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Angelina Jolie is hoping to have a natural delivery for the upcoming birth of her twins. According to an “insider” (gotta love those anonymous, chatty insiders) Angelina was planning on a natural birth with 2-year-old daughter Shiloh and was disappointed when she had to have a C-section instead. This time Angie’s really hoping to go the natural route – twice.
Amid swirling reports that Angelina Jolie is on bed-rest and close to giving birth — so close, that the French media jumped the gun and announced the actress had already delivered her twins last week — the heavily pregnant actress has begun telling friends that she hopes to give birth naturally to her twin girls.
“She prepared for a natural child birth for Shiloh and was very disappointed when her doctors told her she would have to undergo a Cesarean section,” a source close to Angelina tells OK!. “She is praying everything will go her way and she will be able to enjoy a natural birth.”
[From OK! Magazine]
According to OK! Brad and Angie are quasi-fanatical about the safety of their babies. Luckily they don’t sound like they’re J-Lo crazy, and aren’t requiring surgical masks and hand sanitizer dispensers be installed around their home. But they do have a plethora of security, along with a midwife and two private nurses. The source also says there’s no way Angelina will be able to go full term with the babies.
The most important thing to Angie, however is to protect her babies. The actress and her partner Brad Pitt are taking every pre-caution to ensure a safe delivery, reserving a private birthing room at Le Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace in Monaco, and hiring a midwife and two French nurses who are currently staying with her at Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen’s compound in St.-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.
“Whether Angelina experiences natural childbirth or has a scheduled C-section, she will not go to full term with the twins,” the source says. “She’s been told to expect the babies early, and that was the reason she and Brad went early to France — so they would be ready for their babies whenever they decide to make their appearance.”
[From OK! Magazine]
It sounds like they’re putting in the expected amount of planning for massive celebrity babies. Twins seem to be all the rage right now. Julia Robert, Jennifer Lopez, and now Angelina. I bet she ordered them that way; gotta stay trendy.
Here’s Angelina at the “Kung Fu Panda” Photocall in Cannes on May 15th. Images thanks to PR Photos.
Written by JayBird
Posted in Angelina Jolie, Babies, Births, Brad Pitt, Brangelina, Photos, Pregnant
95 Responses to “Angelina planning a natural birth; won’t go full term with twins”
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This information came directly off her application for sainthood. What a load of crap! “the most important thing is for her to protect her babies”?? Yeah, that’s why she had her first one in a third world county. Her first priority is to protect herself from the paparrazzi.
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Wait… I thought after one c-section, almost all the time the next births have to be by c-section too? Obviously, I’m not a doctor and I have never been pregnant, so I don’t know.
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lol..I´ve always said I wouldn´t mind getting very heavy while preagnant, its part of the magic and its when ya start to realize that life is not only about yourself anymore and theres much more important things in life, like our child!
of course getting rid of all the weight after the birth is a whole another story!…
but as far as I know natural birth is not very much recommended when you previously had c-section, even more when the next ones in line are twins!
Although, in this case I think she will be able to have all the support she might need…so not much of a big deal, I guess. -
it’s totally possible to have vaginal birth after a c-section.
In fact a lot of obgyns recommend it.
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yes, after a C-section (especially after only 2 years) you are most likely to have another C. She can certainly try for a natural birth, but not if it endangers the babies (i.e. if they are breech). and twins are full-term at 38 weeks so obviously she wouldn’t go to 40.. that would be so nice to have two baby nurses!
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It should depend on the needs of the individual pregnancy. The problem, really, is that the U.S. is so C-section-happy. Our rate is much higher than the norm for developed countries, according to the World Health Organization. While many C-sections are medically necessary for the health of mother and/or child, many others seem to be for the convenience–and possibly financial benefit–of the doctor.
Maybe that’s why Angelina wants to have these babies in France–because she’ll have more options based on the needs of her and the babies, rather than on third-party interests.
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They “are quasi-fanatical about the safety of their babies” until they’re born/adopted, then they get free run and no boundaries.
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I’m just impressed that she can wear heels! This was not an option when I was pregnant. Too swollen, too clumsy, too much!
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Kate - she had Shiloh in Africa, not the US so I doubt those stats affected her much. I’m sure she’s being monitored super closely. Thing is, docs dont’ recommend over 2 c-secs so if this is also a c-sec, she may be dunzo having kids.
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^ What a childish response. ^
“She has too many STIs/Diseases”
How old are you? 15? I think it’s time to leave jealousy in high school.Either way, C-Section or Vaginal birth. I think it’s going to be a long haul. Twins are never easy. Imagine popping out 6 lbs of living breathing existence…and then double that experience. lol. Good for her. France has a great healthcare system.
And about Shiloh’s birth, don’t knock third world countries, they’ve been having babies come into this world just fine CENTURIES before “western” notions took root.
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Kate - sorry, that has to be one of the most backasswards things I’ve ever heard. Do you have any idea what the % of malpractice claims against doctors for conducting even garden variety surgeries (tonsils, C-sections, appendectomies, ect.) are like these days?
Any doctor with half a brain is going to opt for natural anything over surgery just to cover their own asses. Besides, most General Practitioners refer their patients to surgeons for any kind of serious issues, so they’re not the ones making bank when you go under the knife.
Outside of that, I hate the term ‘natural’ childbirth. Unless you’re squatting in a field somewhere ready to cut the umbilical cord with a sharp stone, there is NOTHING ‘natural’ about modern birth.
Unless you count having a needle inserted into your spine, local anesthetic, surgical sutures, incubators (very likely since it says she’s being induced), ultrasound, climate control, and a dedicated medical staff as ‘natural’ that is.
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That’s probably the healthiest Angelina has looked in years…pregnancy definitely agrees with her…she’s gorgeous.
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“Unless you’re squatting in a field somewhere ready to cut the umbilical cord with a sharp stone, there is NOTHING ‘natural’ about modern birth.”
Expected from a man. Sorry pal, unless you’ve actually gone through ‘natural modern child birth’ yourself, you have no room to talk.
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Natural childbirth is possible after a c-section - however, most doctors don’t recommend it if you had a vertical incision, there is a high risk of rupture. If your previous c-section was a horizontal incision the risk of ruptures are extremely low.
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Girls, relax, everything’s all right, Dr Scott’s on the premises. Relax and breathe easy.
Hey Scott, how come a bigshot fancy-pants expert like you has time to be on here putting all us ill-informed ladies to rights? You should be over there in France-land giving Ang & Brad the benefit of your vast expertise.
Always the same. It’s not what you say, it’s the agressive, snarling way you choose to say it. You always know best and everyone else always falls short. Never leaving room for a normal conversation. SO off-putting.
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I didn’t say it was easy, my wife had an epidural and gave birth vaginally. All I’m saying is the term ‘natural’ childbirth is ridiculous. Natural means found in nature, and none of the things I mentioned are found in nature.
If anything, I was making the point that a C-section is no more ‘unnatural’ than modern vaginal birth in most first world countries. Hell, Julius Caesar was born a few thousand years before the hypodermic needle was a pipe dream.
And Geronimo, please remove the stick from whatever orifice my comments wedged it into. I responded because I’m tired of comments like Kate’s that paint doctors wholesale as a dickwads that care more for their cars and golf game than their patients. These people go to work every day and try to help people with the proverbial Sword of Damocles hanging over their collective heads waiting to fall the first time they slip up.
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So what is it? Bummed or fascinated?
On Shiloh’s birth:
“We were in this little hospital in Africa when Shi was born. I don’t think there was anybody else in the hospital. It was just a little cottage, the three of us. It ended up being the greatest thing…. I had a C-section and I found it fascinating. I didn’t find it a sacrifice and I didn’t find it a painful experience. I found it a fascinating miracle of what a body can do.” (Vanity Fair interview)I remembered this quote because so many people act like a c-section is a horrible thing. When I told a friend I was having one with my girls she actually told me “Too bad you won’t actually experience childbirth”! Really? I feel I most certainly gave birth to my girls!
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Annie, i doubt it is jealousy. Katie just does not like angelina. I have seem people type worst about her.
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Scott, you might not agree with my interpretation of motive-and that’s fine, that’s just my opinion-but are you also disputing the statistics? Can you explain them some other way, such as women in the U.S. have quantifiably more dangerous pregnancies and deliveries than women in European countries (for example), so more C-sections are required? And can you provide a source?
And gblinda, I know she had Shiloh in Africa. My point is that she may have wanted to be somewhere other than the U.S. for this delivery if she wants to avoid a C-section unless absolutely required.
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scott: “I didn’t say it was easy, my wife had an epidural and gave birth vaginally. All I’m saying is the term ‘natural’ childbirth is ridiculous. Natural means found in nature, and none of the things I mentioned are found in nature.”
…sooo, having my baby at home with no drugs (yes, epi’s definately UNnatural) and having my husband catch the baby as it comes sliding out, and having him cut the cord… is that un-natural? … just trying to understand what you mean. we live in america, in easy driving distance from a hospital. but hospitals are definately not the way we would choose to go, unless it was necessary to save a life…
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I just don’t beleive we can trust anything a “source” says about their decisions or plans. They keep that stuff quiet. For example: Ang was mad at Jack Black for confirming the twins. Also, just the other day we heard about some false info from some imposter source, right? With the two of them, I’ll believe it when i see it.
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Yes BC, that is natural. If she was doing that, I would call it natural. I’m not even an advocate of natural birth, I just think it’s ridiculous to call what she’s doing natural birth.
Kate - There are two stats that run hand in hand when it comes to first world countries and c-sections: teen and late in life pregnancies. We have a disproportionately high level of both in this country, and both categories are much more likely to require a C-section than a woman of more appropriate childbearing age.
This is the same reason we have an abnormally high level of infant mortality as well. Both of those stats are used regularly to ‘prove’ how much better European medicine is than ours. The fact is though, our medicine is allowing women to get pregnant that normally wouldn’t be able to, but the risks are obviously much higher.
Seriously, no doctor is going to advocate unnecessary surgery these days, it’s too big a risk for the minor payoff it represents.
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Hmmm. Only a marginal improvement in your approach. Baby steps.
Ok, I’ll remove my stick when you learn how to discuss something without needing to always be right or needing to call people, in a really agressive manner, on their supposed shortcomings. Deal?
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Continuing the anecdotal emphasis we seem to be following, Scott, I know plenty of women in their 20s who had C-sections, many after scheduled inductions.
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I can’t wait to see how truely heated this thread gets. Its well on the way…
And as for twins, one of my best friends had a set 12 weeks ago & they were about a week or so early. Muliple babies are rarely carried to full term.
As for Maria’s comment… how on god’s green earth would you know the state of Angelina’s “down there?” I bet a check of Maria’s IP address would would reveal the other names she has posted under.
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Um, also, what’s “appropriate childbearing age,” and who gets to define that? Christ…I can’t believe I’m stepping into this!
Good for Angelina for trying to have the childbirth that she wants. Personally, I’m due with twins in November, and am hoping to have them vaginally.
There, is that better than “naturally”? LOL
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Scott, first of all, obs are actually surgeons - they’re not GPs. So your claim re GPs referring people to surgeons is irrelevant. And while you’re right that there are some medical reasons for C-sections, there are also tons of studies to show that Americans have an abnormally high rate of C-sections that can’t be explained by medical necessity. While many women are opting for elective C-sections, there’s also a lot of evidence to indicate that doctors are pushing C-sections more than they used to (this is also related to the fact that the number of births occurring during normal business hours has risen rapidly in the US - docs don’t want those middle-of-the-night phone calls). In fact, with re to the malpractice claim, many doctors see an early C-section (before there’s an actual medical need - an emergency) as a way to avoid malpractice claims down the road. So please do some research before jumping to conclusions and jumping over other posters.
As for natural births, you seem to be missing the point that when someone says they want to do natural childbirth that is not the same thing as saying they want to have a vaginal delivery (as opposed to a c-section). A natural childbirth means one without epidurals, episiotomies, etc.
If you really want to learn about childbirth in America - instead of just spouting off opinions - I highly recommend as a starting place the book “The Thinking Woman’s Guide to a Better Birth.”
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Bodhi, pass the popcorn!
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FWIW, I just had baby #2 via c-section. Baby #1 (2 years ago) was an emergency c-section after 3.5 days of labor. My OB recommended the c-section for #2, because she said that laboring against the first scar was dangerous for me (especially given the circumstances of the first birth). Yes, women do VBACs, but generally, OBs don’t like them. Mine was willing to let me try if I *really wanted to*, but would have spent an hour going over all the possible scary problems and complications in order to get my informed consent.
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Yeah, that comment is smiley worthy
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None of it is true. It’s just more lies from Angelina.
She didn’t think about the safety when she flew pregnant with twins to Iraq, or continues to fly constantly “just for fun” which are not recommended nor safe.
Moreover, she planned a c-section in Namibia and scheduled a doctor and other medical staff to fly for the delivery of Shiloh.
Had she opted for a natural birth, she couldn’t know the exact time she would be giving birth…
There is nothing “safe” about giving birth in a beach in Namibia.
Even if you shut down the beach and have a team of local servants.Once you had a c-section- your next time would be a c- section. Esp. if you have twins… (more risks involved).
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I assume Angelina has already given birth, and that is the reason she is not out (even on the balcony) since last week.
She was out all the time and even flashed her tits and went for shopping or tanning on her balcony for the photogs to see and take her pictures ALL THE TIME.
Angie is in hiding since she has already had the babies and is obesessed with looking thin and wants to cash on the baby pictures.
She wants to face the camera when she is more relaxed and lost some weight, so she is lying (again) about the actual date of birth.
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Lola, I’ve got a chilled glass of Sancerre here if you’d like one
*puts feet up on table*
*throws a kernel of popcorn into Bodhi’s mouth* -
I’ll have a glass too. This is getting interesting. I love all the conspiracy theories!
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Wait, Wait! I think I’ve worked it out. Angelina was never pregnant all along. It was all a ruse to get publicity for Kung-Fu Panda. She’s going to reveal that really she’s carrying 2 pandas which she’ll donate to China if they free Tibet.
Wow this Sancerre is really good stuff. -
jolie-pitts=nasty says:
i hope her belly splits wide open and those nasty babies come spilling out onto the floor of a stapf infected hospital =)I think you need to look at what is making you so unhappy in your own life to say such horrible things about people you don’t even know. The smiley face at the end makes it all that more sadistic.
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My god, the anger! Pass that popcorn, ladies!
I hope Riri posts again, he/she knows SOOOOO much about Angie. It’s great to get the real scoop!
As for Jolie Pitts Nasty - that’s just disgusting and inhuman. You should be ashamed.
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most women who are preggers with twins do not carry full term. thanks for the entertaining comments. i think i’ll have a glass of wine too.
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ooooh pop corn and wine!!! Can I watch too? I’ve got Bombay Sapphire gin, crisps and hummous
Personally I think it was Colonel Mustard in the kitchen with the candelabra
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Hey! I just got back from the store…who wants a beer and wings to go with the show? How many more comments you think CB is going to rack up on this post? lol
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my brother was born in 79 and back then there was no epidural. it took a full fletched knock-out c-section. it took my mother hours to wake up and she couldn´t breastfeed him at first. that was kinda traumatic for her. then, 2 years later, i was born. vaginally. we had to stay in hospital for 2 weeks and while i was born there were three doctors and one surgeon around just to be prepared because of the old scar.
so all you people claiming that you can´t give birth vaginally after you had a c-section: please feel free to use these things they call books or at least google if you want people to take you seriously
every birth is different and a risk as well. i guess with twins it´s even more risky. if she needs all these people to feel safe so be it, it´s her right.
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Kaiser- It’s the doctor’s call. Called a VBAC (vaginal birth after delivery) there are factors to consider but the risk is that the uterine muscles were sliced. Though healed there is a chance of a uterine tear while delivering vaginally. Although healed it would be really hard to use them to push out a baby in births that follow. This is from my Obgyn so that is how I know- I wanted a c section and she insisted no, avoid at all costs as it actually takes longer to heal and it is major surgery and not the ‘easy’ way people assume it to be. So they like to only use that when needed. So I had to push mine out. I had meds but.. worst pain ever. No one ever tells you that.
It’s technically possible to have a vaginal delivery after c sextion (ooh. Fun typo I’m keeping it) but it’s called
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Our cat once gave birth to 7 kittens through the night. She did it all by herself - no epidural, nothing. We had to clean the kitchen floor a bit afterwards.
I’m ready for some of your Bombay, Mairead. -
it´s not only “technically” possible, i am living proof
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You just have to be special Anni, dontcha?
(only kidding
)Wow. Your cat is such a heroine mamalicious!
Angie WISHES she had such a feline uterus just so she can steal the limelight back from the puss puss 
Maybe she’s in hiding not because she had the twins, but she’s actually had a litter instead
7-up or tonic water with the gin?
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i´ll have tequila. bottle, not shot.
my cat only had six, but it´s impressive nonetheless for the first litter. i find kitten cuter than babies. sue me.
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ok…post #34 was pretty heinous even by my standards
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANGIE!!!
GOOD LUCK WITH THE NEW BABIES…AND ALL THE REST OF ‘EM
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I was lucky to have had my twin boys naturally…although they were a month premature. Its very rare to go full term with twins…there just isnt enough room in the womb once the woman gets to about 8 months. This i know!
Angelina can have them naturally if both babies are turned and their heads are down. They might even have her birth one of them naturally and then do an emergency c-section to remove the second baby if it isnt turned right. Its quite common. I was lucky that both my boys turned.
I wish her luck…its not easy with twins…although she is used to her menagerie, so this might just be nothing to her. Plus she has help…unlike me.
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I’m looking forward to the baby pics. Shiloh was/is adorable and these two will be no exception. The best part is the pics will be posted and I won’t have to buy the magazine!!!
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What I find interesting is how people act as if “natural” childbirth is somehow morally superior.
I wasn’t able to have an epidural because our hospital was too small and there wasn’t enough staff, but honestly, I would have taken a needle in the eye if it would have made it less painful!!
Whenever anyone says to me “but childbirth is natural!” I respond, “so is death and disease, but we still try hard to make THOSE less painful!!”
I’m all for C-sections, drugs, more drugs and anything a woman can get that will help her get through labour and birth (and is still safe for the baby, of course) -
She is just plain spoiled!
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Sorry Anni-but your are dead wrong about not having epidorals available in 1979. I have 3 children born in 1969,1970 and 1972 and I had an epidoral for each one of them.Sooooo I guess they were available before 1979.
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1) Yes, you can have a vaginal birth after a cesarean. In fact, given the huge range of risks from cesareans, higher risk of stroke for the mom, risks of asthma, allergies etc for the baby, 2-4X higher risk of death for the mother due to the fact that it’s major abdominal surgery… it’s a much safer plan to go vaginal for the vast majority of women. (Yadda yadda there are of course exceptions, I’m sure there will be plenty of miffed mamas who post all about their own TOTALLY necessary cesareans, etc)
2) Two years is MORE than enough time in between to heal and plan a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) In fact current research says 18 months between births is more than enough.
3) TWINS ARE NOT FULL TERM EARLIER THAN ANY OTHER NORMAL HUMAN BABY. Sorry, can’t shout that loud enough. Twins do not have some magic twin juice that makes them ready sooner than any other human baby, it’s a total myth. Read the research. The reason twins often come earlier is docs love to induce them, schedule early cesareans, and mothers often do not nourish themselves well enough for two babies so go into preterm labour. Healthy well-nourished women have NORMAL gestations with twins. There is more than enough room, both the uterus and your skin can stretch to fit two babies, plain and simple.
4) Good for her for realizing what Americans are clueless about: Midwifery care is superior care. Rock on, Angie.
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czarina, drugs drugs drugs and cesareans are most certainly NOT safe for the baby… do some research. Women choosing natural birth aren’t masochists, they just want the safest possible birth for themselves and their babies, and that doens’t include major abdominal surgery that has a 2-4X greater risk of leaving their children motherless than a vaginal birth. Duh, that.
Even ACOG agrees.
http://www.acog.org/from_home/publications/press_releases/nr08-31-06-2.cfmSo let’s drop the old “wah the natural birth hippies are making me feel bad about my epidural” stuff and face up to the fact that choosing drugs and surgery puts your child at risk. AT least be honest about it.
Natural childbirth may not be MORALLY superior, but it sure as hell IS superior.. in terms of safety.
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thanks to Jess for setting it straight with scott F who just revealed his complete and utter cluelessness about any of this and thought it best to tell a posting board full of women just how childbirth is done. because his wife happened to have a baby so he knows. god who is this guy?
the US has a way abnormal rate of c-sections and epidurals for precisely the reasons jess stated: the docs dont want to allow a woman to go through a full labor because it takes too much time, there is too much waiting, it happens at times that arent convenient. c-sections get the docs to their glf games on time and induced/epidurals make it happen much faster. c-sections require a much longer hospital stay than VBAC which increases the bill for the hospital and reduces the liability risk of what can go wrong during a VBAC, thus, saving postential lawsuits. his comment was so so so ridiculous.
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@ magic twin juice.
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hey, where’s the beer and wings I was promised?
I have 2 kids and with my first, he was 10 pounds and I tried to have a vaginal birth but the doctor said he was too big so we did an emergency c-section. My daughter was born last July and she was 9.2 pounds and the doctor told me I would have to have a c-section with her because of how big my babies are when they are born. I think it really depends on the doctor and the size of your babies when they are ready..
i got my smokes, need beer and wings!! -
WOOO HOOOO!! I coulda warned you about that Scott!! You won’t win an argument about child birth against women. Not that I agree with your opinion. Anyways I hope she has the kids ALIEN style! Bursting through the chest! hah hah my work here is done. (as he ducks his head and hits backspace button).
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I hope that Angelina is truly planning a natural birth for her twins! Go for that VBAC Angie!
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I just wanted to add that studies have shown the rate of uterine rupture for VBAC with a low-transverse scar is less than 1%. And by no means is the condition life threating in most of those cases. Incedentally, the uterine rupture rate in first-time moms induced with certain drugs is actually higher. (though I don’t have those numbers at my fingertips).
So that big, scary risk of uterine rupture is not actually as high as we are led to believe. Of course, if you are that one in 100, the other 99 delivered safely won’t mean much to you. There are risks in childbirth as in life. It is up to each individual mother to do her research and weigh the actual risks.
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She best be careful if this is true! I tried having a v-back with my 2nd daughter, and long story short I ruptured on the inside and my old c-section scar came apart. It was the worst pain ever 3 epiderals and it still didn’t touch the pain. Thank god I had a good doctor and he caught it befor it was to late. Anyways I don’t recomend it AT ALL.
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I have friend who have had VBACs (vaginal birth after cesareans). And i just had one at home (HBAC) the month my firstborn turned two.
I have a friend who had a VBAC with twins.. twice! And I just had a friend deliver twins naturally — and the second was breech.
There’s a youtube video floating around about moms with twins and triplets… many of them went to 38/40 weeks and beyond!
VBAC is totally possible with the right care providers, and it usually the safest option for both mother and baby. Repeat c-sections have increased risk, especially to the mother.
I wish their family the best of luck.
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Am I too late for the chicken wings and the alcohol?
However the twins come into the world, I hope the are healthy babies, ten toes and all that.
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“Seriously, no doctor is going to advocate unnecessary surgery these days, it’s too big a risk for the minor payoff it represents.”
Please tell me this is a joke. How many women have been induced and ended in FTP? How many women have been told they have CPD or their babies are macrosomic? And even though women elsewhere continue to birth 12 ½ pound babies easily (the pelvis stretches, babies heads mold), our women are told to fear a 9-10 pound baby. That fear feeds the whole system and our dependence on an OB to save us. I loath the current birth climate in our country. When did a physiological birth become such an emergency?
“So that big, scary risk of uterine rupture is not actually as high as we are led to believe.”
Very true, and even that “less than 1%” is higher than it should read because in the latest studies with Landon (with 18,000 VBAC moms) they didn’t separate out those who were induced. And as we all know, inductions increase uterine rupture. An all-natural birth is an extremely safe option for VBAC candidates, which is probably why so many birth at home.
The most recent stat is 1 in 200 moms might rupture. And there’s a much greater risk to mom and baby for choosing an elective c/s, so rupture is the least of the concerns although it was made out to be such a big deal in the 90s when VBACs were being induced with cytotec.
“Of course, if you are that one in 100, the other 99 delivered safely won’t mean much to you.”
Yes, and the same is true for a c/s death. None of the stats matter to you when you die from a major abdominal surgery that was supposed to be a safe option.
Among hundreds of successful VBAC moms I’ve met, I know of only two moms who ruptured (in part, due to induction/pitocin). The moms were screaming that something was wrong and the hospital/OB said this was just what childbirth is like. Thankfully they both had their babies okay, but it just was shocking to see that the OBs didn’t know how to detect a uterine rupture nor did they know they shouldn’t EVER use pitocin/cytotec/artificial oxytocin on someone with a previous c/s scar. Brother!
Even VBAC after multiple cesareans has recently been proven as a very safe option. See the following article:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2006-06-29-vbac_x.htmAnd I just have to post a few recent VBAC stories for those considering a vaginal delivery after a surgical birth. =)
http://www.onetruemedia.com/otm_site/view_shared?p=2a4e81fbf0f66accb8afce
http://www.millermemo.com/BrightonBirth.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQd0hPHWOlQ
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Go Angelina! I hope you get your VBAC! Maybe it will help our society see that c-sections aren’t as cool as Hollywood makes us believe.
VBAC after 1 low transverse incision carries a risk of rupture between .5 and 1%. It doesn’t increase much, if at all, after 2 c/s. Natural (ie: unmedicated, no iv, no pit) vaginal birth is MUCH safer for mom and baby than a scheduled repeat c/s. Unfortunately, many OBs are coercing/scaring moms into repeat c/s and /or banning them at their practice or the hospitals are banning them…money, money, money. When a doc is paid 2-3x more for a c/s and hospitals get more money for more time spent in the hospital, it’s hard to see this as a non-motivating factor in the increase in c/s in the US.
I have, unfortunately, had 3 c/s. My first after 3.5hrs of pushing (head near crowning) but when the nurse tried to turn her while I was pushing, she turned her in to a bad position, asynclitic head. I ended up with an Inverted-T cut on my uterus (vertical part only 3-4cm). I was scared into a rcs with my second. I had no significant issues with healing but I absolutely HATED having c/s!
With my third and last baby I researched everything! I chose to birth my baby at home with a CPM (Certified Professional Midwife). I found that MY chances of rupture were around 2-3%, MUCH higher than someone with the typical incision and only 1 c/s. But I chose to see that as a 97-98% chance that everything would go well. I did end up transferring to the hospital after 30hrs of active labor and 2 hours pushing because I just instinctively felt I should go, even though my baby had been close to crowning several times. My mw and I had our reasons to go and she came with me. I was put in a hospital bed, on my BACK (hello?). I had to ask to lay on my side and because I knew it was better for the baby’s oxygen. I ended up with a c-section, but didn’t get ANY pain relief until then, which was 2 hours after I’d arrived at the hospital. It was discovered DURING my c/s that my uterus had ruptured (no wonder I couldn’t push her out!) in a Y shape, up to just under the placenta and then straight down thru my cervix. Her arm and shoulders were starting to come out of my open uterus. She and I were and are both fine, but I still feel that she and I were better off for having labored and received the natural hormones that prepare a baby to enter the world.
I still believe that VBAC is inherently safe and is safest for moms and babies. There are NO benefits to babies or moms in scheduling unnecessary c-sections. Women need to take back their bodies, babies, and births! It’s time for all women to make informed decisions regarding interventions offered or expected in a hospital birth…don’t just take your OB’s advice or the hospital classes word for it, do your own research.
Try reading PUSHED by Jennifer Block and BORN IN THE USA by Dr. Marsden Wagner
Expecting backlash
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I gave birth to my daughter at home. With the most wonderful doula to help me along. No drugs, no needles, no nothing. Scott has no idea what he’s talking about. Not everyone chooses to birth in a hospital or recieve pain meds or an epidural.. Which in my opinion is a cop out. Your wife’s a wimp. lol
Natural childbirth just refers to the natural progression of a vaginal birth. Not whether or not you had medication or whether it’s “found in nature” as you say.
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… just…
I’m going to need more alkyhol to cope with this thread.
All this mentioning of VBACs is making me read it as Vadge Bacs which in turn is making me think it to the tune of Timberlake’s “Se*y Back”:o
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I just had my 3rd VBAC. My last was a huge baby. Women are fed lies. The US has horrible infant mortality rates and it is NOT because we have more younger and older mothers. Just another lie. 99% of all US babies are born within feet of the latest greatest technology in the world. The overuse and misuse of technology is the problem. Women were made to give birth. Go Angelina!
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Please, if you believe a word that comes out of this soul sucker’s mouth then you are insane.
She’s a phony, a poser and a liar and an attention whore. -
Isn’t the type of delivery a medical decision based on what is best for the health of the baby and mother? Since when does the mother’s preference come into it? They are not going to let her do a vaginal delivery if it will endanger her or the babies.
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“Isn’t the type of delivery a medical decision based on what is best for the health of the baby and mother? Since when does the mother’s preference come into it? They are not going to let her do a vaginal delivery if it will endanger her or the babies”
Since when do women lose their rights over their own bodies just because of pregnancy? Why is it that people think that a woman WOULDN’T choose what’s best for her AND her baby. What mother would knowingly put her child at risk. Every person in the US has the right to refuse medical treatment, including c/s. Most just don’t realize it until it’s too late. Vaginal births happen all the time and in the hands of the right support/providers is very safe, even with twins. It’s the damn OBs that think that they have to DO something (other than sit on their hands
) that have caused birth to become a procedure instead of a physiological process that women have been doing for thousands of years! Women, even in the US, are capable of birth without drugs and interventions. Yes, they are sometimes necessary, but they are currently being abused at the COST of women’s lives and babies’ lives. It’s time to question the current state of maternity care in our country!
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I usually avoid these types of sites, but because I was referred by a friend disturbed by so much negativity, I wanted to say that vaginal birth after cesarean is ACOG (american college of obstetricians and gynocolegists)’s recomendation. Vbac has risks but so do elective cesareans, More women die around an elective cesarean that a vaginal birth and the more cesareans you have the more risks you may encounter in the future. It sounds like the rumors also include details of onsite ob and surgical staff, in case of an emergency. Bases are covered.
A woman educated in the risks of birth, vaginal or otherwise, should have her decision to give birth the way she believes to be best for her and her family should be respected.
I
t’s hard to read many of these petty criticisms of total strangers (Angelina and Brad) by total strangers about parenting styles. Were any of these critics in personal contact with the couple? I doubt it. -
Too much focus about angelina’s vagina, it is a bit freakish.
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Wow I am so happy that she educated herself on childbirth and has decided against a cesarean. It’s great to see a celebrity go for natural childbirth. The risk of cesareans are so great and vaginal birth is so much better for mother and baby. I wish her the best in her delivery.
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Is it just me, or does it seem like the media just announced her pregnancy a few months ago, and now she’s about to give birth?
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“However the twins come into the world, I hope the are healthy babies ”
@ I choose me : Cheers!
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anybody who wants to have a vaginal birth after a c-section can. you can even try for a vaginal birth after 2 or more sections if you like. a doctor is just that-a doctor. he/she is no one’s boss. this is a free country and there is alot of research available to read. anyone can do their own research and decide for themselves what they want to do with the birth of their own child. NO ONE has the right to tell someone else HOW to birth their baby. women can also have as many c-sections as they like, however each c-section increases risks for the next pregnancy and birth.
and yes doctors want to do more c-sections for their own benefit and because they are afraid of getting sued and losing all their money. but a woman’s body was made to birth the baby she carries in it. no one has to have a big stool cut out of their rectum when it takes a long time to pass do they???? if given time, a baby will pass through the vagina, but most doctors don’t like sitting and waiting and not making any money when they can schedule 3 surgeries in a row and make triple.
i pray that she gets her VBAC. she is smart to know what she wants and the risks involved. remember that a c-section is MAJOR ABDOMINAL SURGERY and women do die from these surgeries. we just don’t hear about them everyday. but it does happen.
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It’s all pretty much been said.
I hope that Brad + Angelina have a healthy outcome, whatever way they and/or their doctors decide to do it.
Yes - you can VBAC and yes you can have natural childbirth. Did both with my second - a home VBAC, no drugs, no docs. And - baby was breech, so we turned him to vertex on a scarred uterus. You can do that too with the right care providers.
Also, to those who want to scare people about the pain of natural childbirth - it is over on average in less than a day. The pain of a c/section lasts for many weeks, and the strongest drugs do not fully take it away - if you want to nurse these pain pills can affect your baby too.
Alot of the pain of *vaginal* childbirth these days is due to the interventions - pitocin causes strong contractions and doesn’t cross the blood-brain barrier allowing for endorphins like the oxytocin the body produces; episiotomies are cut - often contributing to worse tears; waters are broken taking away the cushion provided, wedging babies in bad positions, and making contractions felt more; just to name a few. Then after the birth - babies are often separated from moms. No - I think with supportive care providers natural birth is yes painful, but can be managed. It’s like the pain of an MS-150 bike ride/marathon/triathlon…good for you pain with a purpose, healthy pain. Pain that signals your brain to make more of the natural endorphins and oxytocin (the love hormone).
I wouldn’t wish a c/section on my worst enemy…and I had a textbook recovery.
I’d love to see Angie VBAC - but whatever happens - hope they’re healthy and mom is healthy.
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“Isn’t the type of delivery a medical decision based on what is best for the health of the baby and mother? Since when does the mother’s preference come into it?”
That’s what you would think, but it’s usually not the case. Most doctors are going to look out for their own best interests. If you’ve watched the new Business of Being Born (or even the movie Born in the USA) you’ll hear OBs talking about how c/s is easier for THEM and that they were even told in med school to go for the c/s whenever possible because it’s quicker and easier on the doctor. As long as they get the patient to sign the consent form, they’re usually covered. For example, I heard one doctor in this area say they can’t offer VBAC because of legal/malpractice concerns. He said he knows its completely safe–safer than c/s, but the paper pushers get to decide what’s most socially acceptable.
The list of risks from cesarean to both mom and baby (and future babies) is looooong and we’re discovering new risks every year as more moms are living with the aftermath of the surgery. For example, a recently published study done by CDC researchers found that babies born by “elective” cesarean were two and a half times more likely to die in their first year of life than babies born to mothers who had planned a vaginal birth. Someone on here already mentioned mom being 2-4 times more likely to die from a c/s, as well. Would any mom willing choose those risks to her baby in a non-emergency situation? But they do it every day in non-emergency situations simply because they are not fully informed of the risks. Why aren’t we being informed of the latest studies and deadly risks including more miscarriages and stillbirths for future children?
I would be grateful for the cesarean that was a true life-saving emergency and I’d have to just count my other losses and scary risks as a necessary compromise. But for ‘elective’ c/s, I couldn’t put my child or my own life in that kind of danger. I’m already dealing with adhesions from my previous c/s and now I get to look forward to possible bowel obstructions. Oh yay.
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As someone who’s had an unmedicated birth of twins at full term (40+ weeks) and after reading many of the comments, I thought some of you would be interested in this brief film about the natural birth of twins and triplets — put together by a mother of twins…
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As someone who’s had an unmedicated birth of twins at full term (40+ weeks) and after reading many of the comments, I thought some of you would be interested in this brief film about the natural birth of twins and triplets — put together by a mother of twins…
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All I know is, after 10 hours of labor and almost losing my son, my emergency C-section was the best in the end. I have a little scar that’s barely there at all and I didn’t have to have an epesiotomy (boys, that’s where they actually CUT you DOWN THERE to fit the baby out). My worst fear was that they would do that to me. My best friend was cut several times after 24 hours of labor and she said she’ll never be “right” down there again.
After going thru it, I would take a C-section over a vaginal birth any day (thoug
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She has those pregnancies that I always envied when I was pregnant. She’s a basketball with toothpick arms and legs. I was just a basketball, period!
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