Wow! I was just over at Science Codex and I read about a new study in The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, about the effects of natural childbirth (in this study, vaginal birth) vs. cesarean birth on a mother’s responsiveness to her baby.  The study measured the brain activity of mothers who birthed vaginally vs. those who birthed by cesarean, and found that the mothers who birthed vaginally were much more responsive to their babies’ cries.

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They also found that the mothers who birthed by cesarean were at a much higher risk for developing postpartum depression.  A mother suffering from postpartum depression would be much less capable of caring for her infant successfully.  Studies have shown that babies of mothers suffering from postpartum depression often suffer developmentally, emotionally and behaviorally due to a poor bond with their mothers. (http://www.helpguide.org/mental/postpartum_depression.htm)

This is somewhat disturbing, considering that nearly 30% of women now deliver their babies by cesarean each year, and that number is on the rise.  Many mothers are opting for this major surgery due to the media’s glamorization of it, or out of fear of experiencing pain or damaging their bodies.  Many others are just unable to push their babies out because of the pain medication they received or the position in which they were forced to labor.  And some mothers have to receive cesareans because their babies become distressed during labor due to these drugs.

Only a small, small portion of women are actually physically unable to birth vaginally.  Only about .5% according to Ina May Gaskin, the country’s leading midwife.  Most of the cesareans done today are unnecessary and are caused by the drugs, the confinement to bed during labor, unhealthy lifestyles, and other interventions during labor that interrupt the natural flow of labor and birth.

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Please prepare yourself for your birth.  Eat healthily and prepare for your baby’s natural delivery into this world.  You want the very best for your child.  Natural birth is the way to acheive this.  If I can help in any way, please contact me by commenting or by emailing me at staceykopp@hotmail.com.