Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Hwk 42

The bond between a mother and her baby is a bond like no other; but many argue that this bond is not as strong for a mother who had a cesarean section instead of a vaginal birth. Some mothers claim that they can feel a bond with their child before they are considered as expecting. “The bond between a mother and her child begins long before birth. Many women tell how they feel babies even before conception as if some Being, in the latent state of life, were waiting for an opportunity to sprout in a “fertile ground” (Calvette). After the mother conceives, with each passing month the link between the mother to be and her baby becomes stronger; then at last the final event occurs: birth! This is the most vital time for a mother and her baby to bond as stated by many. Many individuals claim that mothers who had their babies with the help of a cesarean section are less likely to have a close bond to their child when compared to mothers who had given vaginal birth. Studies have shown to make this claim true, but mothers who have had a cesarean section say that they love all their children equally. So, which type of birth promises the mother-to-be with an affectionate love bond between her and her child? Though there might not be one answer to such a question, one can try to view several viewpoints on the topic to help them consider an answer for themselves.

Before looking at all the studies and claims that tend to prove that a mother who has a vaginal birth is more likely to have a stronger bond with her child, the science which occurs during and after birth needs to be considered. Where does the bonding between a mother and her baby begin? Well, there are several different answers to this question; some say it starts before conception, others say it starts after conception while growing throughout the nine months of pregnancy, the rest claim that it occurs the instant the mother gives birth to her infant. During labor the mother to be has oxytocin being released within her body; this is what causes her to experience the love she has for her baby right after he/she born. Oxytocin or the “love hormone” as called by many, tends to put the mother in “lala land” for the first ten minutes after giving birth (Moritz). Oxytocin plays a big role in female reproduction; it is released in large amounts after distension of the cervix and uterus during labor. This means that mothers who give birth vaginally will have a high amount of oxytocin within their bodies since their cervix and uterus will experience distension to its fullest. While having a cesarean section, this may not be applicable, since not much tension will be put towards the cervix and uterus. Prolactin is another hormone which is vital for the baby after the mother has given birth. Prolactin has many effects such as regulating lactation. It basically stimulates the mammary glands for the mother to produce milk in order to feed her infant. Breastfeeding is considered a great time for the mother and baby to bond. “Breastfeeding is an important part in establishing the bond between the mother and her baby. It only makes that bond grow every day, nourishing the baby in every possible manner as it is the perfect food. It is a time of love and connection..It is a moment to exchange glances, love, and affection, to see the baby and let love flow (Calvette).”

The bonding process between a mother and her baby can occur without any real realization; it can occurr one way or another depending on how one perceives it. Even though it is said that this attachment starts right after the mother has given birth, many claim that throughout the nine months of pregnancy the mother is able to create a strong bond with her preborn baby. Research has shown that the attachment between the two can vary depending on how the mother chooses to care for her preborn baby. All bonds between mother and baby vary; for example, mothers who enjoy concerts claim that their preborn babies “jump at the sound of drums.” Some studies have proved that a six month old fetus can move to the rhythm of its mother talking. Prenatal researchers claim that there is a connection between the mothers’ thoughts and how her preborn baby feels. When the fetus is six months old, it can share its mothers’ emotions with the help of the hormones associated with them. “Studies relating maternal attitudes to the emotional development of the offspring do indeed reveal a tendency for anxious mothers to produce anxious babies…Researchers believe that a stressed mother produces an abundance of stress hormones called catecholamines, which have been shown to, in turn, affect emotions” (AskDrSears).

When a mother has a cesarean section it is very likely that she is giving birth in a hospital, meaning that her baby will be take away from her to be weighed and cleaned up. This is what many individuals seem to be against because this is a moment considered very important for both the mother and her baby. This is what the mother has been waiting for all along; this is when physical contact is possible. “These first moments are crucial to developing the bond between the mother and the newborn and there must be as little interference as possible. The child should remain in contact with its mother’s skin since the moment it is born and never been taken away from her until it is fed, at least for the first time. This is a moment of meeting each other when they exchange affection and smells and look into each other’s eyes for the first time and that’s when this bond is established” (Calvette) When the mother gives birth vaginally, she is more likely to see her baby when it is born and make eye contact with him/her; whereas when a woman has a cesarean section, a curtain is drawn between her and her baby.

While watching the film documentary titled The Business of Being Born, mothers who gave birth naturally with the support of a midwife were the first ones to come in contact with their babies. They were able to experience birth to its fullest; by being the “doctor” of their own babies. This helped them create the bond that they were willing to create with their infant all along. “In a normal birth, the baby is still physically connected to its mother by the umbilical cord which is still attached to the placenta and the womb. As the nature is perfect, the cord is the right size for the newborn to get to its mother’s breasts and does not need to be cut immediately” (Calvette). This is exactly what was shown in The Business of Being Born; mothers who gave birth vaginally were able to come in contact with their babies the second they were born. They took full advantage of the oxytocin rush they were receiving at the time. After some time had passed, they would be seen breastfeeding their infant, with the help of prolactin. By taking advantage of both of these hormones, it was clearly seen that the mother was easily able to start a strong bond with her child from the beginning.

Studies have been done trying to prove that women who have a vaginal birth are more likely to have a better response to their babies. A few years ago, American and British scientists decided to do an experiment which provided evidence to support the claim which says women that have a vaginal birth are more likely to have a stronger bond with their child. This study was lead by Dr. James Swain, from the Child Study Center at Yale University. Within this study there were twelve women involved; six of whom who gave a vaginal birth while the other six had a cesarean section. Two to four weeks after giving birth, all twelve of these women underwent an FMRI scan of their brains while hearing the cries of their baby. The FMRI scans revealed that the mothers who had a vaginal birth had regions within their brains which were highly activated while hearing the cries of their infant. The regions within the brain which were activated were the ones that dealt with motivation, empathy, habit, emotions and reward seeking. “I suspect that the parental brain is primed by vaginal delivery and affected by neurohormonal factors such as oxytocin, a hormonelinked to emotional connections and feelings of love. C-sections may alter these neurohormonal factors and increase the risk of problematic bonding and postpartumdepression.” (Professor James Swain, M.D) Because the large amounts of oxytocin are highly present in a vaginal delivery, it tends to play a big role in the results these scientists gathered. Without oxytocin being present, such results wouldn’t have been possible.

Although there have been many studies done in the past that try to prove that a vaginal delivery tends to create a stronger bond between a mother and her baby, mothers who have had experience with both a vaginal birth and cesarean section claim no difference. Many expecting women feel that they need to research this topic in order to make the right birth plan for themselves and their baby. Some expecting mothers decide to get the advice they are in search of by directing their questions to the public. One woman posted this question on a forum online: “Do C-sections effect the bond between mother and child?” There were a number of responses received from mothers who have had experienced both type of births. Most of these responses had no complaints about the bonding experience they had with their infant. “I had a C-section with my 1st and had no probs with bonding.”…“I have had one of each birth and my answer would be NO. I love both my children and I'm very close to each of them. I bonded strongly during pregnancy with both - talking to them, singing, touching”…“Definately not...I needed to have a C-Section with my daughter for medical reasons, we bonded straight away and to this day have a wonderful relationship.”…“I've had both. My daughter vaginally and my son C-section. My son is by far the more loving and affectionate of the two” (Minti). All these women answered this question long after with their experiences with birth. Within this time they were able to create a stronger bond with their child.

Some women in the other hand complained that having a C-section delayed their bonding process. “The bonding is much harder work after a Cesarean section. I had issues with bonding - it was not automatic but it happened.”…“I had to have an emergency C-section because my son was breech and rather large (10lbs 4.5oz!) - And though it was the last thing I wanted, and I felt really detached at the time through the whole process”…“I had one vaginal birth and one C-section. I was very disappointed in the C-section I had. I think that it delays the bonding process. I had to wait a couple of hours to hold my twin boys until i was transferred to my room. Once I held them, I was able to bond with them. It was just a longer time until i was able to.” It seems that it is not the bonding itself which is affected by the type of birth the mother has; it is the actual time in which the mother and baby which are able to bond which alters. The only difference between the bonding processes of these two births is that with a vaginal birth the bonding begins right away, whereas a C-section tends to delay the attachment. In a vaginal delivery, the baby is handed over to his her mother in less time when compared to a cesarean section. Regardless, it does not seem to affect how strong the bond is in the coming years. “Just because you may only get a brief moment, if even that, with your baby, it in no way hinders the bonding process. From the moment the child is conceived, an unbreakable bond has already been forged. This bond is only strengthened every day you carry your child in the womb and every day after the baby is born…Babies do not soon forget the sounds and feelings of their mother, and they even have the smell ingrained in their memory. They could pick their mother, using smell, out of a crowd of one hundred people without even opening their eyes. They know you and you know them. No amount of time, whether immediate or later on, will ever erase these instincts” (Rumler).

Which type of birth promises the mother-to-be with an affectionate love bond between her and her child? As said before, there is no real answer to such a question. It all depends on the mother herself, and what she feels is right for her and her baby. Usually mothers want to have a vaginal birth, but at times it is not in their hands. Complications can arise without warning and the mother has to give up all her wants for the safety of her child. “The truth is you do what is safest for the baby and regardless of which way they come into the world you bond, love and nurture your little treasures” (Minti). Although vaginal births tends to create the bond between the mother and her baby much earlier compared to a birth with the assistance of a cesarean section, mothers do not complain about the bond they have with their child years after. No matter what type of a birth the mother has, she will create a loving bond with her child. She will do what is best for her child. So it is not the bond that will be affected by the type of birth a mother has; it is only the time when the mother gets to bond with her baby that is affected.

MLA Citations:

Calvette, Mayra. "The bond between mother and baby." Gisele's Blog. 06/may/2010. Web. 30 Mar 2011. .

Radowitz, John. "C-section 'weakens mother's bond with her child' ." (2008): n. pag. Web. 30 Mar 2011. .

"7 WAYS TO BOND WITH YOUR PREBORN BABY ." n. pag. Web. 30 Mar 2011. .

Rumler, Tawny. " Cesarean Section: You CAN Bond with Your Baby." Web. 30 Mar 2011.

Tink1976, . "Do c-sections effect the bond between mother and child?." 29 Sep 2006. Online Posting tominti. Web. 6 Apr 2011.

"Natural birth leads to stronger bonding between mother and baby." www.healthjockey.com. N.p., 20 Sep 2008. Web. 6 Apr 2011. .

"Oxytocin." Web. .

"Prolactin." Web. .

Moritz, Jacques. School of the Future, New York City. 01 Apr 2011. Speech.

Abby , Epstein, Dir. The Business of Being Born. Dir. Abby Epstein." 2008, Film.

3 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. Amber! You researched and investigated how a type of birth affects the bonding of a mother and her baby and included a lot of interesting quotes from various sources.

    I appreciate how much work you must have put into your project. You used a lot of very interesting information and interpreted it in a way which matches your subject. I like the fact that you had a clearly stated thesis and supported it very well throughout your writing.

    Your project is important to me, because I am very interested in the different ways bonding can be affected. My mom always tells me that the most beautiful moments of her life were when she held me and my brother for the first time. Your project makes me wonder if my mom's experience would have been the same if she had a cesarean section.
    Great work!

    Martyna

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  3. Amber,

    The bond between mother and child some say differ whether have had a c-section or a vaginal birth but some say it is even before give birth that they feel this bond. So you decided investigate this topic more deeply. A topic I had never heard of before but that many can connect to because they have been the result of a pregnancy. It made me think of my own birth and wonder what this project mean to it because I was a C-section does that my mother doesn't same bond if I would have been born vaginally? But after reading your project and from the bond I have with my mother, it doesn't affect whether was born through a C-section, like the opinion some of the woman you found research on said. But then again if I had been born vaginally, I most likely would not be here today because my mom did not dilate enough and I had the umbilical cord around my head. Only thing you could have done to make post perfect is after quotes you used was to analyze them more to support what your main argument but nonetheless good job!

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