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Natural Birth
welly01
member
Bradley video on episiotomy
welly01
member
Last night we went to our first Bradley class. While discussing the upcoming classes, our teacher mentions that in class 4 we watch a video of an episiotomy and use of forceps. I'm not really keen on watching any graphic birth videos, but I'm starting to think that maybe I shouldn't watch this video in particular. My biggest fear of labor and birth is tearing or having an episiotomy (besides a c-section). If she shows the video, I want her to explain why this is bad and explain EVERY SINGLE THING that I can do to avoid one. I just don't want to watch a video that will only serve to scare me and not offer any solution.
I think we will enjoy the Bradley method and I believe I am committed to doing what it takes to have a natural birth, but I don't want to be scared to death of every other alternative just because it is not the optimal choice. I want to be well educated and prepared for natural birth, but I've also realized that it is very important for me to understand that sometimes medical intervention is necessary for a healthy mom and baby.
Has anyone watched this video or have any feedback? Thanks!
BFP #1 3/2/12, T born 11/7/12
BFP #2 7/2/14, CP 7/6/14
BFP #3 8/28/14, MMC 10/2/14 @ 9wks - misoprostol 10/6/14, D&C 11/3/14 for retained tissue
BFP #4 12/25/14, EDD 9/7/15 - please stick baby, you are so loved and wanted!!!!!
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Re: Bradley video on episiotomy
In my own labor preparations, I found it most helpful to get as much information as possible from my doctors on the procedures I was most fearful of, so that I wouldn't have a panic attack while in labor because I didn't know what was going on/why a certain thing might be the best course of action. I don't think it helps much to hear the statistical average - it's much more important to know what your midwife/ob does.
Generally, episiotomies are rather rare these days. A lot of things that the Bradley course addresses are procedures that are out of favor (we didn't watch this video). Incidentally, to give you a sense of how much things change over time, in Bradley's book he talks with pride about performing them and that the woman didn't even know at the time.
We may have seen one in our Bradley class, but not just to show an episiotomy, but to show a difficult birth that needed a few interventions. I vaugely remember seeing one. We did not see any forceps delivery.
From a girl who is very anti c-section/surgery. I had an unmedicated emergency episiotomy and it ended with a bigger tear (4th degree) and the repair and recovery were really minor - not much worse than my 1st degree tear with my first kiddo. Not that my experience will help, but I bet seeing it and recovering from one are very different. Seeing it is way worse than living it IMO.
...baby #3 is here...
I think it's important to know about the various procedures that could be done, but I know for me, personally, seeing them would not help me in any way. I'd rather just get a description of what happens without the images that I know would be stuck in my brain, replaying over and over.
Sometimes, I'm hilarious.
DH and I also took the Bradley class and discussed them, but did not watch. It is important to keep in mind a few things with Bradley:
1. He is very rigid in his opinions. (I have met nurses who practiced with him.)
2. His book/class believes in informed consent. This means, despite fear, I suggest doing all the research you can. (For me, that meant watching videos as well, but I am a visual learner.) It is important to know as much as you can about a procedure and how it will affect you and your baby before agreeing whether it is an episiotomy or constant fetal monitoring, all the way up to major interventions like induction and c-sections. Coach needs to know these too because he is "hopefully" more logical while you are focused in labor emotions.
3. He started practice in an era when very few natural births happened in the U.S. so his opinions are fighting a very strict system that medicated/restrained without question and the husband was not even a witness to birth.
This being said, I do enjoy the method and I know it has helped with the pregnancy thus far and I feel more prepared for birth than many of the MTBs in my circle do. I chose Bradley to get my husband prepared, learn about variations and when they are necessary, and because I felt it was the most hospital-friendly natural method.
This exactly. While I did hypnobabies and not Bradley I don't see a benefit of watching an episiotomy video. I think anything that may breed fear is counteractive to the birthing process. Fear just slows the process down.
Like pp said most drs won't do them anyways and if they do it is typically in an emergency situation. I was against getting it myself until I had been pushing two hours and DD's heart rate started dropping. At that point I just wanted her out and OK! I didn't feel anything except heat and tingling When they cut despite being unmedicated so while it all sounds scary I don't think its anything to worry about.