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Christina Aguilera terrified of childbirth
Categories: Pregnancy & Birth, Celeb Kids, Celeb Parenting
I've heard many reasons for having a C-section, ranging from "failure to progress" to the baby being too big for the mother to birth, breech positioning, or an emergency situation necessitating an immediate birth for the safety of the baby and/or the mother.
But I've never heard of a doctor performing a C-section because the mother said, "I'd heard horror stories about tearing. I really wanted a calm and peaceful environment. I didn't want any surprises." which is what Christina Aguilera shared in her interview on the birth of her son with Hello! magazine.
Whew! It's good she was able to get the unknowns of the birthing process out of the way. Any parent can tell you THAT is the only part of life with a kid that is unpredictable. From that point on, every day with a kid goes according to the itinerary you set up for them a month in advance! (Sarcasm font off)
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
AParent 2-20-2008 @ 2:05PM
Why is it not alright for a mother to choose the way she wants to deliver her child?
Angie you should be ashamed of yourself for publicly writing how close minded and cynical you are about modern medicine and the progress that has been made over the last 30 years.
You remind me of the "badge of honor" mothers that see any other form of delivery as wrong, because they didnt destroy their pelvic floor unnecessarily to brag and boast.
Do you think about what you type before you hit the "post" button?
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april 2-20-2008 @ 2:45PM
AParent,
A c-section is major abdominal surgery, and isn't the easiest thing on your body either, in fact, I'm sure most doctors would agree that it does more damage to the mothers body then a vaginal birth. So really, which is more "unnecessary"? An elective c-section with no medical reason, or trying for a vaginal birth? It has nothing to do with a "badge of honor" or something to "boast and brag" about, grow up.
And lay off Angie, she never said that mothers shouldn't be able to choose how to deliver their babies, just that she thought Christina's reason was, well, kind-of lame.
Baffled 2-21-2008 @ 12:35PM
The problem with allowing women to choose unnecessary c-sections is it makes it that much harder for the rest of us to get the natural birth we want. I've had 3 c-sections, only one of them necessary and with this next one I am not ignorant of the fact that I CAN refuse a c-section. Many women do not know that they can refuse though, if they do not believe it is truly needed. C-sections are NOT better or easier than vaginal births in the majority of cases. And doctors will lie to you if it suits their plans. I've been lied to and so have friends of mine. Doctors are not saints by far.
Baffled 2-21-2008 @ 12:36PM
AParent, childbirth will not necessarily be the thing to ruin your pelvic floor. Pregnancy can do just as much damage. My last child did quite a number on me and he was delivered by c-section. This is much the same as the myth that breastfeeding will flatten your breasts. It's the pregnancy that does that, not the breastfeeding.
queenoqueens 2-20-2008 @ 2:18PM
I'm not against elective C-sections. I just wish you could have a surgical team and anesthesia handy whenever you needed it. Like when your kid gets a bad splinter that needs removing, or gets their finger slammed in the car door. Of course, in those cases, the anesthesia would be for me.
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Angie Felton 2-20-2008 @ 2:35PM
The laughing you hear is my entire family busting up over how close minded and cynical I am about modern medicine and the progress that has been made over the last 30 years.
You see, the problem with that is I've had FOUR C-sections myself.
I don't have problem with C-sections. I have a problem with famous people getting them because they don't want any "surprises".
Parenthood is full of one unexpected surprise after another starting from the birth process on.
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sitruc 2-20-2008 @ 2:53PM
Could it be that you are reading into "surprises" too much or maybe have a bias against her because of her celebrity? You note that she is famous and a celebrity when you state you have a problem with it. If a regular Jane chose to have a C-section because of fear of surprises, would you feel the same way? She chose to have a C-section and you have no problem with that, but you have a problem with the reasoning behind it. I don't see anything to see that it wasn't a legit or genuine concern. Sure, there will be surprises along the way. That is parenting, but any parent would want what is best for their child and hope to help them find that direction the easiest way possible. Fear of childbirth does not mean she is afraid of every aspect of parenting(although I'm not sure there is one parent who isn't) and will seek to control or micromanage every part of the kid's life. There has to be a kid to be raised and a mother for the conversation to even begin. She wanted to make sure the child was delivered safely.
sitruc 2-20-2008 @ 2:40PM
I'm with AParent. I so no need to condemn a mother for chosing how to deliver her child. I would expect a post this careless from a celebrity blog but not a parenting bog. The article linked to even says, "The 27-year-old is not alone in her fears. An estimated one in 14 prospective mothers is afraid of giving birth.
Another study has found that almost half of women having an elective caesarean are so terrified of childbirth that it affects their health."
Most women have some fears of childbirth for various reasons. It is natural to want to have a little more control of a situation. Aguilera didn't even make the choice out of vanity. She made the decision out of genuine fear and concern. Many complications can come from a pregnant woman who is worked up and stressed out.
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mamaloo 2-20-2008 @ 3:30PM
"The article linked to even says, "The 27-year-old is not alone in her fears. An estimated one in 14 prospective mothers is afraid of giving birth.
Another study has found that almost half of women having an elective caesarean are so terrified of childbirth that it affects their health.""
The way to treat this mental condition is through therapy, not ordering up a surgery that has long lasting health impact and is less safe than spontaneous vaginal delivery for low risk pregnancies.
Of course women have the right to choose mode of delivery (and maybe you should let ACOG know you think that because they just released a statement denying women the right to choose mode of delivery), a person who chooses c-section for reasons of vanity or peace of mind when there are no medical indications for surgery is in total denial. Becoming a mother is not an easy process and will never be something that can be described as without pain or as peaceful. And birth is only the beginning.
As a professional in this area, hearing a woman talk about deep fear of vaginal delivery raises a red flag to me that she should be seeing a counsellor about these issues.
Isn't it ironic that Aguilera was complaining of being in significant post surgical pain six weeks after delivery? I guess she didn't get what she wanted.
sitruc 2-20-2008 @ 4:31PM
I don't disagree with you, mamaloo. The first course of action should be therapy and counseling when there is fear. The main problem is the interview is from a celebrity tabloid and not a parenting magazine. We don't know what type of problems she may have had or if it was just a vain decision, just that she did have fears.
My problem with Ms Felton's post is that if the Daily Mail article is the same as that in Hello!, I thought they did a decent job(considering the source) of showing that it isn't too uncommon(for better or worse). I didn't like her essentially condemning Aguilera's parenting when little is known of the situation. Obviously, method of delivery doesn't determine if a person is a good parent or not.
LM 2-22-2008 @ 1:01AM
Perhaps if she was afraid of giving birth she should have never gotten pregant to begin with.
Judy 2-20-2008 @ 2:44PM
I found this really kind of sad, too. The whole primary elective c-section thing really bothers me. (as does the whole medicalization of birth, but that's a-whole-nother issue)
The worst part, for me, is that she chose to have the baby at 37 weeks. Since dating can be off, and some babies aren't really ready at 37 weeks, that just seems so wrong and dangerous to me. I know *most* babies will be fine then, but not all. (And I'm someone whose first baby was born *fine* at 35 1/2 weeks, and second came at over 9 pounds at 38 weeks)
I find it very wrong that doctors will allow a woman to choose something that might not be healthy or safe for her baby (primary elective c-section at 37 weeks). Even moreso when they are so opposed to other things that usually *are* healthy, like allowing a baby to come on its own when it's ready, allowing VBAC's, and giving birth without drugs.
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Mel 2-20-2008 @ 2:51PM
Well, what's important is that she did what works for her family. Right?
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ame s 2-20-2008 @ 5:16PM
I had a very big surprise with my c-section: the epidural failed. I honestly thought I was going to die.
I had surprises after the VBAC delivery of my second child. The doctor left a piece of gauze inside me, came down with a raging UTI, and a festering infection of my sutures.
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caitlin 2-20-2008 @ 7:15PM
I had an unplanned c-section and ended up with complications. I have to admit, I'm very envious of my friends who were able to have natural births. They were up and moving within 24 hours of giving birth. Me? I barely remember the first few days after my son was born because of all the meds, and I hurt for several months after.
Labor pain might be more intense, but it doesn't last for a few months either. I did the first 13 hours of my labor with no pain meds, and I would have preferred a recovery from that rather than the months of sharp twinges if I coughed or laughed. My c-section did not heal correctly, and as a result, I will not be having any more kids unless I adopt.
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Lori 2-21-2008 @ 2:49PM
MAN WHAT A WIMP!
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Rachel 2-21-2008 @ 4:34PM
After five vaginal birth deliveries and with number six on the way I will say that Christina has a right to be scared of the delivery room and vaginal birth. It's quite painful. But usually a few months later we gals end up forgetting how painful it can be during the heat of passion with our husbands or boyfriends....lol.
Rach : )
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Jeannine 2-21-2008 @ 7:17PM
I don't think there's anything wrong with elective c-sections. I don't think there's anything wrong with completely natural home births in a bathtub. I think vaginal birth with an epidural and episiotomy is fine. I guess if I had to draw the line somewhere, it would be with people forgetting that their baby is in the car and baking them to death. Once the baby is out, I think you should try to keep it alive.
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Jram84 2-22-2008 @ 2:12AM
I dont understand what the big deal is...I had both my baby's natural and I didn't tear!!! She doesnt know what she gave up... it is the Best experience!!!
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john 2-22-2008 @ 2:50AM
SHE IS A BLEACHBLONDE IDIOT...WHY ANYONE EVEN CARES WHAT SHE DOES WITH HER LIFE IS BEYOND ME ...YOU ALL SHOULD GET TO KNOW JESUS RATHER THEN FOCOUS ON USELESS TIME WASTING PEOPLE LIKE CA.THANK YOU HAVE A NICE DAY !!!!
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