Many celebrities, it seems, don't believe in natural childbirth (and by that I mean through the vajayjay, not without drugs). Many women don't either, and they schedule c-sections (or their doctors do it for them). While I agree there is a real need at times, especially in emergency situations, for a Cesarean, I don't agree at all with the elective kind. It seems like a waste of money and resources, and could lead to other potential dangers associated specifically with having a C. Maybe I feel this way because my mother, who had to have one, got such a bad infection in hers she couldn't take care of me when I was born! Maybe I also feel this way because I've come in contact with doctors who feel their dinner reservations are more important than a woman having her baby, so they just schedule the woman in rather than take a chance on her interrupting them!
Angelina Jolie, who had her daughter Shiloh, now two, via Cesarean, is now keen to have her twins the old school way. Set to bear the babies in her mother's native France, Ms. Jolie has confided to a "source" that she was disappointed she had to have Shiloh via C-section and is really hoping she'll be able to give birth to the twins the old-fashioned way. Given our recent discussion about VBACs, vaginal birth after Cesarean, I wonder if her doctors will even let her! In France she may have more of a choice than a woman might here.
The source, who blabbed everything to OK Magazine, also claims Ange won't go full-term with the babies. I seem to recall reading that multiples tend to come early, but that's probably just heresay! According to the source, the prospect of early delivery is what sent Ange and her brood to France earlier. Only time will tell when those babies are born and how it happens. Either way, let's hope for a safe and speedy delivery! Good luck, Ange!
%Gallery-24059%
1. "Natural" childbirth means childbirth without drugs or with as few interventions as possible. It does NOT mean not a c-section. I think the term you should have used is VAGINAL childbirth, which is the most natural way, but is not what is generally meant when the term "natural" is used.
Good for Angelina, but come on, are we afraid to use the correct terminology here? What's wrong with saying "vaginal" childbirth? Or does the skyrocketing c-section rate need to lead to a complete reworking of the language of birth?
Posted at 6:00PM on Jun 6th 2008 by Judy