It was only a matter of time before maternal nit-picking would begin on Becks spouse. Posh would inevitably fall victim to claims of being “too posh to push” following the delivery of her fourth baby by caesarean section. But the truth is Posh isn’t alone, in fact, around one quarter of all births in the UK are now Caesareans compared with around 11 per cent in the 1980s.
So right on cue, the birth of Beckham babe number 4- Harper Seven- has renewed the debate over the trend for women to shun the joys of natural childbirth in order to experience the bliss of the scalpel. Of all the trite brands bandied about in the more holier-than-thou of parenting circles, the cheap shot "too posh to push" rings particularly hollow.
Reaction to Victoria Beckham's preferred mode of delivery prompted speculation as to what might have motivated her to deliver all four births by c-section. "An unspecified medical issue," snorts one British newspaper, who are clearly frustrated at the loss of a scoop where Posh would divulge tearfully into the details of her potential life-and-death scenario prompting her to go under the knife.
With mothers failing to deliver the so-called "right" way they are then caught on the receiving end of a vernacular with astringent phrases attached such as "birth rape" and "unnecaesarean", such C-section patients are made to feel they should apologise. But no more. With C-section on the rise in American and the UK less and less women are on the opposing side.
Now, don’t get me wrong-I admire the mother who makes a considered decision to attempt childbirth naturally, one who trusts in her ability to deliver safely without intervention. The danger is in those mothers who, under pressure from themselves or others, have a birth plan more detailed than the Bible. The ones who declare a "vaginal birth" and "drug-free delivery" before announcing "it's a healthy girl/boy". But- yes- this too is not dissimilar from the women who choose an elective caesarean for “vanity and convenience.” C-section do after all come with a cost – it’s considered major surgery and therefore risks are inevitable; such as infection, higher chances of bleeding, longer hospital stays and in some cases higher medical costs.
Choice and empowerment are concepts said to be highly prized among those who protest for natural birth. But a "choice" that strays away from one’s own is not always welcome. Some women are determined to eschew what they view as unnecessary intervention when giving birth. They see it as a beatific process and wear “refusal of pain relief” as though it were a badge of honour. All power to them- but the decision between natural and caesarean lies solely on the shoulders of the women that will bear the scars, but more importantly, the women who will bear the child.
This is one journo saying- don’t pass judgement- lets Posh choose not to push.
-ZB
