Mother disappointed births weren't able to be natural

Julia Townsend was disappointed she had never been able to give birth naturally. Photo / Thinkstock

Julia Townsend gave birth to all three of her children by caesarean but wishes she had been able to deliver them all naturally.

The birth of her first two children, by caesarean, followed complications.

When she fell pregnant with her third, who was born last month, the Upper Hutt mother was told she had no option but to have a caesarean again.

Ms Townsend's first child was born two weeks overdue by emergency caesarean after attempts to induce her failed. Her second was a breech birth and also eventually delivered by caesarean.

"[Giving birth naturally] was my expectation with number one and certainly with number two. I was scared but I thought every other bloody woman does it so you just get over it and do it," Ms Townsend said.

She said her babies had been healthy but she was disappointed she had never been able to give birth naturally.

She said few women knew the implications for caesareans, including that during recovery women could not drive, stretching too far or hold anything heavier than their baby.

Ms Townsend said there were also risks associated with the surgery and she was "appalled" by mothers she knew whose motivation for a caesarean was so they could plan when they would be in hospital and how soon they were likely to be out.

"It's meant to be quite special, you never know when the baby's going to come."