the other day in clinical placement, i got to watch a caesarean section for the first time. it was an amazing opportunity, beautiful in it’s own unique way, and for lack of a better term, it was “cool”.
the mother began with an epidural and then surgeon opened her up layer by layer until he reached the uterus. the explosion of amniotic fluid and blood from the intrusion of the uterus from the scalpel surprised me. what surprised me even more was how far the surgeon had to reach inside the uterus to “scoop” up the baby. the baby girl was covered in vernix and blood and fluid which to some may be repulsive but it was amazing, like a biological piece of art produced by the mother. the scariest part was watching respiratory therapist insert the tube to suction the mucous and fluid in the lungs to help the baby breathe. the facial expression the baby made while the therapist inserted the tube made my heart leap for her. it reminded me that babies are so fragile and little and hurting them or causing pain is the last thing i want. (insert controversial comment on male circumcision)
watching a caesarean section also brought to my attention how medicalized the process of birthing has become. the lack of skin-to-skin immediately after delivery and ability for the mother to bond and touch with her daughter are difficult to overcome during a caesarean section when the doctors have to stitch the mother back up after the birth. i have yet to see a live vaginal birth but from videos and clips in class and workshops, i know i have already developed a preference and bias towards natural birth. but to each their own, whether someone wants the “manhattan c-tuck” (eye roll), a painless birth, or a natural childbirth. so many options, so many opinions…
i guess it’s time to finish that reflection paper on this experience… :(
