My first was a necessary c-section after I labored for 34 hours (with a failed epi) and pushed for 2+ hours. I ended up needing a c-section because my son was posterior and he ended up being 9 lb 13 oz and simply would not fit in my pelvis. Could we have continued to push for a natural delivery? Sure. But rather than yank him out with a vacuum or forceps and risk injuring him and me all for the sake of "giving birth naturally" I'd have much rather have the c-section and I have no regrets. My son was perfect & healthy and in the end, isn't that all that matters?

My 2nd and 3rd babies were 9 lb 13 oz and 10 lb 7.5 oz and I was thankful to have c-sections with them!. And my repeat c-section experiences were night and day difference from my first – they were so much better.

You can say I didn't "give birth" but in my mind, I most certainly did.

Well, I had both of my sons by c-section. And yes, I was absolutely devastated with my first one. After 17 hours of labor (with no pain relief, I might add – my epidurals failed), I had to have a c-section because my son was facing my left side instead of my back and he was stuck in the birth canal. The main problem was that after 17 hours, I hadn't dilated past a 6, so the doctor couldn't reach in and turn him around. So, I had to have an emergency c-section. I felt jilted. I felt like a failure. I was devastated.

My second son was a c-section because my hospital's policy is to not perform VBACs. And I have to admit, I had a wonderful c-section experience with my second child. Absolutely wonderful. No painful labor, I was relaxed, I knew what was coming and I loved it.

While I agree with you that c-sections can be risky, I have to disagree with you about not being able to call a c-section "giving birth." I think it is wrong to take that right away from a mother just because she had to deliver her baby surgically. After carrying a baby for nine months, a mother should be able to say she "gave birth" to her child. At our most basic, women are put on this earth to create life and give birth to the human race. What an amazing ability!! What an honor! No one should take that away from her. A birth can happen many different ways and as long as mother and baby are healthy, then really, what else matters?

I do however think that some and maybe even most natural-birth moms hear anyone mention c-section and they automatically turn their noses up or think you don't ever need a c-section. So really it goes both ways.

Thanks for this thought provoking post J!!

Having said these things, however, I still must respectfully disagree that a c-section does not count as a "true birth" experience. I've not had a c-section, but I would imagine those that have would disagree that they have not given birth. The goal of any type of delivery is healthy mom and healthy baby. This can be accomplished many ways.

I admit I get frustrated by home-birth moms judging hospital birth experiences. Every day I work there is at least one baby born that would not have survived if it had been delivered at home. That is not a risk I'm willing to take as a pregnant woman. But, I very much understand that some people view hospital births as riskier than home delivery. Since I work in that environment, I'm more comfortable with that risk. Others aren't. To each her own, really and truly. But please consider altering your view of birth to include all those who have delivered, in whatever way, a baby.