Every birth is a miracle, no matter how the child enters the world. Some say that women who have C-section deliveries don’t really give birth, though, which is complete and utter nonsense. But for some women who have had C-sections, there may be a bit of a disconnect during the delivery process. A group of obstetricians are challenging traditional thoughts on C-sections and getting the mothers more involved.
A maternal-assisted cesarian, or MAC, gives moms a chance to help deliver their babies in a more hands-on way by assisting the doctor in pulling the baby out of the uterus. This fairly new technique is bringing quite a bit of joy to operating rooms.
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Mothers love the experience.
Although the technique is relatively new, it is gaining popularity. During a MAC, the mother can hold her baby immediately and bring the infant to her chest, which isn’t always possible during a routine C-section. Dr. Joseph Sgroi, a physician in Melbourne, Australia, spoke of the benefits of a MAC to Kidspot.
“It’s shown to be a massive difference, even women who I’ve offered a maternal assist to and they didn’t know about it, or been ambivalent, after have said they were so glad they did it,” he said.
Sgroi found that many moms opted for a vaginal birth after a Cesarean, also known as a VBAC.
The doctor found that some moms wanted a VBAC to bond with their babies. He explained that data on MAC shows that bonding feelings increase for moms after their baby is born.
“The experience is a hell of a lot better than a c-section being a clinical, sterile environment – it’s still sterile, but it’s much more inclusive,” he said.
Not all doctors embrace the MAC way of giving birth.
Sgroi said older physicians are less keen to try a MAC, but as a bit of a pioneer in the MAC world, he can connect with many doctors around the world who are eager to learn more.
“I get contacted by midwives and nurses in the US, Ireland and England and South America – it’s nice to know we are having a far-reaching positive impact here and outside the country,” he shared with Kidspot. “When you think about medicine globally, it’s all about patient-centric care.”
The environment is safe, as the mothers are scrubbed in just like the surgeons to help ensure sterility in the operating room.
Some say recovery is better for MAC moms, too. Doula Vanessa Salerno works with Sgroi and told Kidspot that she believes mothers have a better recovery after this type of birth.
“I watch them during their recovery and it’s different, they were involved, they were empowered, they didn’t feel disconnected, yes they’re still in theatre, but they’re involved in childbirth,” she said.
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Moms are detailing their experiences on social media.
Many families have shared photos of their MAC births on various social platforms. Australian mom Ashlee Salmi shared a video of her MAC birth with her third son on TikTok, and we will say it is beautiful. She seems to be at such peace pulling her baby boy from her uterus and holding him after birth.
Commenters on her video agreed.
“Oh god, that was so sweet, nothing like meeting your baby for the first time. Congratulations!” a person remarked.
“This is so beautiful ,” another person commented.
As Sgroi told Kidspot, he has never had a regret. “To this day I have not had one woman who had a MAC wish that she hadn’t done it that way,” he said.
