you’re an experienced or new parent, there are hours of videos, workbooks, and PDFs to answer all of your questions. Everything is searchable, so you can just type or talk and it’ll bring you right to the exact moment in the video where I answer your question. It’ll blow your mind! If English is not your strongest language, you can even change the captions or even the audio to the language you prefer. The Prenatal, Birth & Postpartum Guides can be sold separately or in a bundle to buy only the section you need or get ALL of the guides for a limited-time offer of 50% off -> RIGHT HERE!

The key to a positive birth is feeling confident, strong, relaxed, and empowered during the entire process, regardless of the twists and turns it may take. I give my full heart and all I know in everything I do to support Mommas.

Eating, Drinking in Labor and IV

Not allowing food or drink in normal labor because of risk of rare aspiration in case you need general anesthesia isn’t evidence based care, but based on outdated hospital policy and is harmful. People in labor need and want to stay well nourished and hydrated if given the choice, instead of being then connected to an IV for at least the fluids. You are running your marathon in labor. The uterus like any muscle requires nutrients to meet its energy needs. According to research from sports medicine, it is well known that for example eating carbohydrates during exercise improves performance, reduces fatigue, and prevents ketosis. Power bars and nutrient dense snacks and hydrating fluids are given out to runners along their journey. No athlete or coach would advise performing while fasting.

When supported to labor normally and naturally, risk of emergency cesarean needing general anesthesia is very low in the healthy population. This policy of fasting before surgery began in the 1940s when general anesthesia was not as safe as today and dangerous aspiration of stomach contents was more common. These days anesthesia and airway management are much more sophisticated and improved, most cesareans don’t use general anesthetics, fasting in labor doesn't guarantee an empty stomach anyway and could lead to harmful acidic stomach juices if aspirated, and aspiration causing severe lung disease & death is extremely rare today in healthy people. Free standing birth centers and homebirth midwives do not have this no intake by mouth ’NPO’ policy.

But if you are healthy and birthing in the hospital, you can absolutely allow yourself the food and drink you need. It's your body, your birth and they don’t have authority over you. Best to discuss your preferences with your provider beforehand, in pregnancy, for if they don't support you, they may not support your other plans and you might want to change providers to those who practice evidence based care & are more in alignment with your philosophies. If you choose to stay with a provider and setting that does not allow food and drink, next option is to sneak it in, and ingest them in privacy (which might mean when you are in the bathroom).

Got to stay well nourished and hydrated in labor like running your marathon.

Best labor foods are basically - whatever you want that’s nourishing and easily tolerated! Mamas tend to prefer more bland foods but not always. But you do need lots of extra quality fuel in your tank for your journey. Some favorites include organic eggs, whole grain toast and dairy or nut butter, whole grain crackers and cheese, whole grain cereal or oatmeal and dairy or nut milk, maple syrup/honey, power and granola bars, nuts and dried fruit, trail mix, dark chocolate, frozen fruit bars, fruit that’s not messy to eat.

Best drinks include water, fruit juices, herbal tea with honey, bone or miso soup broth, coconut water, smoothies, organic Gatorade, homemade labor-aid - recipe in my Natural Birth Secrets book 2nd edition.

Many who labor in hospitals that don’t allow food and drink, need IV to prevent dehydration which can cause complications needing more interventions….unless you are sneaking enough food and drinking plenty orally. If you’re pregnancy and labor are healthy are proceeding naturally, IV fluids aren’t at all necessary and may cause harm. Even the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists, the American Society of Anesthesiologists and of course the World Health Organization all recommend encouraging oral fluids instead of IV.  Why is this not happening?  Routine IV can over hydrate and decrease newborn weight and blood sugar and cause maternal swelling - even in the breasts which impairs breastfeeding, can be uncomfortable, get inflamed, infiltrated or cause infection. IV restricts needed movement in labor, undermines mama’s confidence and sense of feeling empowered and healthy. I’ve posted before on the harmful practices of restricting needing nourishment and hydration. As long as you are keeping well hydrated by drinking, you can absolutely feel no qualms about declining that routine IV.

There is also no evidence to support the IV access called saline lock for low risk laboring mamas because in case of postpartum hemorrhage. The risk of that in this population is low, & needing treatment beyond natural remedies & medications without IV even lower. An excellent practitioner can start an IV in that rare emergency.

More details in my Online Guide to Pregnancy, Childbirth & Postpartum- sold separately or discounted bundle. I’ve taken everything I’ve learned, trained, and supported women locally for over 28 years in my private practice and I’ve poured all of my love, passion, knowledge, and experience into creating something truly special for you… my new and updated Pregnancy, Birth & Postpartum Guides. Same Beloved Content Plus Over 40 Added Bonus Videos! Buy Here Now!

They can be used via the mobile App or on your desktop! It’s the most up to date combination of Love Your Birth and Walk With Anne for Mamas online courses at a cheaper price! And they have an option for direct access to me for your questions and concerns!!

Whether you’re an experienced or new parent, there are hours of videos, workbooks, and PDFs to answer all of your questions. Everything is searchable, so you can just type or talk and it’ll bring you right to the exact moment in the video where I answer your question. It’ll blow your mind! If English is not your strongest language, you can even change the captions or even the audio to the language you prefer. The Prenatal, Birth & Postpartum Guides can be sold separately or in a bundle to buy only the section you need or get ALL of the guides for a limited-time offer of 50% off -> RIGHT HERE!

The key to a positive birth is feeling confident, strong, relaxed, and empowered during the entire process, regardless of the twists and turns it may take. I give my full heart and all I know in everything I do to support Mommas.

Naturally Choosing and Determining Baby's Sex

To try to conceive a specific sex, there is a costly, invasive and controversial way of preimplantation genetic testing when doing in-vitro fertilization (IVF) or boy/girl sperm sorting with intrauterine insemination (IUI) - although not as full proof.

There is no research or science to back the effectiveness of other natural methods. The theory behind a few of them is that girl producing sperm move slower than boy producing sperm, but last longer. So, if you want a girl, try to have sex 2-3 days before ovulation, as they will still be in the fallopian tubes when egg is released. If you are trying for a boy, timing sex as close as possible to ovulation theoretically is more likely to work, as the boy carrying sperm swim faster to the egg but don’t last as long.

Another theory is based on biochemical cyclic changes in a woman’s body favoring girl or boy carrying sperm, leading to the opposite conclusion above. Having sex 2-3 days before ovulation is more likely to be. girl, 4-6 days before ovulation is more likely to be a boy, but this is confusing as male sperm are unlikely to survive that long.

There are people that swear by either of the two methods, claiming it worked for them consistently, but others got opposite results and again it’s not backed by the research. Same with sexual position - missionary for a girl baby, doggy style deeper penetration for a boy baby to help the faster swimming male sperm real their goal before the girl sperm. There is no harm in trying any of these natural methods, just no guarantees it will work.

When it comes to determining baby’s sex in pregnancy, contrary to popular thinking, sonograms can make mistakes and are not 100% accurate, possible north of 100% when done mid pregnancy, depending on the skill of the sonographer to identify the genitals of boys and girls, as is also effected by baby’s and the umbilical cord’s position. The noninvasive DNA blood test is way more accurate 98-99%, as it detects fetal blood cell chromosomes in maternal blood.

Then there is the magical surprise, not knowing as was done through history until the actual birth, when mama and her partner are encouraged to discover it for themselves. You do not need to go with the modern flow of knowing if you are carrying a boy of girl before birth and “gender“ or sex reveal parties.

I get a kick out of the old wive’s tales about detecting sex in pregnancy - some still currently practiced, like rate of fetal heart, how mama is carrying, what she senses within, and cravings. Some do swear by them, but they are myths, not reliable according to the science, research and literature.

There was actually a study based on mama’s intuition that showed it was correct about half of the time, the same accuracy as flipping a coin.

I knew an obstetrician who said he had some fun with this and made an “educated” guess, was able to detect boy or girl to mamas in his practice, but write the opposite sex in the chart. He was always “right” because either what he told mama was correct, or the opposite was in the chart, she must have been mistaken or heard him incorrectly. They always had a laugh. No reason not to have fun with this.

For more on fertility awareness to boost your chances of getting pregnant naturally, best preconception lifestyle practices read my Natural Birth Secrets book 2nd edition. It is doctor and midwife recommended guide for all stages of birth, from natural family planning and preconception, to pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Whether birthing at home, hospital or in a birthing center - even if this is not your first baby - experience the unique approach on how to have a deeply positive, empowered, and joyful journey. Included are effective holistic and natural remedies for common issues.

Once you get pregnant, prepare for the birth of your dreams with my comprehensive holistic Guide to Pregnancy, Birth and Postpartum. I’ve taken everything I’ve learned, trained, and supported women locally for over 28 years in my private practice and I’ve poured all of my love, passion, knowledge, and experience into creating something truly special for you… my new and updated Pregnancy, Birth & Postpartum Guides. Same Beloved Content Plus Over 40 Added Bonus Videos! Buy Here Now!

They can be used via the mobile App or on your desktop! It’s the most up to date combination of Love Your Birth and Walk With Anne for Mamas online courses at a cheaper price! And they have an option for direct access to me for your questions and concerns!!

Whether you’re an experienced or new parent, there are hours of videos, workbooks, and PDFs to answer all of your questions. Everything is searchable, so you can just type or talk and it’ll bring you right to the exact moment in the video where I answer your question. It’ll blow your mind! If English is not your strongest language, you can even change the captions or even the audio to the language you prefer. The Prenatal, Birth & Postpartum Guides can be sold separately or in a bundle to buy only the section you need or get ALL of the guides for a limited-time offer of 50% off -> RIGHT HERE!

The key to a positive birth is feeling confident, strong, relaxed, and empowered during the entire process, regardless of the twists and turns it may take. I give my full heart and all I know in everything I do to support Mommas.

VBAC After One, Two or More Cesareans

What is a VBAC?

A VBAC is a vaginal birth after cesarean.

If a woman has had a cesarean and wants to plan a vaginal birth for her next, it would be considered a VBAC, and the number after it depends on how many prior cesareans there were.

What are the chances of having a successful VBAC and who is a good candidate for a VBAC?

The stats range that 60-80% of women, who have had previous cesareans, are candidates for a successful VBAC. In actuality, most healthy pregnant women carrying healthy babies are candidates.

The chances of a successful VBAC are higher if a woman is using a midwife, even higher in free standing birthing centers and home settings.

Going to a hospital and working with an OB/GYN with high cesarean rates, will increase the likelihood that a woman will have another cesarean.

In some hospitals, there are a lot of restrictive procedures, like continuous electronic fetal monitoring, confining a laboring woman to lay in bed, not allowing her to eat or drink, routine IVs and time limits, which increase the risk of a cesarean.

There are many benefits to a VBAC, that are physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual.

These are only a few important benefits on the long list:

• No risks from major abdominal surgery. This is huge.  Unfortunately, a cesarean can lead to trauma to the internal organs or reproductive tract, risk of hemorrhage, complications with scar tissue, long term post operative pain, wound infection, blood clots, stroke, and possible respiratory problems for the baby. High rates of cesarean section contribute to high rates of morbidity and mortality – and this is occurring in modern countries such as the US, which ranks among the bottom of them in terms of outcome stats.

• Easier postpartum healing and recovery.

• Baby receives needed bacteria for optimal health, from mother when passing through the vaginal birth canal.

• Breastfeeding may be more successful

• No potential harm to future fertility.

• Feeling more positive about the birth experience

• Increased sense of empowerment.

• More involvement of family and support people.

• Less risk of postpartum depression and emotional birth trauma.

What is the main risk of a VBAC?

The risk of separation of the one prior uterine scar is approximately 2 in 1000 VBACs, but often it is a mild superficial dehiscence (slight separation of some layers of the surgical wound) that has no clinical significance and does not impact the health of mom or baby. The risk of severe life-threatening emergency from a partial or complete uterine rupture of all the scar layers is significantly lower – a highly unlikely occurrence, significantly less than 1 %., 1.36% after 2 cesareans, slightly higher after three cesareans, with a higher comparative maternal and newborn morbidity with each repeat cesarean - but still in perspective, low, and depends on a variety of factors related to your individual situation. The main risk is of a VBAC is this rare catastrophic rupture of the previous uterine incision. This rare total disruption of the uterine scar risks both the mother and her baby, and can lead to catastrophic outcomes. It cannot be ignored and must be monitored for appropriately; but it cannot be exaggerated or make the risk of repeat cesarean less alarming. Frank uterine rupture is often mistaken for more common mild separation of the previous uterine scar without consequence, happens in less than 1% of all pregnancies. Even ACOG released guidelines that it’s reasonable to consider women with two previous low transverse uterine incisions to be candidates for trial of labor and to counsel on the combination of other factors that affect their probability of achieving successful VBAC.

But, it is getting harder to find a provider to attend to your desired vaginal birth after one cesarean let alone after two or more. It is still possible, and you have the right to decline another cesarean, but it is ideal for you to find a provider and setting most supportive to birth YOUR way safely.

Although every decision has risks, a VBAC is a reasonable, appropriate and safe option. If a woman panning a VBAC decides to give birth at home, I highly recommend working with a well trained and experienced midwife and consider the distance to a hospital (30 minutes or less driving time is ideal).

There are risks and benefits to every kind of birth and in every setting. I provide women with evidence based information, encourage each family to dig deep and look at the pros and cons to having a VBAC in a hospital setting, free standing birthing center or home, vs a routine cesarean and have informed consent for her birth.

Are there benefits to a cesarean?

A planned cesarean is in a controlled environment, and some women find great comfort in that knowing. Perhaps a woman has had a previous traumatic, long labor the first time and they just don’t want to go through that experience again. Some women are very anxious about that and they just feel safer knowing they will have another cesarean.

I take that seriously, because she won’t labor well if she doesn’t feel safe.

Like I mentioned before, the serious risks for a VBAC can be often prevented, treated or transferred to surgical care in time, with a skilled midwife or obstetrician who is attending to the laboring women, aware and mindful of the symptoms that lead up to that.

Thankfully some hospitals are now at least allowing more time for baby to get the cord blood from the placenta, skin to skin bonding, and her partner or main support person in the operating room. Some hospitals and providers are performing “gentle cesareans” – cesareans that are family and woman centered, and try to provide the environment of a natural birth as much as possible. This is a wonderful attempt to restore humanity to birthing in the operating room

In most cases, a VBAC is a safe option.

I share the opinion of many concerned with improving maternity care and reducing our rising rates of maternal and newborn death and serious health consequences from the interventions in childbirth, that a woman should not be forced to have a major surgery against her will, rather provided research and empowered to make her own decision, considering she is having a healthy AAOG removed the previous unreasonable restriction requiring immediate availability of a surgical staff for an emergency cesarean, as most hospitals around the country, let alone free standing birth centers and home settings, do not meet this criteria. Most hospitals are not able to have a surgical staff at all times and cannot perform an emergency cesarean in under 30 minutes.

Despite this, research is showing that far too many obstetricians and the midwives they back do not offer VBACs after one cesarean, let alone more. They routinely recommend repeat cesareans because they may fear law suits, succumb to scheduling pressures, have restrictive hospital or malpractice insurance policies, and/or feel pressured to uphold certain standards among their colleagues who are not supportive of VBAC. The hands of a midwife whose collaborative obstetrician and hospital do not support VBAC can often be unnecessarily tied as well for these reasons. Most repeat cesareans are not actually medically necessary, and are commonly recommended due to various non-medical reasons. This is very concerning.

What also concerns me is that the risks of a VBAC are magnified in conversation with women, while the risks of a repeat cesarean are downplayed, so women may feel forced, afraid and powerless.

I want women to feel like they have a voice, as they do have a legal and medically ethical right to autonomy over their bodies, their births and their baby’s.

Some women who want to VBAC have limited options and local doctors in the area are only offering cesareans. Some feel they have no option other than having an unattended homebirth, or labor alone at home until the last minute without any monitoring, or not be truthful with their providers about their previous cesarean birth – all of which can increase the risks for her and her baby.

A trained and experienced midwife who is continuously with the woman in active labor, can detect concerning signs and symptoms before they can become a crisis, and she be transferred and treated in time to save her and her baby’s life and heath.  A midwife wears many hats, one of which is protecting the space so the natural process of birth can proceed with ease and grace, and another is a lifeguard – to know when and how to intervene to prevent problems or manage emergencies.  There are many wonderful obstetricians supportive of VBAC who have this training and style of practice as well; they are just harder to find.You have the right to decline the repeat cesarean, and find a more supportive skilled provider at home. There are midwives and OBs who do it and post about it around the globe. It is worth every penny to even travel quite a distance to a practice who honors your choices. You REALLY have to want it, and you must prepare as best you can to set yourself up to succeed, like it’s your Mount Everest to climb, to have your healing, redemptive beautiful healthy birth.

Last tips:

If a woman knows she wants to have another baby, I would start with research and education. Ask yourself: “What do I want and why?”

A woman should get the support she needs. Most women who have had one or more prior cesarean births have issues they need to discuss and heal from.  One of my dedications and areas of expertise is creating space so a mom can debrief, process and recover from her previous upsetting or traumatic birth experience, as well as plan for a better one next time around. Schedule a coaching call with me for more personal guidance if you need.

I tell mamas to do what they can to educate, prepare and empower themselves in a whole different way than last time as I want them to succeed, build their circle of support, and include in their birth team advocates to speak for them when they are in the heat of labor. I tell them to prepare for a natural vaginal birth. The mind, body, heart and spirit can prepare for a natural vaginal birth - and a deeply positive, beautiful and empowering one. Yes, it takes work and practice, but it is worth every penny, every effort and amount of time you put in, if this is the birth experience you want and dream about. This is one of my passions and main focus of my online childbirth prep course Anne’s Guide to Pregnancy, Birth and Postpartum - sold separately or bundled together in adjunct to my Natural Birth Secrets books 2nd edition and Trauma Release Formula 2nd edition if you need help previous healing birth trauma - both extensive but very different resources that compliment each other to heal and prepare for your different next birth.

I also recommend hiring an awesome doula, as those who have a doula are less likely to have a cesarean.

A doula is amazing because they offer the mothering comfort and support that our ancestors had.  When women would give birth in their tribe or village, and they were surrounded by mothers, aunts, sisters, grandmothers, and the other women of their community, they received that mothering support by women who were comfortable with birth and relaxed around it. Fear has no place in birth, and a doula provides needed calm and loving support.

Remember, In the end it’s not in our control, and we let go and surrender,

If you do all of these things and end up having a cesarean, it’s not a failure. There is no failure in birth. It is a birth, a belly birth, and it’s the birth of your baby and you as a mother. It is the birth of your family and your partner as a parent. Stay present, stay involved and keep a positive mindset. Focus on the blessing, that you did all that you could, and thankful for modern medicine, which saved you and your baby’s life and preserved health. Also, you can ask for a gentle cesarean, which restores humanity to the operating room by doing such things as allowing your support people in with you, enabling baby to emerge from the incision simulating as much as possible a vaginal birth to help baby clear his/her own lungs, enabling you to participate by lowering the drapes so you can see your birth, giving you sterile gloves to receive your baby, optimal umbilical cord clamping so baby can benefit from the cord blood, encouraging immediate skin to skin bonding and early breastfeeding.  

Healing can occur afterwards, and may take time and lots of support. But there is no place for shame and negative self judgement here.