Fear of natural birth increases C-section rate

I would definitely agree that one's mindset plays a HUGE role in the outcome of your birthing experience (whether natural or C-sec) I gave birth to a 4.33 kg boy (58cm long!) naturally, without any pains meds, on 29/08/2011. It never occured to me that i couldn't and my midwife certainly never made me feel like it would be an issue having a big baby. This is my first child. I did tear but have already healed up completely (4 weeks later) and things are back to normal

Personally I was really scared of ending up with a c-sec and had to do quite a bit of mental preparation during my pregnancy for the fact that unplanned things happen and it wouldn't be the end of the world if my birth ended that way. Very happy it didn't though as I feel the process we went through definitely helped me bond with him better.

Julz, I grew up hearing about my mom's natural birthing experiences (I was a 4.5kg baby and she is a very small woman) and I think that played a large role in my feelings towards childbirth. I've also always believed that people underestimate the power the mind has in affecting our physical bodies.

I agree Julz (think I just worded it badly), a a true birth phobia may not be "fixed" with a bit of talk, particularly if the individual does not want to get over the fear, but I honestly think the vast majority of women "fear" due to sensationalist messages via media channels, so if a women claims to be scared of normal delivery, doctors should give measured responses of all the pros and cons and give the woman a choice in trying to work through those fears for the benefit of her own longterm reproductive health, rather than offering the easier, short term fix so quickly.

Claudia sadly unless you really want to overcome the fear, no amount of therapy would work. I do feel that the doctors have so much hold over patients that if they were to take the time to chat to the moms and explain things correctly from a medical perspective, they might be able to encourage women to be more positive about the birthing experience.

I guess we need to know more about what women are scared of regarding birth. I am almost positive most of it is due to being misinformed by caregivers or from only looking at the shocking birth stories and what I hear most often is that the male partners are put off by the thought of a natural birth and how their sex lives will be forever ruined. (Got news to share with the men. Your sex life is going to take a back seat for a while regardless of how your child is born). I think it is sad that we see a major surgery as the better option (again not against anyone who wants a c section) to have a baby.

I was a c section woman until I started reading about it and watching natural birth videos etc. Positive ones that is.

What makes a person like myself so positive about the birth whereas another mother is terrified. I don't mean that in a judgemental way, but I think more exploration needs to be done regarding this.

I'm with you Flowergirl, I'm also truly terrified. I'm not going to put myself through unneccessary stress, rather have a c-sec and keep myself happy. The thought of pushing a child through my vj......not on!

Yip, I am one of those woman who are genuinely, honestly TERRIFIED of birthing naturally - no idea why.

@ Julz, I read a blog a while back about elective C sections in Canada due to fear of natural birth (It has a name, I forget though), and someone brought up the point that, given the risks associated with repeat c sections, plus the additional costs involved why are thoses moms not being referred to councellors etc.. as you would for any other phobia associated with adverse consequences.
For the vast majority of moms, I think fear comes from popular culture, rather than a true phobia. We are bombarded daily with films showing women screaming, lying on their backs while their partners run around like morons panicking. The birth that went wrong gets the headlines etc...For those women, perhaps a rational discussion with some reasonable non hollywood mixed messages, would be enough to ease their fears, rather than patronising them by not even giving them the facts??
And for those women who have a true debilitating phobia, then should it not be discussed and following rational discussion a decision made?

My gynae and I chatted about women wanting natural vs women wanting c section and he says he doesn't try to persuade a woman wanting an elective because he can tell by a woman's mindset if she will birth naturally.

I tend to agree with him. He never once said anything negative about me birthing naturally. He raised his concerns about Dylan being positioned really high so late into the pregnancy but was happy for me to progress to labour.