A revolutionary birth trend is gaining popularity among new mothers, providing them with a sense of empowerment during cesarean sections. Maternal-assisted C-section (MAC), primarily practiced in Australia, involves the mother, with the assistance of medical professionals, reaching down with sterilized gloves to deliver her own baby from the uterus and onto her chest. Advocates of this technique argue that it strengthens the maternal bond and allows women to feel a sense of control during C-sections, which can often leave them feeling disconnected from the birthing process. While MAC was first introduced in certain Australian clinics in 2017, it is slowly gaining traction in some regions of the United States.
Elizabeth Andreyevskiy from Lakeville, Minnesota, decided to pursue MAC for the birth of her fourth child, Nellie. Seeking a unique experience for her last baby, she shared her motivation, stating, “Knowing that this was my last baby, I really wanted to have a different experience.” Embracing the MAC approach allowed her to forge a deeper connection with her child and create a special memory.
The traditional cesarean section, or C-section, involves surgically delivering a baby by making incisions in the abdomen and uterus when a vaginal birth is not feasible or safe. Factors that may necessitate a C-section include the baby being in a precarious position, multiple pregnancies, or health complications for both the mother and baby. In some cases, mothers may be put under general anesthesia, which can lead to a feeling of detachment from the birthing process.
MAC offers a more hands-on alternative to the standard procedure. Australian doula Vanessa Salerno highlights the importance of empowering women through their birth experiences, explaining, “C-sections have such a bad stigma. We don’t want women to say ‘I had to have this.’ We want them to say, ‘I had an empowering experience.'” Dr. Joseph Sgroi, an obstetrician based in Melbourne, Australia, attests to the significant difference MAC can make, noting that even initially skeptical women who have undergone the technique express gratitude and satisfaction afterward.
Typically, local anesthesia is used for most C-sections, enabling mothers to retain full control of their hands during the process, allowing them to pull their own baby out if they choose to go MAC. While this innovative approach is gaining momentum in Australia, its use in the United States remains limited. Mothers who opt for MAC must plan the procedure in advance with their healthcare providers.
Rachel Sharpless Willis, a mother from Florida, also embraced MAC for the birth of her son, Emerson. Describing her experience, she recalls touching her baby’s head as the very first point of contact, expressing mixed emotions and gratitude for being a part of the process. Despite initial concerns, she followed the guidance of doctors and successfully delivered her baby, leading to a sense of wonder and appreciation.
For Ms. Andreyevskiy, her first child’s birth involved an unplanned C-section after a failed vaginal birth. Reflecting on that experience, she laments missing out on the firsthand experience of hearing her baby cry for the first time. Subsequently, she elected to have home births for her next two children but encountered complications. When preparing for Nellie’s birth, her sister-in-law shared Instagram videos showcasing MACs performed in other countries, particularly Australia, which inspired her to pursue this unique approach. Ms. Andreyevskiy describes the experience as extraordinary and capable of fostering an additional bond with her baby.
The MAC technique is revolutionizing the birthing experience for women, offering them a sense of control, connection, and empowerment during cesarean sections. While still not widely practiced in the United States, the growing popularity of this approach indicates its potential to provide a more fulfilling birthing experience for mothers.
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