Natural childbirth, breech and all ~ January 19, 1989

David Heiller

“I don’t put myself off as someone special.”

But in-the world of having babies at least, Coral Popowitz defies her own words. Coral, who lives west of Rutledge, has six children. The last three were born at home, and they were all in the “breech” position, that is, with the head up instead of down.

Coral, her husband, Steve, their children,
and assorted grandchildren.

In fact, Coral has had babies born in all of the four breech positions—kneeling, feet-first, frank (butt-first), and posterior. All were born naturally, without a Caesarean section.

What makes this special, for you dense male readers like myself, is that the vast majority of breech babies are delivered by Cesearean section. To have a breech baby naturally is rare. To have a breech baby at home is even rarer. And here’s a staggering statistic: nearly half of all births in the United States today are done by Caesarean section.

Coral Popowitz’s achievement has made her a hero to groups like Caesarean Prevention Movement of Minnesota. In fact, she will give a speech to that group in April.

Coral came face-to-face with the issue of Caesarean sections during the birth of Selina, her third child, back in 1979. Her doctor discovered that the baby was breech, and decided C-section would be best. Even while they prepped her for the major surgery, Coral rejected it, and pushed out a 10-pound girl.

Selina was a regular (and well loved)
Tuesday night babysitter for the Heiller kids.

During her next pregnancy, her doctor discovered that the baby was also breech. The hospital refused to allow her to have the baby naturally. With the aid of a midwife, Coral had Abraham two days before Christmas 1982 at home in St. Paul, breech and all. Lucas, two, and Mariah, six months, were born at home in rural Willow River, also breech.

Coral recalls Mariah’s birth vividly. Her water broke at 8:15 in the morning, and by two p.m. she was still in labor. Along with her husband, Steve, and her midwife, Coral decided that they would have to go to a hospital in another 15 minutes.

“I just have this tenacity-slash-stupidity,” Coral said. “I said, ‘I will have her now,’ and I had her now.” Mariah weighed 10 pounds, 12 ounces.

Coral admits that she is proof that Caesarean section births are not always needed. But she is cautious in her advocacy.

“It’s very difficult for me. Having babies at home is an extremely responsible position,” she said. “I’m leery of swaying people to do this.”

“You’re dealing with an infant’s life,” she said.

Coral’s choices were limited: either go to a hospital and have the baby by C-section, or have the baby naturally at home with her midwife. She chose the latter for two reasons.

“Emotionally for me, to actually push that baby out, it’s like I need that to end that bond I’ve had for nine months,” she explained. “It’s the culmination of that nine months. For me, I needed that physical release.

“Practically, it’s major surgery. I didn’t need major surgery to have a baby,” she added.

Popowitz also supports a resolution by lay midwives currently underway in Minnesota. Once 3,000 signatures have been obtained, the resolution will be given to Rep. Sandy Pappas, a legislator who has also had home births. Pappas will draw up a bill which would give parents the right to have the kind of birth they want. Technically, home births are illegal in Minnesota now, Coral said.

If you would like to talk to Coral Popowitz about this subject, she welcomes your calls.