Pregnant in America

AWESOME movie. It's available through netflix. A wonderful and simple documentary of a couple researching their options for the birth of their first child, and how they are treated by the people in the business along the way.

I heard about it from the water birth conference in Myrtle Beach, where I got to meet the one and only Barbara Harper, queen mother of water birth and world traveling advocate of natural childbirth. She's awesome. I learned so much. My favorite statistic was this....

Once you are induced (typically with pitocin), you increase your chance of a c-section 50% !!!

I have no idea why (beyond true emergencies) anyone thinks being induced is a good idea. Pit contractions are hard and fast and almost guarantee a torn va-jay-jay.

I have so much info to share from Barbara Harper and Pregnant in America. For now, here is a bit about epidurals. So many women underestimate their potential to work through a little discomfort, they'd rather pay the hundreds of dollars (thousands?) for medicine that may not work properly, that will necessitate a catheter in your urethra, immobilize you, and force you into THE PHYSICALLY and PHYSIOLOGICALLY WORST POSITION POSSIBLE FOR BIRTH. Here are are just a few additional risks that go along with epidurals...

toxic drug reaction

rash

itchiness

fever

allergic shock

infection

severe headache

nausea

frequent vomiting

frequent shivering

difficulty breathing

unconsciousness

convulsions

septic meningitis

fecal and urinary incontinence

bladder catheterization

bacterial meningitis

hypotension (can lead to emergency c-section)

seizures

trauma

prolonged labor

weaker uterine contractions

inability for woman to push the baby out

increased likelihood of being induced

increased likelihood of forceps

increased likelihood of episiotomy

increase likelihood of c-section

accidental injection of anesthetic into the blood stream

punctured dura

post dural puncture

headache (PDPH)

feelings of emotional detatchment

decreased maternal-infant bonding

complications to the baby

direct drug toxicity to baby

allergic reaction

fetal drowsiness

fetal respiratory insufficiency

fetal distress

abnormal fetal heart rate

fetal hyperthermia

neonatal jaundice

poor fetal muscle strength

death of the baby

increased likelihood of post-partum depression

neurological complications

permanent nerve damage

chronic back pain

chronic migraine headaches

chronic “pins and needles”

numbness and tingling of the lower limbs

chronic bladder dysfunction

loss of sensation and sexual function

damage to spinal cord

paraplegia

cardiac arrest

maternal death

Is it worth it???

Isla Fisher

Isla is the cute crazy red-head from Wedding Crashers, who is also married to Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat) in real life....(learn something new every day, right?)

Isla Fisher on

Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin

(from O Magazine)

"Women are happy to tell you their terrifying birth stories, but nobody tells you the positive ones. So if you're going to have a baby, you have to read this - its a collection of stories of women's birth experiences plus loads of practical information. In today's world of modern medicine, it's so easy to have the experience of pregnancy and birth taken out of your hands: You're measured and blood-tested and ultrasounded. Sometimes it feels as if the whole experience is happening to you. But women have the right to have the birthing experience we desire - whether it's a Cesarean or a natural birth - and to have the fear of pain removed. A friend, Naomi Watts, gave me this book when I was pregnant. It was such a special time for me, and it was such a relief to read these stories."

So, I don't necessarily agree that Cesareans should be provided upon request, and I think that women need to do their own mental cleansing and exorcising in order to "remove the fear of pain"....but otherwise...I'm so happy she found peace in Ina May's book and is sharing it with O Magazine readers.

Introducing Barbara Harper!!!

I was about to PASS OUT yesterday (okay, it could have been the coffee) when I learned that Barbara Harper was coming to little 'ole Myrtle Beach to give a conference on water birth.

From the moment my tired, unmedicated, contracting little body melted into the warm water of my birthing tub, I've been in love with this woman and all the work she has put into educating the world about how gentle and safe birth can be.

Barbara is the founder of Waterbirth International with the overall mission to enhance the well-being of women and children during pregnancy, birth, and early childhood experience, and the specific mission to ensure that waterbirth is an available option for every woman.

She produced this gorgeous documentary (Birth Into Being) about the beauty and spirituality of birth. I was lucky enough to receive a copy of this from my best friend in the world and I truly treasure it.

It's just COMMON SENSE PEOPLE. WATER HELPS.

It reduces pain, allows for mobility to achieve the most beneficial birthing position (the WORST being ON YOUR BACK), the bouyancy to relieve the pressures of gravity, the lubrication to help stretch out skin and reduce tearing of the perineum, and sooo much more.

The cost/benefit and pain reduction comparison between epidurals and birthing tubs are something every woman should thoroughly educate herself on before she gives birth. Of course moms do have to do the work to ensure that they are low-risk pregnancies, or those surgeons will be more than happy to strap you down, hook you up to monitors and cut you open one way or another.

I'm so excited that Barbara will be coming to provide her expert insight and eloquence to our little community. You can find the details here.

Friday January 23 6-9pm at the Sands Ocean Club at 9550 Shore Drive off of Lake Arrowhead Road in northern Myrtle Beach. Map here.

On Saturday and Sunday, they will be providing training for nurses, doctors, midwives, doulas and any other professionals who want to be certified in this beautiful art.

I'm in Love with BOB

BOB Revolution to be clear....sssssigh....