I apoligize to anyone who receives LLLOL & LACTNET both for seeing the
following in both locations, but since the subject seems to be generating so
much discussion I felt I  wanted  to share my view with both locations.

My first child was delivered after a very long and  exausting 24 hour
induction. I had had medically indicated bedrest for 4 weeks before my
delivery due to hypertension and was probably a stacked deck for a cesarean
delivery before I even entered the hospital! My labor had a complication or
two but I eventually was taken to a delivery room for the pushing stage of
labor where I worked HARD for 2.5 hours only to be told that a cesarean
delivery was indicated. When the surgery began it became apparent that the
epidural I had been given was patchy and inefficient...I felt it all. Okay, I
admit that I felt "raped" by the medical establishment and very angry. I did
hear myself refered to  as the "section in room 2" quite often. It never
occured until I was at my next LLL meeting listening to others birth stories
 that I hadn't "given" birth, I had just accepted that what had happened to
me was the normal way to feel. I should mention that my OB was not at fault
for the bad epidural scene and the hospital did deal with the resident who
had incorrectly done my block. I agree with many of you that it is
disheartening to be refered to as a procedure and not a person. Does that
mean that the OB floors are staffed by heartless nurses? I think not... In
 my case there were several moms delivering on the same day as me. At least
by refering to me as "the section" the nurses and Drs. seemed in my book to
be saying I was different. Afterall, we all can agree that a cesarean is
diferent than a vaginal delivery.I guess I'll probably stand alone when I say
that being referred to as a section wasn't all bad...
Calm down now...I am not saying my delivery was fun or that all cesareans are
needed.With my second child I attended Bradley classes and I was determined
to mend my broken ego about failing at birth by having a VBAC this time. I
guess it wasn't meant to be...I labored drugfree quite well until I dialated
to 9.At that point I felt increadible pain and told my husband that I needed
an epidural fast...something hurt in a "bad" way suddenly. I got some relief
from the test dose but the epidural was not truly in affect when the OB felt
the baby was in some danger from the variances in the heartrate with each
contraction. I agreed to an attempt at a forceps and the epidural was boosted
up for the procedure. To cut to the chase... I ended up with another
cesarean...this time however it was't "bad" ,it was good. The surgery saved
my daughters life and mine...I had a severe rupture and was in surgery for
repairs for over 3 hours. Call me silly, but how my children arrived on this
earth just does not matter now. The fact that they are here and I am too is
all that really matters isn't it?
Does a medical phrase make my deliveries any less than a beautiful birth
experiance?  I think not...I had babies because I wanted to love them and
 didn't do it to worry about whether the way I did it was going to be
described in a  p.c. fashion . I mean no offence to those who are not
comfortable with the terminology used on OB floors. I only wish to point out
that as long as my children call me mama the hospital can refer to me as a
nut case for all that it matters now.

  WarmLLLy yours, Cyndy Glasscock LLLL  &  mama to Joshua 3.5 & Caitlin 1