ON THE COUNT DOWN: Orange mum-to-be Katie Hailes has four weeks until she gives birth to her first child. Photo: JUDE KEOGH 0307baby1
NEARLY one in three women in Orange had a caesarean section birth in 2012.
There were 955 babies born at the Orange Health Service last year and 670 were delivered naturally.
Orange mum-to-be Katie Hailes said she would not consider having a caesarean birth because the extended recovery time turned her off the idea.
“I’ve been told you can’t pick up your baby for about six weeks,” she said.
“You can’t do the washing, you’re not supposed to drive, there are too many things you can’t do.”
Mrs Hailes said she was nervous about having her first child but was not scared of delivering naturally.
Orange Aboriginal Medical Service clinical leader Vicki Nolan said natural birth was a far safer option for women.
However, she questioned the statistics, because they did not clarify how many of the caesarean births were emergencies and how many were elected.
“I am not surprised by the number because emergencies have to be done,” she said.
“Usually only a very small percentage of people choose to have a caesarean.”
Ms Nolan said it was up to the individual patient and their doctor to decide whether a woman could choose to have the procedure.
She said with education many women chose to go natural.
“It’s really down to education and support and, with that, people have a better understanding and have a natural birth if possible,” Ms Nolan said.
“It’s far safer for one; you are up and about as soon as possible after and it’s non-envasive. Not one person can make the decision, it is a collaboration of midwives, doctors and obstetricians.”
Mrs Hailes is due to give birth in four weeks and plans to have at least one more child after her first, despite describing her fear of childbirth as a five out of 10.
“I have a step-daughter so I’d like to have a boy,” she said.
“It looks like she’s [the baby] pretty little so hopefully everything won’t be too bad.”
