Cesareans and Sexual Abuse

Cesarean births and a woman with a sexual abuse history just don’t mix.  Cesareans often do land in the lap of a woman with a sexual abuse history because of the many triggers that are similar to abuse.  Sensations such as pain mixed witha drugged sensation, feeling out of control, authority figures determining what happens to your body, domination with language, removal of clothing, restriction due to IV or fetal monitoring etc.    When all of these “normal” aspects of birth occur women with a sexual abuse history will start to feel unsafe.  This translates into a birth that does not progress.  We have a very hard time giving birth if we are receiving information that we are not safe.  When the birth does not progress interventions fly into place and often a cesarean birth is the outcome. 

The Cesarean also has elements of trauma – woman are often immobilized, both arms are connected to IV – I have met many women who call this the crucifixion – the people in the room are masked, the room is cold, you are not able to run or fight or even move, most times women have to ask to have partners or midwives present.  The birth of the baby is followed by separation of the mother and baby and then the healing process is supposed to happen.  Most times women with a sexual abuse history that have then endured a cesarean are left feeling disconnected, dissociated and fearful.  Often this is not recognized for what it is – post traumatic stress – and the mother is left to just find a place to try to understand her birth experience.  This happens every single day.  If you have a sexual abuse history prepare yourself.  There are ways to create a safe haven for  yourself and your baby for your birth.  Think about:

• who will be present
• where will you labour and give birth
• smells, sights, safety – can people go in and out or are you in a secure place?
• how do drugs make you feel?
• what language is important for you to hear during labour?

Ultimately how do you want to be treated during labour and how do you want your baby to be treated ?

These are some easy ways to effect the outcome of your labour.  If you have had a cesarean and then remembered a history of sexual abuse that is a gift.  Work with it because it is life altering and opening and truly a gift.

Top Three Remedies for Sexual Abuse Survivors During Birth

The top three remedies that I use to support women with a sexual abuse history during birth are:

• Aconite 1M – two pellets for intense fear, panic, feeling overwhelmed and out of control.  The persistent language and thought is that “I am going to die”.  The Aconite will ground you and keep you in the present.
• Belladonna 1M – two pellets especially for the point at 91/2 cm dilation with a lip of cervix remaining.  A perfect remedy for any woman that wants to escape, tries to get off the bed during examinations, pulling hair, biting – a degree of wildness to her and her experience of birth.  She is usually hot, flushed and dissociated.
• Phosphorus 1M – two pellets for women that become fearful when they notice others around them are afraid.  This may be people they have at the birth or a birth attendant that seems flustered.  Phosphorus women tend to bleed when they are frightened and is an excellent remedy for anyone with a history of hemorrhage. 

For more in depth information on these remedies please refer to my website – www.pipermartin.com and my e-book – A Homeopathic Guide to a Vibrant Pregnancy available on the site.

Emotional Addictions and Your Birth

Have you ever considered what you may be addicted to emotionally?  Most people have patterns that are reoccurring in their lives that all feed into a central set of beliefs.  Quantum physics says that we manifest situations to feed the biochemical cravings of our cells – this means the beliefs we hold and the emotions attached to those beliefs.  What this translates to during a birth experience is a playing out of those deep patterns. 

For example, a woman with a history of sexual abuse may want to have a home birth because she wants to avoid any type of medical domination of her body or choices.  Her belief is that if she is in that situation she will be unable to defend herself or her baby.  Mysteriously situations arise which require going to the hospital and usually her belief  is reinforced, a combination of fear, guilt and pain control the situation and she feels out of control and helpless.  If she had addressed the belief about feeling helpless initially she could have planned to create ways to address any situation that arose.  Her belief that she is unable to defend herself is an old one and giving birth is one very powerful opportunity to overturn that belief and create something new and equally dynamic.  Consider the beliefs that are driving your choices around your birth experience.