For fourth one weeks and three days I had watching her pregnancy – my
sister’s pregnancy. With it, there was a great wish to break a taboo that is in
society (something so common in other times): the natural birth. During all
that time, she studied about the subject, its benefits and also its
arbitrariness. Yet, she remained strong with her choice.
By choosing the natural and humanized birth, she faced, at beginning,
her husband (my brother-in-law), which over time realized how beneficial it
would be for the child who would come and for her; at the end, he realized how
beneficial it was for him too. She gained support and encouragement from her
brothers and sister, who understood that that desire it was not a simple “fad”,
but a deep desire to give her child what he (Isaac) deserved, to provide him a
calm arrival.
She also had to hide her choice. Not by selfishness but by protecting
her own desire – the natural birth is seen as something freak, and the
humanized birth is seen as something insane and wild. From beginning to end,
she faced it all.
Keeping her choice, she researched a lot about the issue; she hired a
doula – one that provided physical and emotional support throughout the
pregnancy and childbirth process; she hired midwives – currently known as
obstetricians, who were absolutely important in labor, providing an amazing
structure whitin the family environment. Thais, my sister, realized she would
not be helpless and could proceed with her choice until the end – or beginning.
Soon – or not so soon – she found that the baby she was carrying in her
womb was a boy. It was Isaac. And more happiness came from then. Studies about
the humanized birth were never-ending, and not just part of her, but also by
the husband and we – brethren. We always talked about it. And we yearned for
the arrival of Isaac.
Near the end of pregnancy, about the thirty-ninth week, it was asked an
ultrasound for her. When she arrived at lab, asked her how many weeks she was;
answering what was asked her, immediately they rebuked her for being there, and
not in a hospital. On examination, she was diagnosed with low amniotic fluid,
placenta in level 3 – maximum level of maturity – and an outstanding circular
cord – when the umbilical cord is wrapped around the baby’s neck. It made her
upset.
As my brother-in-law was at work and away, we (myself, my husband and my
other sister) arranged to pick up the car and take her to another lab to do
another ultrasound; there, unlike the first, she did not mentioned anything
about the pregnancy time, and not on the result of the previous examination.
The doctor who attended, took the exam; result: no circular cord and an
adequate amniotic fluid level.
We were excited with the result, but appalled by the system. System,
this, by cesarean interventions. According to the Brazilian Ministry of Health,
2013, normal births in the Brazilian SUS (National Health System) account for
63.2%, while the percentage of natural births in private hospitals reaches less
than 20%. On that account, Brazil reaches the top of the world ranking of
cesarean interventions.
The problem is that many of those interventions are unnecessary –
scheduled for the birth in specific day, comfort for doctors and parents, not
to suffer pain; or by manipulation of doctors that induce the mother to choose
the intervention, by placing dozens of obstacles that, if studied, do not
prevent anything for the natural birth.
In Brazil, the cesarean interventions are the priority and the
appointment of doctors, while the natural birth is considered the abnormal. And
what happened to my sister proved that that system exists.
After the worry, it began the preparations for the long-awaited moment –
the baby moment, because he would come whenever he wanted to. And it was that
way. Prodroms – the “pre-labor”, when contractions are very irregular and far
between, but preparing the pregnant for the labor – started around the
thirty-seventh week and lasted until the forty first week (four weeks of irregular
contractions). But Thais keep strong. Although warned about the problems of
other people watching the childbirth – as the delay to engage in labor –, she
wanted, even then, my sister and I watching it.
On Tuesday night we were warned she was having contractions less spaced.
That night, we can’t sleep. At 5h30 on Wednesday we went to her house – I,
photographer, and my sister, watcher. We spent the whole day there, helping
with my brother-in-law (Fábio), and the doula – which had an endless
participation in that process. We exchanged naps to help her and to score
contractions; but it was not that time. At 2h00 on Thursday, the midwife – who had
been called to check the progress of the process – asked us to go home, as this
(our presence) was making the labor difficult for her (Thais) engaged indeed in
labor. So we left it.
The Thursday was of anxiety. All the time with the mobile in hand, waiting
for a message or a call; but nothing – we had forgot that it was Isaac’s time,
not ours.
On Friday morning, my sister – who waited anxiously like me – sent me a
message saying that Thais already was nine centimeters dilated. Shortly after,
at 15h00, she called me and said that Isaac was born. I saw nothing in front of
me, what I did was put on my shoes and go out from my house; we went to her
house. Once there, we find the two midwives and the doula, and thank them so
much for everything; we saw blood stains on the kitchen floor, bags with dirty
cloths and bloodied paper, and all the equipment of the midwives – properly safeguarded
not to let the mother and the baby in troubles in an emergency. We went to the room.
In the soft light in bed, Thais was lying; in her lap, Isaac slept,
wrapped in a blanket. Fabio, my brother-in-law, watched the two, and you could
see in his eyes the satisfaction of that moment.
I hugged Fabio and congratulated him on having been strong since the beginning
of pregnancy and having supported my sister in her decision. He cried, said
that really wanted me and my sister there at the birth time, but we said that we
had no problem, we were there in thought, because we understood the grandeur of
the situation and how the moment was for both of them (the couple). I kissed
Thais and congratulated her on having been so strong, too.
Finally, I saw Isaac.
When I looked that little prince, my eyes filled with tears. I remembered
the endless strength of my sister during all the suffered contractions. I
wondered, if my emotions and my satisfaction were so long, they would be
greatly satisfied; giving birth at home, in the comfort of your home, feeding at
the time you want to, taking a shower when you want to, dressing in clothes
that you want to (and if you want to be dressed), having the company of each
other at all time, being in the best position for you, staying in the room with
the light that you feel most comfortable. It is incredible! It is, in fact,
reborn. Isaac could stay there, next to his mom, for all
the time. Fabio could get there without having to stand in anguish to wait her
back to the room, or spend hours without eating. We, the family, we were able
to visit and see them all together, without waiting for another visit out of
the room.
I am not saying that the cesarean intervention must be banned, because
it is totally useful – but when it is required. It is useful in emergencies
where no option for it can cause the baby or the mother’s death.
But I tell you that everything must be rethought; that the natural and,
who knows, the humanized birth need to be known by all those who want to have
children. Everything is fine, and I think it was in a hospital could not have
been so – no unnecessarily.
Women need to rediscover the strength and the ability they have. They
need to be supported by society, not judged. No more fear, uncertainties… Let’s
look to the future and rediscover the past!
It is like we have been hearing throughout pregnancy, and we concluded
at the end: “Babies know how to birth and
women knows how to give birth!”.
