Stavroula: Saved by the midwife
Stavroula had been persuaded by her doctor that a Caesarean section was her only option as the scan revealed that the umbilical cord was wound around the fetus. Then she overheard through the half-open door the following dispute between her doctor and the midwife: «Haven’t you prepared her for Caesarean section? asked the doctor. «She’s only 23 and you’re going to butcher her?» replied the midwife. Indeed the doctor booked her into the hospital on the Saturday and Stavroula was rolled into the operating room. The midwife that came to examine her was shocked when she heard Stavroula was to undergo a Caesarean section. She explained that it was very common for the umbilical cord to get wound around the baby but she could turn the baby so that it could be born naturally. At the midwife’s insistence, Stavroula gave birth naturally. «I was in a ward with five other women. I was the only one who gave birth naturally.» In total, Stavroula paid 3,500 euros, obstetrics hospital and doctor’s fees included. If she had undergone a Caesarean section, she would have had to pay 500 euros more to the doctor.
