InterventionTestimonies

The following are some comments from Christian women who have received an assortment of interventions.

Artificial Rupture of Membranes (AROM)

I allowed this to be done so that my labor might start. I was
induced at 40 weeks and 5 days due to very low amniotic fluid leels
(only about one ounce). It was also done so that internal monitoring
could be done. The risk of introducing bacteria to the baby was
increased, but if I didn't have this done, the OB would have probably
not let up on me about having a C-section. So, the benefits
outweighed the risks at that point. The one drawback I experienced
at the time was leaking fluid throughout my labor (I know it's
normal, just not something I was totally prepared for, lol). Oh, my
water was also broken so that I could receive an infusion.

***********
I have an interesting story about AROM. I refused it through my
whole labor and delivery until my daughter was crowning and she was
out moments after they nicked it. You never know what problems you
might be preventing.

My daughter was born with her platelet levels at 6,000. Normal is
in the hundreds of thousands and the Medical University of South
Carolina NICU said hers was the lowest they had ever seen. A baby
like that should never be delivered vaginally because without
platelets, internal bleeding occurs. And the pressure from labor and
delivery can be deadly. That intact bag of waters cushioned her the
whole way and she didn't have any of the intercranial bleeding that
is usually seen in babies born vaginally with low platelets. All she
had were some little pin points of bleeding under her skin.
Unbeknownst to us, my husband and I had a platelet incompatability
which caused my body to attack my daughter's platelets. I credit God
with her life - but I know that He worked through my refusal of the
AROM and, through that, she was spared all but the most minor of
complications.

***********

Pro: brought on labor (used for induction in two pregnancies) (would NEVER do this again and due to
alignment issues I'm sure I would've ended up with a c-section if I had done this with my 4th)
Con: There are SOO many but for me, at the time, stronger contractions were the con

*******

Allowing AROM with my first and third baby I believe contributed to my cesareans. AROM early in labor with
first boy and he ended up with a very stuck acynclitic head even with position changes and 4 hours of
pushing. With my third boy, I was going in transition, however, he was OP and no one told me that AROM
could make it more difficult to turn him and cause distress. After around 3.5 hours of pushing and many
position changes a second cesarean occurred.

Stripping of Membranes

Pro: None noted
Con: False hopes/expectations of labor; painful during and for hours after; increased non-productive
contractions which led to greater fatigue

External Fetal Monitor

Pro: None noted
Con: Not very reliable for mother with body fat; always "lost" baby's tones; led to unnecessary stress and
monitor watching rather than mommy watching!

Internal Monitor
This allowed me to labor in just about any position I wanted to be
in. It was not comfortable to be hooked up to a machine all the time
though because I couldn't move far from the bed and going to the
bathroom was difficult with the wires and IVs hanging everywhere. I
got tangled up more than once. I was also disappointed that I was
not able to take a shower to help with labor pain. I wish I would
have been able to do that, but the OB wanted me to be monitored
constantly.

*******

Pro: None noted
Con: required several attempts before attached; left horrible marks on baby's scalp

IV
I thoroughly did not like having IVs (yes, plural) while I was in the
hospital. I had one for fluids, Pitocin and antibiotics and then
another a couple days later for a blood transfusion. They are
painful and combersome. I felt they were necessary though in order
to avoid a C-section (which the OB was expecting to do from the get
go).

*******

Pro: Provided much needed hydration (after 24 hours of labor) and sugar boost (when I couldn't tolerate
anything by mouth)
Con: pain at the site; Husband accidentally caught IV and ripped it (OUCH!!!); decreased mobility; felt more
like a "patient"

Narcotics

Demerol: Pro: NONE!!! Con: Instead of being in pain, I felt "high" and in pain!! Didn't allow me to mentally
cope b/c I was too spacey!
Stadol: Pro: Allowed for sleep. Con: removed awareness of labor process (excitement, anticipation, and other
emotional changes that allow mom to feel like a mom)...felt "drugged" while it was in effect.

Pitocin

I'm thankful that having Pitocin allowed me to have a vaginal birth,
but I did not expect the intensity of the contractions as early as
they came. I very much wanted a natural birth with no medical
intervention, but God and my baby had other plans, so having a
healthy baby was worth the sacrifice. The contractions were quite
painful though.

******
Painful!

Episiotomy

Done by an impatient doc after pushing for around 45 minutes with my first VBAC (in the classic C position of
course). It took 6 months to stabilize. Intercourse with my spouse was torture (biting a pillow and sobbing)
until is finally set. I still have pain in the scar area occasionally.

Epidural
I ended up giving in to having an epidural after laboring for about 8
hours, I think. I was thankful for the rest I got and the pain
relief, but that's about it. I didn't like that I lost most of the
feeling in my lower body and lost control of my hips and knees for
quite some time. I slept for about two hours and went from 4cm to
8cm. I hadn't thought about it until now, but I guess I'm still not
realy sure what to expect of a natural labor process since I didn't
feel much more than pressure (I did have some sensations, but don't
know how to describe them) and the urge to push.

*******
Pro: relieved pain; allowed for sleep
Con: wore off too soon (1st time); slowed down labor requiring Pit.; 2nd time got it too late and it didn't "kick"
in; also, I developed a high fever with my first which resulted in baby requiring antibiotic treatment (catheters
inserted in his scalp) which were probably unnecessary and due to epidural use

Cesarean

Well trauma in the extreme after my second cesarean. I really needed counseling and postpartum help. I
didn’t have either. My physical recovery was okay, emotionally and spiritually it was horrendous. I don’t know
how I survived that year. I look back now and shudder in horror thinking about how truly awful it was. Much of
the trauma stemmed from the doctor, anesthesiologist and breakdown of my support team leaving me scared
and "screaming" out my eyeballs while appearing normal on the outside. I believe both my cesareans were
preventable. I did go on to experience a beautiful vaginal birth with ease and the only intervention was a
heplock as a VBA2C.

This web page is published for expecting parents and professionals alike,
who acknowledge the Lord Jesus Christ as the guiding strength during this time of Joy!

Cascade Christian Childbirth Association

Intervention Testimonies