I feel like this story will probably get a lot of comments, and some of those comments will be attacks against me, so let me just say: I don’t have a dog in this hunt. I have never given birth. I don’t want to give birth. It looks painful, and I have been firmly ensconced in Team Whatever Drugs You Want, Y’All for many, many years. My take really is, “If you want to give birth without drugs, good for you, and if you want drugs, that’s fine too. Live and let live.”
Now, Gisele has long been a proponent of “I gave birth naturally and you should too, and there should be laws forcing women to breastfeed for six months at least too.” Well, Gisele has a blog, you know. And she just published a piece called “Gentle Birth: This Is The Way!” by a midwife named Mayra Calvette. At first I was like, “Er, this is going to be horribly preachy.” But Gisele actually had a political angle for this – last month, the Regional Council of Medicine of Rio de Janeiro “banned the involvement of obstetricians in residential births and also prohibited the use of doulas and midwives during hospital births.” So… Rio’s local government is getting into the judgy-childbirth game too. You can read Calvette’s essay here, and here’s some coverage:
Supermodel Gisele Bundchen has used her blog to promote natural child birth. The 32-year-old, who is currently expecting her second child to NFL star Tom Brady, has commissioned a new blog post that supports a woman’s right to a drug-free labour.
The post, written by midwife Mayra Calvette who has spoken on behalf of the five-ft 11-in model in previous blog posts, is titled Gentle Birth: This Is The Way! It discusses a woman’s decision to give birth in her home while being cared for ‘by doulas, midwives and obstetric nurses’.
The blog post, seen on Blog.giselebundchen.com, was sparked last month after the Regional Council of Medicine of Rio de Janeiro’s banned the involvement of obstetricians in residential births. The decision also prohibited the use of doulas and midwives during hospital births.
The post by Ms Calvette, who was present when the model gave birth to her first child Benjamin Rein Brady in December, 2009, reads: ‘These resolutions disregard the most current scientific evidence, the recommendations of WHO and the Ministry of Health. Furthermore, these resolutions do not respect the right of freedom of choice of women, families and from the professionals themselves.’
It aims to discourage the rest of Brazil from following suit with such bans. Ms Calvette, an advocate for the home birth renaissance, delves into the extensive research she has conducted during a project titled the Birth Around The World Project.
‘I traveled through several countries, meeting different cultures and birth models that work,’ she wrote. ‘I realised that the most socially developed countries tend to offer a humane and woman-centered care. Pregnant women have the right to choose their companions during childbirth… have the same room for labour, birth and post partum… and can deny any procedure with her and her baby.’
She visited England, Germany, Holland, Austria, Sweden and New Zealand during her research trip.
The supermodel wrote on her blog in January: ‘When Mayra told me her idea about the [project] I thought it was a beautiful idea and knew that it would be really cool if she could share a little bit of this journey on my blog. I had the opportunity to experience the natural process of birth and it was one of the most life changing experiences for me and very very special!’
The Brazilian stunner, who married her quarterback husband in 2009, is not the first model to have publicly endorsed all-natural births.
Miranda Kerr sparked headlines last month after telling Harper’s Bazaar UK that she opted against epidural anesthesia when she gave birth to her son Flynn. The 29-year-old Victoria’s Secret star told the magazine that she decided to perform a natural birth after watching baby-bonding videos which showed that newborns go straight for the breast if they are without the medication. TheStir.com attracted a heated discussion, with one mother posting: ‘Being a supermodel doesn’t make you an expert.’
I totally agree with the politics/legal issues of “a woman should be able to make her own decisions about childbirth and where she goes and who helps her, etc.” If a woman wants to give birth in a hospital naturally with a doula, then God bless. If a woman wants to be completely zonked out on drugs during an elective C-section, then God bless. I just think it’s a decision every woman needs to make for herself, which is how I feel about all reproductive rights. The answer to these kinds of restrictive laws is not “No, that’s wrong, MY WAY is better and it should be the only way.” The answer should be: CHOICE. Choice to make whatever decisions you want. I’m fine if Gisele wants to “recommend” a specific childbirth plan. But just don’t say it’s the only way to go.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
f*ck birth period. this blue marble is overpopulated as it is. that is all. 👿
lol
HAAA! @ RHONYC-you have a point, girl 🙂
I will be doing my bit, by not having children. Child birth frightens me but I also don’t have the desire to have children, so it’s a win/win situation for me.
I can’t believe that people would actual legislate how a women gives birth, that is an awful situation, let each woman decides what’s best for her!
If they legislate inforcing women to HAVE children when it is not what they desire, it isn’t much of a strech to tell women how they should have them.
Yup, proud to be child-free and counteracting the Duggars and the Octomoms of the world!
To the point of the article though, why does anyone think they should be able to legislate childbirth again? As in what business is it of Rio Gov’t or Gisele what other people do in the most painful and apparently wonderful moment of their lives?
The only way to counter the Octomoms and Duggars of the world is to add some smart open minded kids to it to bring some balance. Otherwise the world turns into Idiocracy one day.
Models should stfu and be the dress dummy they’re paid for
Word.
Shut up, Gisele. You are a model, look pretty in pictures. Don’t tell me how to give birth. thankyouverymuch.
ITA. Just shut up and look pretty.
Absolutely right! That airhead has no right to tell anyone but her child what to do.
Maybe you guys should shut up and look pretty. Try READING the article next time.
Birdie, that is the thing. I don’t think Gisele was trying to tell people what they HAD to do, she was just speaking up against legislation that took away some options for women.
Bah. Zonked out on drugs during my elective c section was much better FOR ME… so idk whatever suits you, but that was MY choice. We should all be given the option to birth however we want to, no woman is ever denied her right to have a natural birth, but many women have been denied c sections or epidurals. What a shame only some choices are available.
I am definitely of the “live and let live” feelings on childbirth and really anything involving reproductive rights, but I will say that there are plenty of women who are denied the right to follow their own birthing plan when it calls for a natural birth. Sometimes it’s for valid reasons like the baby being in distress, but often it’s because doctors are lazy or a hospital’s bottom line has become more important than anything else.
Yes, this is the absolute truth. Black & white views have no place in any discussion. I think it’s good that GB is bringing attention to what the government in Rio is doing.
i’m “pro-choice” and Gisele thinks what she wants
Honestly when I read the title I was assuming that is was going to be a “OH here we go with Giselle wanting to ban drugs for labor and delivery” article ( although at some point I could see her backing something like that ) I do agree that its crazy for any goverment to get involved in how women give birth but welcome to society. The Goverment thinks they know better for their people than they know for themselves, which is crap and always false. But I will say that when one of these ladies ( Giselle, Miranda and any other VS model who has been enlightened ) end up going through an extremely difficult labor and delievery their tunes may change and change fast.
My stance is the same as Kaiser’s. We all have opinions but this is something every woman needs to decide for herself. That being said I’m a little horrorfied at what is happening in Rio. I don’t see why such a ban needs to be made at all. It’s really a very personal decision. Personally, I wouldn’t give birth without a doctor there but that’s my choice for myself. I consider childbirth dangerous and I’d rather have someone there that can do something IF something goes wrong but again, my choice.
I wonder about the Rio law. I don’t know why they would want to restrict a woman’s options like that…However, it is possible that they have had a number of cases where women give birth at home with dulas or midwives, only to have an emergency situation arise that they weren’t equiped to handle. If they had a large number of mother/infant deaths because of this, it might have caused them to take action.
At first glance it seems like a massive overreach, but perhaps there is a reason behind it? I would need to know more before making a firm decisions.
+1
it always amazes me that an experience like giving birth to new life isnt bringing women closer together but is one of the topics that even seperates us more.
i havent seen anyone being meaner to each other than a mother to another mother.
I love the way you phrased that comment. It’s exactly how I feel, but couldn’t really articulate.
The mommy wars are sickening
Lol my BFF and I were both pregnant at the same time we have totally fallen out because of how we handeled pregnancy, and birth I was all about drugs she felt like I was harming my child my baby is wry happy and well adjusted hers on the other hand is having some issues
Lol my BFF and I were both pregnant at the same time we have totally fallen out because of how we handeled pregnancy, and birth I was all about drugs she felt like I was harming my child my baby is very happy and well adjusted hers on the other hand is having some issues
first time mothers can be the WORST. so preachy. go away goop jr.
I totally agree with Kaiser. Live and let live.
So, childbirth terrifies me, I just found out I’m having twins. My birth will certainly not be natural and I plan to have all the drugs available to me. Massive respect to women who have natural childbirth but I am one big fraidy cat!
Congratulations on your twins! I hope you have a great delivery, just the way you plan it, thank God we have choices!
Congrats on your twins!! Don’t be scared of childbirth, it’s a perfectly natural biological process but you pop dem babies out in whatever way makes you comfortable.
I had an epidural, it was awesome. And my baby had no problem going for boob afterwards, no idea what Miranda Kerr (the leading authority in anything to do with childbirth immediately after Gisele OBVIOUSLY) was on about. I suspect her intensive training in walking up and down in a straight line in her underwear may have lacked scientific education on obstetrics but that’s just speculation on my part.
@Miffy:
‘I suspect her intensive training in walking up and down in a straight line in her underwear may have lacked scientific education on obstetrics but that’s just speculation on my part.’ AHHAHAHHAHAHAHAAHAHHAHHAA
I don’t think Ms Kerr knows what she’s really going on about. I had 2 epidurals for 2 children and they nursed almost immediately.
I also think they’re not allowing fully natural births in hospitals because of liability issues, but that’s a whole other issue.
I agree also. I had three children, epidurals with each and still held my baby immediately afterwards and nursed them. It should be up to the hospitals if they allow midwives and doulas to deliver babies and what is the difference of a dr delivering a baby at home or treating a patient for something else at home. At one time we had doctors that made house calls. Believe the gov’t has gone to far in this.
Ha Ha Ha!! Miffy you made my day–I needed a good laugh and it’s oh so true!!
Hey, childbirth was my biggest phobia and I had an elective C section 9 months ago – total breeze! Go out for dinner the night before and enjoy it, the drugs are great, [well, not in Germany, they gave me Chamomile capsules – hello?] you’l be totally fine! Best of luck, it’s exciting!!
So this is my first post ever, but wanted to repy to you as I have lovely 4 month only twins and wanted to welcome you to the multiples club! Yes it is super scary at first, but it is such an amazing experience 🙂
I actually had a c-section on Dr’s orders, but it was quick and easy and probably the least stressful part of the whole hospital experience
I am all for letting women choose how they deliver AND how they feed thier children. I hope no one here judges me for this, but what bothered me the most while in the hospital were the lactation consultants…they just totally stressed me out with every visit. One of my boys was in the NICU and couldnt breastfeed because of respiratory distress and the other just wouldnt latch, and those consultants, although I know they meant well, were seriously driving me nuts. My doctor and our pedriatrician as well as the nurses were suggesting we give Jacob (who wouldnt latch) formula but those lactation consultants just kept pushing the breastfeeding and it drove me crazy. I was never able to get him to latch, though I was able to pump to get him some milk, but it was definitly difficult to produce enough for both of them and always had to rely on formula. Ever since that experience I realized how each situation is truly different and we shouldn’t judge anyone for their choices
Apologies for the super long first post 🙂
I am a grown-up identical twin, and I have to tell you, being a “multiple” is SO MUCH FUN!!!! 🙂
It isn’t just a great experience because you have someone that can look like you. It is great because you grow up with someone who is your direct peer who knows EXACTLY what the world was like for you and your family at every moment in your life. Having someone that always understands where you are coming from, even if they disagree with it, is such a blessing.
My sister is the greatest gift I have ever been given in my life. Congrats to both of you ladies on your multiples, your children will have a best friend for life!
Hi, Gem:
I also had three children (never twins) and have a close friend whose first pregnancy was twin boys.
Do whatever you, your medical team and your partner/hubby/wife think best in order for you to have as stress-free a labor and delivery as possible with the only outcome that really matters – healthy newborns and a tired, happy mom.
The one thing I would recommend to ANY parent(s)-to-be is to find someone you (both) love, trust and feel comfortable around and have that person come to birth class with you. That way, you have two people to care for you during labor/delivery and your spouse/partner (assuming you have one) and extra person are able to spell each other in taking care of you. I didn’t have that the first time out, but I did the second and third and it made a HUGE difference. (I also had babies 2&3 with certified nurse midwives presiding and doctors standing by – in hospital – and that was also very different than my first doctor-only birth, but that’s not so easy to find any more.)
I was scared when I learned I was having twins, as well. That’s normal, I think!
One of mine was breech ( the little guy closest to the exit), one wasn’t- I was given the option to try a vaginal delivery, which I quickly declined! Easy-peasy c-section, up and walking same day, boys fed like gang-busters right away. In fact, they did better than our first, who was a complicated vaginal delivery.
You’ll do great! And as another poster said, ” Welcome to the club”. When someone says to you, “Double trouble, huh?” look right at them and say, “No, twice as nice”.
I wonder if either of these models (not super, except for their egos) would be so open and vocal about their experiences if their second time around is very different and difficult.
It was certainly the case of a colleague who was pro-no drugs first time and then after the second delivery with drugs and forceps kept very quiet on her return to work!
Mothers-to-be need to be given info on what can happen and be left to make up their own minds without officials sticking their noses in.
I think it sounds like she is working towards women having whatever birth option they want which is right on.
I have decided to have another C-section, straight up. I had pre-eclampsia and had to sit in bed with a catheter up my you know, and then the epidural somehow caused both mine and the baby’s heart rate to drop significantly, forcing us into emergency c-section.
knowing I cant take the pain and knowing the epidural may cause the same problem, and the probability of me having preeclampsia again, and goodness gracious i LOVED being in the hospital for a week with my meals delivered, and a nursery for the baby, im totally doing it again. And i hope that CONTINUES to be my choice.
Amen to all you said Kaiser!
IMO as long as the health of the mother and baby are not jeopardized, you can give birth standing up, or hooked up to epidural drip down by the river, GO FOR IT! nobody can tell you what to do. You know your own body and how well your tolerance level of pain is.
I think that GB is advocating CHOICE, which is how it should be. I think the government needs to keep the hell away from women’s vaginas and stop legislating what a woman can/cannot do with her body.
+1. Really, what needs to be said beyond this?
I agree — as long as no one else’s body is being destroyed in the process.
Gisele really looks like a guy in the first pic.
Gisele is as big an idiot as Mayor Bloomberg and his “Latch On NYC” natural breastfeeding initiative.
No, you’re the idiot. Educate yourself about Bloomberg’s initiative and then open your big, fat, ignorant mouth.
I did, you jerk. It’s considerable overreaching of the government into what should be a PRIVATE MEDICAL DECISION. Read the Constitution, a$$hole, before you open YOUR mouth.
And by the way, we tend to be nice on these boards. So get an attitude adjustment, or get lost.
why is she allowed to talk?
I hate her. Can’t we find some reason to deport her?
Yes, we can. As long we can find reasons to deport every single person who’s ancestors are not native Americans… Let’s ship everybody who says/does something silly (etc) to the country of their heritage. What do you think?
You hate someone you don’t even know. You have issues…
I agree. I like Gisele and find a lot of what she says can be taken out of context. But even more importantly she supports a friend who is a midwife on her blog. Big fucking deal! It’s not even a Gisele story as much as it is a general ‘readers digest story’ Plus i read an article where Gisele always says that she believes any woman has a right to choose when it comes to giving birth.
My mum couldn’t breast feed me (medical issues).
All these adverts (“For your baby breast milk is perfect. Nothing compares to it” – Aptimil)and people like Gisele made her feel awful, like she had done wrong by me.
They shouldn’t put down other mothers for making different choices.
I’m an adopted child so my mom didn’t even have a choice to breastfeed. Good for the women who can and do, but not everyone is able to, and there are plenty of babies who grow up just fine without it.
Yes, thanks for pointing that out. I have two adopted sisters and one adopted nephew. I think all this focus on natural childbirth, breastfeeding, attachment parenting, blahblahblah…is weird. It’s all weird, but ESPECIALLY in a country like the US which has crap health care (kick you out of the hospital 24 hours after giving birth), crap maternity leave policies and just all around general crap care for women. So don’t offer that, on one hand, and then get all judgy on women who don’t want to get back to nature. But more to the point, plenty of ppl have kids without giving birth to them and this idea that you’ve got to give birth with a doula to give your kid the ‘best start in life’….shut up with that! (umm..talking to general public/Gisele/Miranda Kerr). Try giving the kid a stable home first (aided by good maternal care and proper maternity leave!) and let everyone else figure out the details for themselves. I really wish more attention were paid to those things as opposed to keeping women barefoot, pregnant and tied to the natural birthing bed.
I do not think the “mandatory” breastfeeding would apply to you or your mom anyway… But it would be great if it was really mandatory for those who can, because it would force some kind of compliance from those employers who do not allow breastfeeding options/time to their femañe workers.
It is hard tobreastfeed when one has to be back to work from the sixth week on, there are a few options, but not all of them are the ideal (pumping, etc).
If what she says helps, then welcome!
And I cannot have children, and I feel bad because of it, buypt I acknowledge that breastfeeding is the best if you can do it. I really have relatives that have not breastfed on advice of their mothers because (in their words): their breasts would become ugly and their husbandswould not like them anymore. (really???)
Fortunately, it is mandatory in the US that you be given access to a private (IE: non-bathroom) location where you can pump in peace. I was lucky enough to have a private office where I could shut my blinds and pump and work, but I had the option to go to a private closet and pump if I chose. If any employer is not complying with this regulation, they are at risk of multiple charges.
My employer, which is very high-profile company in the US, was putting women in the handicapped stall with a bench and an outlet. That is a HUGE no-no.
My friend experienced awful pain while trying to breast feed and switched to formula. So many people bashed her for her choice, it was awful.
I don’t really agree with “those who can, should.”
Instead of making it mandatory for those who can breastfeed to do so just to force businesses to comply with finding a private place to breast pump, go after the companies. Just because a woman can breastfeed doesn’t mean she should be forced to. I breastfed and there was no private place to pump and there were no laws in place at the time – but I made it work. If you are having a problem at your place of employment with it then go after the place of employment – not the women who can but choose not to breast feed.
I agree with all the people advocating for do whats best for you.
I tried natural childbirth and after 20 hours in labour the epidural was a much needed relief. After another 11 hours, I was thanking god I asked for it when I did because we ended up requiring an emergency C-section.
regardless of how you feel, as women we should vote for people that will protect our rights. rights to have choices, rights to not be somebody’s “property”, etc. women are losing rights with very few gains. why can’t we get someone elected that will just stay the F*$k out of women’s health unless it is to improve it?!?!
that’s the sad thing about women disagreeing… instead of banding together to be sure we are ALL treated as individuals with rights, we hate on each other for being different. we’re not doing girls of the future any service telling each other how to live when we should be telling law makers to protect our rights. not telling, demanding. we’re half the population. it isn’t impossible unless we just keep fighting each other.
if she wants to do it natural, fine. she should have the choice. she’s no doctor and if god forbid something goes wrong in her 2nd delivery, she might change her mind or the doctor might make the decision (in her best interest) to use medication. she has the right, as we all should.
we need not fight about the best or right way to give birth, how long to breast feed, botox or not, whatever, but fight about how a bunch of old white men want to dictate what we can and can’t do as women. we all need to fight for the right to be able to make the best decisions and choices for ourselves based on our own personal needs. not what some man decided was right for all of us, based on some ideology that isn’t applied to his own life.
end preachy rant.
You made my day and gave me hope that maybe, women in this country (the US) will finally tell all those old white men now telling us what to do with our bodies, where they can go! If you have never voted people, the 2012 election is important for women’s rights. If you want to maintain the right to make health decisions for yourself–whether you have a child or not, whether or not you have to pay for an un-needed ultrasound, whether you decide you have to abort for health reasons but can’t because your state has said your doctor doesn’t know best–you should take the time to read up on everyone running in your area–state and federal candidates will all have a say in what you do with your body so vote smart ladies.
100% behind you Poppy
I said it more succinctly above, comparing her idiocy to Bloomberg’s, which I think is an abominable infringement on women’s rights. And some jerk commenter named Rulla decided to call me names for it. I’m guessing she’s president of La Leche League? (An organization with a good concept, but bully tactics if you don’t agree with them.)
So thanks, Poppy, for clearing it all up! ITA with you!
Im keeping my options open. I just found out Im knocked up and my man and I are already discussing our options and trying to make plans(at only 6 weeks!) while every woman I know and her mother are giving me their two cents. While a natural birth sounds enticing in theory, my sister assured me once labor starts and Im at the hospital, Im going to want every drug they can give me right away. On the other hand, my best friend gave birth drug free (in FOUR HOURS) and said literally “the baby just pops out”. She’s also a runner though and incredibly athletic so I think that had something to do with it. I dunno, Im just not gonna hate on Gisele, if it worked for her it worked for her.
Congratulations! I hope you have a great pregnancy and delivery!
Congratulations and good luck! I went in open minded and ended up askin for an epidural. Actually screaming for one since I was induced and that supposedly makes it hurt worse. Idk for sure. Anyway I loved my epidural and I slept until it was time to push!
I agree – I think it’s probably easier if you do sports properly, know your body and are able to work with your body during giving birth.
My mom gave birth to me and my 3 siblings naturally and she said she could work with her body and make it easier with breathing and stuff and it was hard and tough (like real work), but she could handle it.
Everybody must have the opportunity to decide which way they want to go, but I think one should never forget, that a natural birth and breastfeeding are meant to be by nature and the best choice, if you have a choice. Thank god we do have more medical options today, so that women, who are not able to do it naturally, can be sure to have similar good options.
But in my opinion one should not have a c-section just to avoid the pain – there are women who are forced to do c-sections (child’s not laying right, twins,…), but one should not forget that every operation is a risk to your body. Victoria Beckham shouldn’t have had four kids with a c-section. Risk is much higher now, that the wound opens when she gets older. I think that people are way too carefree with operations today. If I need a c-section one day, then so be it. But I think one should make sure before, that there’s no other way (I don’t talk about c-sections which are necessary because a natural birth would risk the life of child and mother).
I don’t see how women do csections to avoid pain, anyway. It was an entire week of recovery and the toughest thing I’ve ever went through.
Yay, congratulations! It is all about choice. If you are considering natural, that is absolutely up to you, but it is worth it to go to the consultation with the anesth. just to be prepared. I had planned to go with an IV instead of the epidural, but did the consult anyways, and boy-o was I glad I did. About 6 hours into the most painful back labor I could imagine, I was SO happy to see that giant needle coming my way.
Many wishes for a healthy, happy, lovely pregnancy with a healthy baby, glowing skin, no stretch marks, no morning sickness, and baby weight that falls off without effort!
Congratulations! Wishing you and your baby the best.
My friend is a midwife and she says it’s always best to keep your options open because no two births are the same.
I had a medical condition that basically meant I was unable to move much for most of the pregnancy – really severe SPD/PGP. Even swimming was out, as you are so suuported you don’t know you are damaging yourself until you get out. I ended up in a wheelchair by the end, and I was scared stiff that being that inactive (and fat – I comfort ate, and went from 106 pounds to 160!) would mean labour was hell.
Four hours, and all I needed was a waterbirth and some gas and air. I promise you, I hate pain. I would scream for an epidural for a bikini wax if they let me. I just never needed the drugs. Never hurt that much. I wish I’d known that was possible when I was pregnant, because I was in so much pain from the SPD that the birth was terrifying me.
It can be really, really easy. Just try to relax and do what feels right. I loved giving birth. It’s a happy, happy memory now.
I am a woman and politics and religion should stay far away from my fucking uterus. The uterus is mine, homies. MINE!
People put too much emphasis on giving burn. It was a life changing experience? You know what changed my life? My baby.
+1,000,000
Well said.
Would’ve been better said if I didn’t have a typo up there. That’s supposed to be birth not burn! Lol
Honestly for once I agree with her.
Women who want to deliver at home or want a doula should be able to make that decision for themselves. Just like women who want to deliver in a hospital should have that choice.
Either way the gov’t needs to stay out of it and with a woman’s choices for her family.
I think it’s all well and good for a woman to have a choice and give birth at home. However, there are plenty of people out there who as a result of all this natural birth prosteletizing, will force one, even if it’s not recommended because of medical concerns. Then if something goes wrong, they will sue anyone and everyone they can think of because they weren’t “adequately” warned of the dangers of a home birth, blah, blah, blah. So many people don’t want to take personal responsibility for their own decisions and I say this as a prior litigation attorney who has seen her fair share of ridiculous lawsuits that should have never been filed. Even if you have a picture perfect pregnancy, things still happen during labor which could result in mom and baby needing immediate, emergency medical intervention which you can’t get at home (speaking from personal experience on this one.)
So help me God, I agree with Gisele.
Rio’s new legislation is medieval and barbaric and sexist, you don’t see them passing any laws on what men can and can’t do with their genitalia.
Why should a doula be allowed to practic in a hospital? Hospitals have rules about who is allowed to practice there; what types of malpractice insurance the doctor requires before being allowed to practice there; the jurisdiction between doctors, nurses, orderlies, lab techs; etc. Why the hell should a doula be able to walk in off the street and practice in a hospital?
If a woman wants to take the risk of having a midwife instead of a doctor, then don’t go to a hospital. Hospitals are for urgent medical care. If you don’t consider giving birth as requiring medical care, then don’t go to a hospital. But don’t bring your personal doula to a hospital and expect the hospital to permit him or her to practice there.
I was just about to leave the same reply. I agree entirely! Leave the doulas out of the hospital. If you want a doula, have birth at home.
I agree with you on some points…and to me, this legislation (going by this post alone) seems to be about liability, rather than restricting women’s choice. However, I disagree with you that having a midwife is a risk; it all depends on their qualification and experience, just like a doctor. For someone looking for a natural birth experience, not everyone is lucky to have options that I had: midwife and OB from the same practice (I saw both during my pregnancy) and delivering at a birth center at a hospital.
That isn’t really how doulas work. They don’t really “practice” in the medical sense of the word. If a family chose to hire a doula, she is there as an employee of the family & the family is allowed to have one there that they want.
Anyway, all governments should stay the hell out of the birthing room
I’m a doula. We don’t practice medicine. We are professional birth *support*. We’re trained to provide physical (like positioning, massage, natural pain relief techniques, etc.), informational, and emotional support. A woman deserves to have any support person she wants during labor, especially, im(obviously somewhat biased)o, someone who is trained and knowledgeable about childbirth and can help guide them through their options if things must deviate from their birth plans. Many people feel more comfortable with a midwife, who often stays for the whole labor (unlike OBs) or doulas, who work directly for them and their wishes, not the hospital, docs, or insurance companies. A doula is really supposed to do nothing but help support the mom through HER choices, not make choices for them or in any other way fight with the care providers. We’re simply there for support.
It doesn’t sound like Gisele is fighting for her way or the highway, as I expected and obviously as some people read it. She’s advocating choice, and that’s definitely important. Women deserve to have the birth experiences they want, with the people they feel comfortable with.
Brazil has a fairly bad reputation as far as rampantly over-medicalized births and an astounding cesarean rate that just keeps growing. Taking women’s birth choices is only going to do more harm.
Don’t get me started on this sanctimonious bitch.
Put a ‘stache on her and Giselle looks just like Alex Pettyfer –
http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BNzI5OTkxNzIwNF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwNDY3MDkwNA@@._V1._SX214_CR0,0,214,314_.jpg
Most likely she feels this way because she was raised in a country where 90% of the women elect for a C-section. Plus, she, like any intelligent parent-to-be, probably read up on the possible complications from planned C-sections. Moreover, she probably had a gosh darn fabulous birthing experience- what can I say- some people have all the luck. All the possible variables/outcomes with or without the knife are true- just a gamble of whether it will happen to you and your baby. That being said, it is not easy finding doctors who specialize in natural birth here in Brazil- and when you do- expect to pay the big bucks.
I have 3 kids. My first 2 were emergency un planned C-Sectioms. Had I Not had an epidural, I would have had to of neen knocked out. My third I didn’t even try. lol Planned C-Section from the start. Let’s see what happens when one of those celeb experts have an emergency and are put to sleep for the birth. Ha (Not that there is anything wrong with that just making a point) 😉
Wow it seems at every turn someone is telling women they are WRONG in any and every decision they make. I know men are forever voicing an opinion about that which they won’t ever fully understand. But when women do it to other women.
WE ARE IN SERIOUS TROUBLE ladies..
When it is time, I hope her baby is breech so she gets a c-section. Not all of us choose this way for birth, it is what is best for a stressing baby
Wow, thats really mean. And breach babies can be born vaginally, my friend did it 2 months ago
Mm no not really mean. I work in a perinatal specialty hospital and lemme tell you, not all these women choose to have complications when it comes to giving birth. I being one of those.
Being mean would actually be more like when someone who has been very lucky pushing it down everyone’s throats about how easy and breezy it was for her and how everyone should be doing it that same way also.
Sorry. I think everyone has the right to make their choice and what is in the best interest of the mother and infant. sometimes it takes experiencing that to understand and there fore I would Like her to understand
Mm, yeah, wishing potential life threatening complication on a mother & child is mean.
And of course no one wants complications, that is why they are called “complications.”
I do agree with you that every woman should have the freedom to make the decision as to what is best for them & their child.
Talking about a positive experience isn’t being mean to someone who may not have had as positive an experience. I was only able to nurse my son for a little over a month & it has taken me a long time to get over being upset when someone talks about their great experiences nursing. They aren’t talking about it to make me feel bad, just as Gisele isn’t talking about natural childbirth to make those who didn’t experience it feel bad
@Bodhi: I completely agree with you! Unless I missed something she said. There is nothing there saying she said people should only have natural delivery. Yes, it is the ideal, but many women cannot have it for a variety of reasons.She is advocating about something she believes and I guess the Brazilian Government is somehow interfering, etc.
The way people get angry about her statement (and emotional about it) shows how much human beings envy others achievements. Good for those women who can have a wonderful natural delivery! I wish it would be the same for all women. Unfortunately, it is not and for those of you who cannot have a natural delivery and you are as great as any other mother. So, let’s stop this hate/anger? Thanks.
Choice. Freedom. A rose by any other name.
Personally, since the pain of childbirth is roughly equivalent to that of a limb amputation w/o anesthesia, I’d opt for the meds.
Ugh, I wish models would just stick to what they do best, modeling.
Celebs are always advocates for their pet agendas. Natural child birth is wonderful~~ done it three times myself. Breast-feeding is universally & scientifically-acknowledged to be healthier for several reasons.
Free choice always, but she is right.
I do not care what Giselle thinks (stupid little girl). But I am offended that a woman’s choices are being narrowed to an all-or-nothing by the health board in Brazil. What if a woman wants to use a mid-wife but wants the extra security of giving birth in a hospital in case anything goes wrong? Or wants a doctor there but wants to give birth at home? Why the massive FORCED dividing line between midwives and doctors, between home and hospital? The focus should be on safety for the mother and baby. This law doesn’t do that.
A midwife/doula should not be allowed to practice in a hospital because it is the hospital and their doctors that will be sued, if the mom has complications and waits to long to request a doctors services. A hospital is for urgent care. You, as the mom, have a choice – you can opt for a home birth or you can have a delivery at the hospital by a doctor. Also, just because a doctor is delivering the baby, doesn’t mean he/she will force you to take drugs.You can still have a natural birth at a hospital. You just can’t have a doula present.
A midwife/doula should not be allowed to practice in a hospital because it is the hospital and their doctors that will be sued, if the mom has complications and waits to long to request a doctors services.
This is based on false logic. Midwives carry malpractice insurance just like doctors do. And if they have admitting privileges at a hospital, the hospital would have to be on board with the midwife model of care & delivery (which totally allows for drugs). There are many midwives who work for hospitals & only deliver in them. It is ridiculous to suggest that midwives be banned from hospitals.
And saying that hospitals are for urgent care only is false as well. Doctors do non-urgent deliveries in them all the time
You have midwives and doctors in the UK, and a doula is allowed in with you, no problem, as a birth partner. No formal status for the reasons you state, but a doula shouldn’t be more than a helper, anyway. Not the role.
In this country midwives and doctors work together just fine. Doctors get called in if things are starting to get complicated, or an epidural requires an anaesthetist, that’s all.
Good heavens! A doula is a person that is hired by the family or woman to speak on her behalf during the birth.Anybody can be a doula. The doula is there to ensure that the birth plan agreed to prior to birth is carried out. Some of them can be incredibly militant and rather ghastly but the family/woman hired them so…
A midwife is a person that has many years of qualifications. Is often a Nurse Practitioner as well and is there to assist a woman to move through her pregancy, give birth and care for herself and her baby 6 weeks after birth in an uncomplicated setting. If complications occur it is the midwife’s job to call in someone that deals with complications ie. ob/gynae.
Alright I’m going to weigh in on this one. Do I think it is the woman’s right to decide how she gives birth? Yes. BUT! If you want a C-section or you have someone from the “Save the Vagina” society pushing you to have a C-section for no real medical reason then don’t expect someone else to pay for it. C-sections are often unnecessary and cost a fortune in increased hospital stays infection rates and unhealthy babies. I say let it be like the Netherlands where you have a midwife lead pregnancy birth etc unless there are issues which means that you are referred to an ob/gynae. But you can still pay for your c-section if you wish, it’s just that the public purse won’t pay for it. The result?
The world health organisation has stated that the cost of unnecessary c-sections being performed is a barrier to universal health care because of the cost associated with it.
That extra cost is one of the reasons that women are often pushed into having c-sections. Because hospitals and ob/gynae’s actually earn more by having a higher c-section rate.
So do I think that the governments should interfere? Hell yes! I personally am sick of paying for other peoples kids once they have had them let alone paying for their choice in the way they have them.
I wouldn’t be so swift to cite the Netherlands if I were you. They have one of the lowest maternal satisfaction scores. Most women aren’t that keen on being made to give birth at home without any pain relief at all, when other options exist.
Properly educated, and with real options, I doubt most women would opt for a section. It’s a major operation with a long recovery time and considerable pain. A normal vaginal labour, properly supported and with appropriate pain relief as needed, is easier for most people. Most British women give birth vaginally, though if someone is genuinely phobic that’s also seen as reason to provide a section. And a section is safer for women who have a breech or a multiple pregnancy, too.
I don’t believe a section is that problematic financially, either, because most women only have one or two kids these days and there are a lot of things that cost the country more than a one-off event. Disease caused by poor diet and lack of exercise for a start.
In the UK we have what you describe, with the difference that only 2 midwives will attend a home birth for free. If you want a doctor there too, you’d have to find some way to pay for that. Otherwise, you can give birth at home with two midwives; in a hippy midwife led birthing unit; or a consultant led high tech one. And if the hippy birth is too painful or takes too long, you can transfer over to the consultant-led. As a matter of fact most women when I had my baby did the second, but the hospital said that they still thought it was worth it because it meant those women had a pleasant and relaxing early labour in a homely environment, which makes sense.
You can also have a doula present, but they have no medical standing and must defer to those who do, for insurance reasons (and that’s common sense, as a doula is only meant to be a skilled birthing partner, anyway, at least over here).
Exactly, thank you. I don’t know where people are getting the idea that a doula is a medical practitioner. I don’t know how it works in the UK, but in the States a family hires the doula & they are there at the behest of the family.
I love that model of birth! I had my son at a free standing birth center staffed by midwives. I was lucky to have that option & I wish that more women had an alternative to what is now the standard hospital delivery
When Giselle and Miranda endure 88 hours of hard labor before a doctor finally induces…all without the help of an epidural because I decided too late I wanted something–then I might give what they say half of a second’s attention. They obviously are lucky with pregnancies and great for them. But please, shut up with telling the rest of us what we should do. I do have to say I agree that what’s happening in Rio is scary for women. But hey–look at what’s going on right here in the USA. I’m a mother but feel very strongly that women have the right to choose what to do with their bodies. In Virginia, women now must pay for their own ultrasounds and this is an improvement over the first law passed by their state legislature. The first one required an intrauterus ultrasound. This kind of legislation is happening all over the US. Planned Parenthood is being banned all over the US because law makers say all they do is abortions. BS! 3% of their medical procedures are abortions. 97% is medical care and preventive care for poor women who don’t have health insurance. Young women need to grow up and open their eyes. If you don’t, you will soon not have any rights as far as your body is concerned.
I was determined to go with a natural childbirth but at the last minute the baby got hung up on my tailbone and they had to do a saddle block and pull the baby with forceps.
After I was kinda bemoaning that I didn’t get to do it “naturally” and my doctor came over and said, “100 years ago you would have had no choice but to do a natural birth and then you and your baby would have died.” That straightened me right up!
We do forget that there was a time that women dropped like flies giving birth. For those with the perfect pelvic set up birth can be a joyous journey. But there are also a lot of women who are alive now because doctors can do so much more to help.
No one should judge how another woman gives birth. A healthy mama and baby at the end is what counts.
This!
I’m glad she had an easy time of it, good for her. But neither her or Miranda should be telling other women what to do. Every womens situation is different. Keep in your own vagina and stay outta mine.
It’s hilarious: Holland is always cited as a perfect example of wonderful home births, because almost everyone has one, without any drugs, and only very high risk mothers go to hospital. And true enough, they have a good safety record (small country, well funded state hospitals, almost everyone is near one if something does go wrong). BUT… studies on maternal satisfaction show they’re shockingly low in Holland. Women absolutely hate their provision, because birth is very painful for most women, and they’d really rather like the option of drugs, thank you very much.
Moral: it is pretty much safe for most people to give birth at home and without drugs. But guess what? It hurts like freaking hell and most women HATE that they have to do so.
I gave birth in a midwife led unit attached to a top-rated OB-GYN unit in a major teaching hospital. So I got my waterpool, beanbags, soft lighting and whale music (okay, I lie about the whale music – though there was this rainbow phasing light on the ceiling above the pool as a “focus object”. I kid you not) AND I knew I had the choice of an epidural (plus an operating theatre, if it really went pearshaped) one floor above me. That’s genuine choice, right there. It was nice and relaxing, which is definitely helpful when having a baby.
I wish people would stop saying what other women should do with their vaginas/uterii/lives. Offering a safe choice is so hard… why, exactly?
And Gisele needs to STFU, because any woman who found birth painless is in a poor position to say how other women should do it. By definition, she’s in a tiny, and exceedingly fortunate minority.
women like her shoould keep their lips sealed what if a mom has pre-eclampsia or a large baby that can’t fit through her pelvis. is Gisele saying she should risk her & her childs lives for a natural birth. when it comes to the breastfeeding thing what if the babies sucking muscles are parallized due to the use of forcepts and they can’t suck from their mothers breast. Is this bitch saying those babies should starve to death because their mother can’t nurse them
Exagerating much?
If a baby has that problem, and his mother wants to give them breast milk, she could pump and give it to him. A friend of mine had a premie and she used to pump to complement nutrition for her tiny girl.
Also, @ Dana if you don’t or can’t have children, how is it going to apply to you a birth law.
Many comments here just sound hateful for the sake of being hateful.
When it comes to childbirth, it is difficult to exaggerate, Ennie. While the comments may sound hateful, it is merely the result of the strong emotions that childbirth arouses. I’m sure Gisele was treated with great dignity and respect at all times, considering who she is. During my childbirth experience, not only was I treated poorly as a human being, but very nearly lost my baby due to the persistence of my nurses and doctor that I deliver vaginally no matter what the circumstances. And when you are in that situation of giving birth, you have very few choices if you disagree with the treatment you and your unborn are receiving.
If I hadn’t have had emergency medical intervention during labour, my daughter wouldn’t have been born. The nurses & anaethetist saved her life.
Giselle honey, stick to modelling.
Here we go again. So now this dumb *itch wants natural childbirth AND nursing to be the laws of the land. What if a woman decides not to have children, death penalty?
As harsh as I may sound at face value, I can not imagine anyone caring what her opinion is really about anything. Especially as an authority on childbirth. I was ready to deliver my first child at 29, knew that I was mature enough to know that gazillions before me had done the same, so had no real concerns. I didn’t have time for child birth classes, being that I had just moved to a new state, new marriage, new job. But nature kicked in, and being tall, I found that many tall women actually have a narrow birth canal, as opposed to petite women, who seem to be able to projectile birth while exhaling. I didn’t fuss with asking for anything special, but thank God I at least opted a hospital, in liew of a midwife like some of my braver friends. You can’t predict when your child is going to go into feta distress, even if you think you are some kind of strong, or strong willed, knowledgeble person..that is rediculous. At that point, I guarantee you, the only thought on a mother’s mind is get my baby. I remember that clearly, and I wasn’t scared for myself at all. After that, and the advisement of Dr’s. C-Sections all the way. I remember one friend calling mew after the birth of my first son, trying to console (?) me over the C-Section. I had zero idea what she was talking about, since I was doopy in love with my child. How does this matter? All it told me was that it does matter to some women. Maybe she felt that she was being sensitive. Anyway, sorry to rant, but I can’t seem to help but to feel offended when overpriveledged, non-real-world-life experienced, ‘women’ preach, or pontificate. I have had four children by birth, one more I have the privilege of calling daughter by marrying her father once she was nearlyl grown. One thing experienced women understand, when it comes to being a wife, mother, childbearer, nursing mom, or non nursing mom, or woman that chooses to do none of these things, we should stop offering pontificating advice. I should probably give her an excuse for being ‘young’, but by that I mean, maturity, not years. Honestly, I can’t think of any reason I would ever want to meet this female in person, and be forced to listen to her thoughts. Sorry, mean rant over
Thank you!! I couldn’t have said it better! And there is a huge difference between being young and on medicaid and having a baby and being wealthy & overprivileged and having a baby. When I had my son 18 years ago and was on medicaid, we nearly lost him. If I had been a person of importance, I know my nightmare of a birth experience would not have happened.
Thanks Alice, and I am very sorry to hear of your bad experience. But I believe you implied that your child is well now, at least I pray that I am correct. I had two bad experiences being on medicaid myself with Shands Hospital. I believe they get very jaded there, and unless you are flown in on a high profile life flight situation, you are a lower class.
And sorry to all for my spelling errors before. I had one of my special Florida Lemonaids and I am on my last pair of contacts. I guess I could barely see through them. 🙂
YES! Love this comment. Some women are just happy to have healthy children and don’t give a crap how it’s birthed as long as it comes out whole and healthy. This whole discussion about natural vs. drugs, c-section vs. pushing….belongs on whitewhine.com. Nobody even has the right to an opinion about YOUR means of giving birth since they dont know WHY it was carried out that way and they have no business bringing their dark clouds of judgment on your happy moment! Sorry, get all emotional about it because that is totally something my mother in law would do to me.
Gisele is a model. Her main talent is standing there looking pretty, not thinking. She should really just stick to that.
As I sit here reading this holding my 4day old. I tired hard to have a natural birth. 12hrs only resulted in being dialated to 5cm I had to give up on the idea of natural. Got a spinal block and 30min later she was born via. C-section. She was stuck and wouldn’t make it down the birth canal so not everyone can go natural. She wasn’t a big baby either 7lb 1oz.
Everybody has different needs.
This reminds me Giselle comes from a country with a history of socialism and facisim.
This woman is a effing idiot! She should have learned more tricks from her trade. Mainly, keep your damn mouth shut!
And a country with nearly a 90% c-section rate. There is no way in hell that 90% of pregnant Brazilian women actually NEED c-sections. They are a wonderful medical advancement… for those who need them.
She is saying that the government needs to stay out of a woman’s delivery options, not be more involved
There’s definitely a trend that mothers choose c-sections without medical need. A c-section is an option if the birth would harm mother or child, not a choice of lifestyle.
Natural birth is healthier for mother and child – that’s a fact.
I don’t condemn epidurals or c-sections with medical need. In the end every woman has the right to choose how she wants to give birth. I’m just afraid many women are not properly informed or pushed by a doctor to do c-sections (in Europe it’s cheaper for the hospitals to do c-sections because they can plan time and staff).
As a European I can assure you that sections in the UK are only used when necessary, or the mother really wants one. You are strongly encouraged to go for a natural delivery because it’s better for you. It’s also cheaper, because you don’t need so long in hospital afterwards and there’s less risk of post-op infection/complications.
Bodhi, there’s no way 90% of childbirths in Brazil are via C-section.
According to a Unicef report, Brazil has indeed the highest C-section rate in the world, but the number is actually 44% (data from July, 2011).
And I don’t if that’s been said above already, but the reason why they’re so popular here is because doctors usually push that. It takes less time to perform a C-section than to assist a woman’s labor, not to mention that it can be scheduled. So the reason is rather simple: they want more time to make more money.
P.S.: That 90% may come from C-sections performed in private clinics, but I couldn’t find a reliable webiste with the info.
This reminds me Giselle comes from a country with a history of socialism and facisim.
What an ignorant statement.
I don’t know which country you’re talking about. Because it certainly isn’t Brazil — a country that only recently got rid of a vicious right-winged dictatorship, a country with a HUGE social gap — where the rich are still incredibly privileged and in many ways live above the law — CANNOT be described as a socialist one.
You’re confusing communism and socialism, if you’re comparing one to fascism. I don’t comprehend why socialism is such a dirty word in the USA. You use state education, or approve its presence, presumably? That’s socialism. It isn’t total redistribution, it’s trying to provide some basically decent level of provision for everyone in terms of rights to housing, food, education and health. Why is that seen as terrible?
And I think you’re confusing Chile with Brazil, in political terms, too.
Kate, Americans are obsessed with words they don’t understand. But as a Canadian who lived in the US for 14 years, sorry Americans, I’ll take my SOCIALIST health care system over yours any day, hands down, not thinking twice. My mother had six babies free of charge in Canadian hospitals and I watched how she was treated. My friend had three babies in American hospitals and I’ll pass on that experience. Forever. Try focusing on that–how women are treated by doctors, by society, by men–rather than your right to give birth as if it were 1802.
Gisele would feel very different about her natural approach to childbirth if her baby was breached, if there were other complications during birth, or if an emergency c-section were needed. If a person, such as Gisele, is going to share her views with the world, then she needs to be more intelligent while advocating a topic as complex as childbirth. She got lucky that her first birth was an easier one, without complication. A lot of women are not so lucky! She needs to just put a cork in it and keep her views & small-minded opinions to her self.
I am as much as an advocate of natural childbirth as Gisele (as much as I hate her) & I don’t think she would.
The point is, most medical interventions are unnecessary. We are lucky as hell to live in a time when, if needed, there are ways to get in & save mother & baby as soon as possible. That doesn’t mean that all pregnancies & births need medical interventions.
Advocating natural childbirth does not mean doing so at the risk of moms & babies. If a mom & baby need medical intervention then by all means, they should have it! Everyone can agree that nothing is more important that the health of mom & baby.
It is the responsibility of the family & the doctor to discuss all available options. And no one, government officials, doctors, advocates, etc should interfere with a mom’s choice as to how she should give birth
Well I think what isn’t intelligent is assuming Gisele thinks that all the pregnant women on the planet MUST give birth naturally. I think she’s intelligent enough to be aiming at complication free women anyway and she isn’t meddling with facts (Miranda Kerr.) I doubt she would come out and say “oh even breach deliveries which threaten a mother’s welfare should be done naturally and at home with peaceful music in the background!” I don’t understand why people interpret her comments in such a myopic way- I guess it’s believing everything against someone you dislike be it true, false or misconstrued.
.
“She just needs to put a cork in it”…..maybe she should put a cork in her vagina whilst she’s at it!
Just a correction: the C-section surgeries rate in Brazil is indeed very high — the highest in the world. But it isn’t 90% as some are saying above. It’s 44% (from a Unicef report).
The 90% (or more) rate is related to C-sections performed in private clinics — it does not represent the country’s total rate.
Lightning rod for stupid. She also likes to lick the plug before she puts it in the socket..
F**K OFF Gisele!
What an effing hypocrite! She said there should be a WORLD-WDE LAW REQUIRING WOMEN TO BREASTFEED, but then she turns around and gets offended because Rio doesn’t allow midwives to practice in a hospital.
I guess laws are great when they agree with your personal choice, and terrible when then encourage a different choice, huh Giselle? What an assh-le.
Btw, for all the people who say if medical intervention is necessary, the home-birth proponents would support it: some problems require intervention IMMEDIATELY, such as an amniotic embolism (which also cannot be predicted). If you were giving birth at home when it happens, it’s too late, and that’s why it’s one of the leading causes of materal death during childbirth.
When the moment came, I wanted to be in the hospital and get an epidural as fast as I could!!!! There´s nothing gentle about childbirth, it´s not a movie, it´s real life overwhelming pain!!!! For God´s sake! Now people will start thinking it is a piece of cake to give birth and we women will have to go through all the pain at home. And waht happens if something goes wrong and the baby or the mother needs special hospital equipment? Stop the bs, Gisele, leave us alone. Have your babies the way you want and let other people choose their way as well. Enjoy your super life, you are so fortunate, stop telling people how you think they should live their lives!!!