Birth Book Part 1

Peggy Vincent, Baby Catcher Chronicles of a Modern Midwife, Scribner, 2003.

Precis:
Painless Birth: Peggy Vincent talks about her personal experiences of giving birth to her son Collin and daughter Jill. While giving birth to Collin, Vincent experiences some complications caused by her infused tailbone which is normally supposed to function like a swinging door. While in labor she refused to take drugs because she had set her mind on having a birth without taking any medication. But after dealing with hours of unexpected excruciating pains she is forced to ask for half a dosage of drugs. After giving birth she regrets this decision. Once again, 2 years later Peggy finds herself pregnant; this time being in labor isn’t as bad as her first experience. This time she is able to have a natural birthing experience, without any use of drugs and for this she is very proud.

Quotes:
“That little blue book of lies had said, “Pushing is a relief. Finally you can work with your body.” I’d believed it. I’d said it myself to rooms full of unsuspecting, pregnant women. “Pushing will feel wonderful. You’ll love it.” Bullshit. Pushing hurt worst of all.” (pg. 51)

Having obtained a career as a midwife, Peggy believed that her experience with birth would be no problem at all. Little did she know that she knew almost nothing about giving birth; while giving birth to Collin she behaves as if she is totally new to the topic of birth and being in labor. I guess the quote “It’s easier to say than to do” applies here. As a midwife it is Peggy’s job to make the environment as comfortable as possible for mothers who are expecting. Before experiencing labor and birth on her own, Peggy had an opposite approach to such a situation, but after experiencing it herself she feels shameful knowing that she wasn’t much help to mothers she helped give birth.

“Your tailbone’s fused.” The tailbone should operate like a swinging door; mine was latched.” (pg. 51)

From what I have heard being in labor and giving birth is an experience of its own. Each and every woman has a different view on this topic based on their own thoughts, feelings, and what they have heard from others. In Peggy’s case I feel that the situation with her tailbone was like a cherry that topped an ice cream sundae. It was one extra thing she had which made her labor and birth experience special. It was a bittersweet factor which was unexpected and painful at the time, but I am sure that when she recalls this moment she feels somewhat proud of being able to get through this very tough situation. Even though there were some drugs used for Collin’s birth, I feel that Peggy played a fair game.

“We went home the next morning . Joy flooded my whole being, and right behind it came pride. I felt so smug. Smug that I’d figured out how to labor painlessly. Smug that the thought of drugs never entered my mind. Smug that I had a boy and a girl. Smug at how terrific I felt, like miss America with a tiara, cape, and a bouquet of long-stemmed roses. “ (pg. 54)

I don’t really understand why mothers feel so proud about bringing home a new being to their home. I am sure that I will have the same response in the future but why is this? I think this may be a sense of achievement. Dealing with the whole process, such as making all the doctor visits, eating carefully, making sure to take good rest, etc. After giving birth it seems like you are given a reward for all this hard work. You finally get to see what you put all your hard work into; you finally get to see what he/she looks like and what you had been taking such well care of. I think it’s only after giving birth when it all comes true. Before giving birth, mothers seem like they are aware of a fact that is almost impossible to believe, but when they actually get to see that tiny little creature that came from within, only then they are able to believe the truth without any doubt.

Thoughts:
After reading this specific chapter I realized that no matter how much research one may have done on a specific topic, you have learned almost nothing until you have experienced it yourself. I remember earlier in the unit I asked the question “how helpful are parenting books?” As I was reading this chapter I thought back to when I asked this question. Everybody has a different view on each and everything. For birth it seems to be the same case; some mothers have an easier time going through it while others have a harder time with their experience. One child may be born with greater difficulty while the other is born without giving much complication. I think the same applies for the question I had asked earlier. There are a number of methods out there that may help mothers deliver their babies with much more ease, but the author has almost no knowledge until she has experienced it herself. I don’t think these books really do much help to the expecting mother; instead I feel as if it creates more tension for the parents to be, especially the mother. It gives them a number of unnecessary things to think about and gives them an opportunity to think about negative outcomes as well, in return causing overwhelming amounts of stress.