I don't have any studies about bonding after birth, I only have my own
experience. I had a c/section with my first and after 15 attempts at a spinal
I was *put out*. Next day, I was handed this beautiful baby girl. It took me
a few weeks to call her by her name, I referred to her as The baby.
My next baby born 15 1/5 years later was a VBAC, totally drugfree. It was so
different, the bonding and my feelings about the birth. I remember on her lst
birthday, it became so apparent to me that is was my *birth day*, yes it was
the day she was born, but it was my birth day!.
 I wonder if we did research on women who neglect/abuse their children, we
would find that these were medicated, drugged births. Now, I am not saying
that women who have a drugged birth are going to abuse and/or neglect their
children. I had a drugged birth, I have a wonderful relationship with my
older daughter, I don't think we could be closer. But the fact remains that
humans do sometimes neglect/abuse their young, I don't think this happens
with other mammals. So, maybe, the use of drugs during delivery do make a
difference. Just my theory, I do get lots of discussion about this when I
suggest it, women get very defensive about their own deliveries.  But these
are the women that don't abuse/neglect their children. What about the women
that do?
Thinking out loud and probably going to get into trouble for it. I really
don't mean to offend anyone.
Roni M. Chastain, RN, LCCE, FACCE
Long Island, New York

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