Cesarean Births--Personal Stories: Preparation for the Unexpected Cesarean

Most couples know in advance when a cesarean section delivery will be necessary, but some will not know until labor begins. There are a number of last-minute things that can go wrong with a normal birth, making a c-section advisable or even imperative. Once the decision is made, a number of medical/surgical activities that would not ordinarily occur suddenly start taking place, which adds to the stress of the imminent birth for the parents. While some mothers interviewed here reported feeling loss at not delivering in the normal way (one earth-mother smilingly reported she missed experiencing the pain), another woman remarked that the "ultimate goal was not the method of birth, but that we'd become parents of a healthy baby." Unfortunately, the tape loses points due to rough camera work and occasional bad lighting. Worse, the best information in the tape is included after the closing credits, in an "optional" segment which shows an actual c-section. Considering that part of the graphic footage is shown in the main portion of the tape without prior warning, a little more blood and guts shouldn't have mattered. Recommended for larger collections, with reservations. Aud: C, P. (R. Reagan)