Introduction.

This booklet is all about making informed choices in regard to your child's birth, but it will focus on the choice you have as to whether that birth will eventuate to be a caesarean birth, a vaginal birth or a vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC).

The birth process itself sometimes deviates from our well-laid plans. We may find, upon the arrival of our baby and especially in those first few days of mothering, that the mode of birth matters less than the safe arrival of our little one. It may only be later, weeks or months after the birth of our child or even in a subsequent pregnancy, that we reflect on our past birth experience and discover that we may still harbour feelings of disempowerment - depending on how it unfolded. Especially if we feel we were not fully 'involved' in the decisions made surrounding our child's individual birth process.

Labour and birth unfold differently for each and every woman, and we can never predict what will actually happen on the 'day'. But there are ways we can improve our chances of experiencing an empowering birth -> whether that birth should be caesarean or vaginal.

Women will feel empowered during childbirth when they choose a childbirth professional that bases their client's maternity care on woman-centred, research-based practises. Such a professional will involve the Mother in all aspects of her care, informing her of her specific circumstances and the birth choices available to her in relation to these.

This involvement in decision-making during a caesarean birth, or subsequent births after a caesarean experience, enables the Mother to become truly involved in the process of birthing her children.

This basic strategy, of providing women with information about the pros, cons, risks and consequences of the various birth choices available to them, is a positive way to ensure that the rate of elective caesareans, and other related interventions, in Australia becomes appropriate. Provision of information is every person's basic right, and a legal requirement, before they can be asked to submit to a procedure or treatment. Thus providing patient information not only assists towards informed choices, it increases the 'patient's' empowerment resulting in higher satisfaction and less likelihood of litigation.

We must recognise that Childbirth Professionals can only guide women towards relevant sources of information. It's ultimately the Mother's responsibility to educate herself about the process of birth, the technology available and the risks and benefits of each available choice presented to her. The Childbirth Professional's role is that of an important confidant who can provide the Mother with guidance towards legitimate sources of such information.

The many people who have contributed to the following pages of information hope that the small amount of wisdom contained within this booklet will enable the women who read it to experience empowered births.

'With knowledge we can make choices that lead to empowerment,
and healing, through birth.'
Birthrites' philosophy .

Birthrites wishes to expressly thank Dr. David Simon. DTM&H FRANZCOG
For his valued advice, support and patience, in the collation and production of this information booklet.

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Caesarean Birth: Making Informed Choices.

Introduction.

Caesarean Birth:
Making Informed Choices.