Iris gave birth with a mother-assisted caesarean section: ‘So healing’

She also suffers from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) as a result of her traumatic birth, which means that the first period after the birth is not a pink cloud at all. “I felt bad, insecure and wondered why my body couldn’t give birth normally. What was that about?” Fortunately, she is helped with EMDR therapy, which gradually fades the traumatic memories of her birth.

Pregnant again

Still, she really wants a second child. Three years after Evelien’s birth, she received a positive test. “It was a long-cherished wish that came true, but at the same time I thought: what about the birth?” Fortunately, a friend points her out to the MAC birth; mother-assisted caesarean section, especially intended for women who have had a traumatic birth.

Gynecologist Koen Deurloo, doctor at the Diakonessenhuis in Utrecht, guides Iris. He takes all the time to include her in the process, reassures her and prepares her as best as possible. Deurloo explains: “There is a lot of overlap with the regular caesarean section, but what we do differently is that we enable the mother to handle the baby herself. She has to be in the same position as I am, so with gloves, surgical gown and hairnet.”

This means that as a mother you are part of the operating room team, says Iris. “Because you remove your baby from the womb yourself, you are the first to touch your own child. That makes it very special.”

The heroes of healthcare

Because Iris also wants to help other traumatized parents, she accepts the program’s application The heroes of healthcare, a program from SBS6, to film her birth. Iris: “I wanted to participate in this immediately. We are not into publicity ourselves, but we would like to help other couples process their traumas. But in a way that is appropriate, where you are in control and where you are listened to. So we wanted to tell our story.”

Text continues below the video.

According to Deurloo, the MAC method is particularly suitable for parents who have had a nasty birth. “For example, deliveries with a lot of damage or blood loss. But also in case of loss of a child, uncertainty about a child’s health or PTSD. This method of giving birth is particularly intended for those women.” It is only possible in women with a low-risk caesarean section. “For example, this is not suitable if it concerns children who need extra care, or if the mother is very ill.”

Mother assisted cesarean section

Before the caesarean section, Iris receives an epidural injection, which makes her numb all the way down to her abdomen, but otherwise fully conscious. After the gynecologist has made the incision, he places Iris’ hands on the incision. “So I was the first to touch the head.” After the shoulders are out of the belly, Iris can pull her child out of the belly herself. “That was so fantastic. It was one of the most beautiful days of my life, even though I don’t have that memory of the birth of my first child. It was such an overwhelming experience, and therefore so healing. It’s fantastic that this is possible.”

Tessa (28) lost three liters of blood during childbirth: ‘I couldn’t change or bathe my baby’Also read

According to the doctor, mother-assisted caesarean section is so healing because you as a parent are involved in the birth. “You are no longer the direct object. There is also something magical about being the first to touch your own child.”

Committed partner

While Iris is still in complete euphoria, a nurse asks if she already knows the sex of her child. They did not want to know that during the pregnancy. “But I wasn’t concerned with that at all. I knew it was healthy, that I felt good and that was all I wanted to know.” Their child turns out to be a boy named Koen.

This birth was also a lot more pleasant for Iris’s partner, he says. Joep: “The whole process was a lot nicer. It was very nice to see that it gave Iris so much peace, while it went wrong the first time due to a lack of confidence. And this time I was also allowed to help with the delivery.” Joep is allowed to help his wife up a bit, so that she can reach her stomach with her hands to lift their child out. “Even if it is something small, this way you are a little more involved in the birth.”

Third child

Last Wednesday (April 24, 2024), Iris gave birth again, this time to her third child, who was named Tom. “The previous birth was so healing that last year we looked into whether we would also be allowed to have a third child. And fortunately it was.” This time too, she gave birth via a mother-assisted caesarean section with the guidance of doctor Deurloo. The fear was a lot less this time and she was even looking forward to it. Iris is only the third mother to whom this method of giving birth is used for the second time.

Text continues under the photo.

Iris during the MAC birth, the mother assisted caesarean section, during which she lifts her son Tom from the belly. Photo was taken by birth photographer Inge Berken.

The new mother would like to emphasize that a (mother-assisted) caesarean section is not an easy way to give birth. “I am aware that it is a very serious operation. The doctors have to cut through many layers to retrieve the baby and the recovery often takes longer. But for women who, like me, have had a traumatic birth and have therefore put their desire to have children on hold, I hope that they will still dare to try this method. I especially want other parents to know that this option is available. For me it was so special; These are births you will never forget.”

Shanice van de Sanden shares intimate images of home birth: ‘Took away all my fears’Also read