THIS BOOKLET IS AWESOME.
If you had, are planning to have, thought about having or KNOW someone that had a Cesarean Section, this is great information for making an educated decision.
In 1970, one in 20 women had a CSection.
Today, one in 3 have a CSection.
Is it really true that one in three babies/moms cannot give birth on their own?
Frightening.
I don't believe it.
There must be other factors at work....such as money and liability perhaps?
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Safe Birth
Myth:
Cesarean Section is Safe.
Reality:
Vaginal birth is far safer overall for mothers and babies.
Although cesarean section is safer than in the past, it is major abdominal surgery and poses many extra harms for mothers and babies in comparison with vaginal birth.
Myth:
Planned cesarean is optimal solution for mothers and babies.
Reality:
Vaginal birth is far safer overall for mothers and babies.
Planned cesarean is very convenient for busy hospitals and caregivers.
Myth:
Vaginal birth is harmful for mothers and babies
Reality:
Vaginal birth is far safer overall for mothers and babies than cesarean section.
Some overused medical practices during vaginal birth are harmful to mothers and babies.
Research has not been done to determine whether giving birth through the vagina has intrinsic risks in comparison with cesarean section.
Myth:
Having an elective cesarean section will prevent incontinence later in life.
Reality:
Current research suggests that having a cesarean section will have no effect on incontinence later in life. Having an elective cesarean section poses many harms and limited benefit to mothers and babies.
Tips for Reducing Risk During Pregnancy:
Find doctor or midwife with low rates of intervention
Discuss goals and preferences with caregiver
Choose birth setting with low rates of intervention
Create your own birth statement
Arrange for continuous labor support
Explore options for pain relief
Tips for Reducing Risk During Labor:
Work with caregivers to delay going to hospital
Receive good support throughout labor
If possible, avoid continuous electronic fetal monitoring
Avoid epidural analgesia
Tips for Avoiding Cesareans (during Pregnancy):
If cesarean proposed, make informed decision
If had previous cesarean, make informed decision
If baby is breech, make informed decision
If you fear vaginal birth, consider in-depth counseling
Tips for Avoiding Cesareans (during Labor):
Avoid routine interventions when possible (in addition to electronic fetal monitoring, epidural, induction, artificial rupture of membranes, arbitrary time limits)
If cesarean is proposed, make informed decision.
Tips for Avoiding Unnecessary Assisted Birth:
Push in an upright or side-lying position
Avoid time limits for pushing
Let your body guide pushing, when possible
Tips for Avoiding Unnecessary Pelvic Floor Injury:
Talk with caregivers about avoiding routine use of interventions that can increase risk
Carry out pelvic floor muscle exercises
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ClickedLink=184&ck=10263&area=2
Cesarean Section is Safe.
Reality:
Vaginal birth is far safer overall for mothers and babies.
Although cesarean section is safer than in the past, it is major abdominal surgery and poses many extra harms for mothers and babies in comparison with vaginal birth.
Myth:
Planned cesarean is optimal solution for mothers and babies.
Reality:
Vaginal birth is far safer overall for mothers and babies.
Planned cesarean is very convenient for busy hospitals and caregivers.
Myth:
Vaginal birth is harmful for mothers and babies
Reality:
Vaginal birth is far safer overall for mothers and babies than cesarean section.
Some overused medical practices during vaginal birth are harmful to mothers and babies.
Research has not been done to determine whether giving birth through the vagina has intrinsic risks in comparison with cesarean section.
Myth:
Having an elective cesarean section will prevent incontinence later in life.
Reality:
Current research suggests that having a cesarean section will have no effect on incontinence later in life. Having an elective cesarean section poses many harms and limited benefit to mothers and babies.
Tips for Reducing Risk During Pregnancy:
Find doctor or midwife with low rates of intervention
Discuss goals and preferences with caregiver
Choose birth setting with low rates of intervention
Create your own birth statement
Arrange for continuous labor support
Explore options for pain relief
Tips for Reducing Risk During Labor:
Work with caregivers to delay going to hospital
Receive good support throughout labor
If possible, avoid continuous electronic fetal monitoring
Avoid epidural analgesia
Tips for Avoiding Cesareans (during Pregnancy):
If cesarean proposed, make informed decision
If had previous cesarean, make informed decision
If baby is breech, make informed decision
If you fear vaginal birth, consider in-depth counseling
Tips for Avoiding Cesareans (during Labor):
Avoid routine interventions when possible (in addition to electronic fetal monitoring, epidural, induction, artificial rupture of membranes, arbitrary time limits)
If cesarean is proposed, make informed decision.
Tips for Avoiding Unnecessary Assisted Birth:
Push in an upright or side-lying position
Avoid time limits for pushing
Let your body guide pushing, when possible
Tips for Avoiding Unnecessary Pelvic Floor Injury:
Talk with caregivers about avoiding routine use of interventions that can increase risk
Carry out pelvic floor muscle exercises
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ClickedLink=184&ck=10263&area=2
Monday, May 4, 2009
Cinco de Mayo
The fifth of May is also known as INTERNATIONAL MIDWIVES DAY!!!
This site has some great ideas about how to celebrate.
http://mana.org/IntMidDay.html
I intend to submit a request to the state of South Carolina to issue a proclamation to recognize International Midwives Day. YAY!
Midwives are some of the few citizens fighting daily to maintain a women's right to a natural, low-tech birth experience. Thank you Midwives for your faith in women and our innate ability to nurture and birth our children without the help of a scapel.
This site has some great ideas about how to celebrate.
http://mana.org/IntMidDay.html
I intend to submit a request to the state of South Carolina to issue a proclamation to recognize International Midwives Day. YAY!
Midwives are some of the few citizens fighting daily to maintain a women's right to a natural, low-tech birth experience. Thank you Midwives for your faith in women and our innate ability to nurture and birth our children without the help of a scapel.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Beauty
Omigosh. What a beauty. She's got TWO in there!!
Baby boy diaper cake and Baby girl diaper cake.
Yes my services can be contracted. :)
Fresh flowers and champagne. Yep. It was that kind of baby shower. :)
Sssigh....
Baby boy diaper cake and Baby girl diaper cake.
Yes my services can be contracted. :)
Fresh flowers and champagne. Yep. It was that kind of baby shower. :)
Sssigh....
Thursday, April 23, 2009
TWO
Number of loved ones suffering infections by hospitals and hospital procedures in the past two weeks...TWO.
THANKS HOSPITALS!!!
THANKS HOSPITALS!!!
Thursday, April 9, 2009
TWINS
Right now, I am ALL ABOUT learning about twin pregnancies.... :)
Here is the first note from the *learn something new every day* file:
By around the 36th week of twin pregnancy the positions of twins in the womb will not likely change. Generally, because of the sheer lack of space to move around. Here is a simple visual guide to some of the different positions twins may take on during the course of pregnancy. This is an easy way to familiarize yourself with some of terms used to describe different positions. (www.twin-pregnancy-and-beyond.com)
Fun stuff!!! Stay tuned! :)
Here is the first note from the *learn something new every day* file:
By around the 36th week of twin pregnancy the positions of twins in the womb will not likely change. Generally, because of the sheer lack of space to move around. Here is a simple visual guide to some of the different positions twins may take on during the course of pregnancy. This is an easy way to familiarize yourself with some of terms used to describe different positions. (www.twin-pregnancy-and-beyond.com)
Fun stuff!!! Stay tuned! :)
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Art and Pregs
Here's one from the *Learn Something New Everyday* file...
I was looking for a strong-pregnant-woman image in honor of a dear friend Kelly who gave natural childbirth to her second child and first daughter this past month. Thank the universe that she educated herself and knew exactly what she did and did not want out of her hospital experience. She had taken steps to have someone she was comfortable with, a certified nurse midwife, present as her primary birth facilitator.
However, after the birth, when healthy mom and baby were recovering, an MD decided (with a phone-in decision...no direct observation or patient visit) based on to two borderline blood pressure readings, that pre-eclampsia was a concern and she would inflict magnesium on the patient. For those that don't know, the primary treatment for pre-eclampsia is yes, delivering a baby. Additionally, mag has these lovely COMMON side effects:
Back to the image I found....Hope II by Gustav Klimt.
Yep that's one beautiful pregnant mama.
During the search, I also found the first Hope by Klimt:
Stunning.
I didn't realize Klimt was so into the pregos.
And finally, through the magic of the internet, I learn that Dave Navarro, formerly of the group Jane's Addition, has a tattoo of Hope on his forearm. The artist in question desperately lacking the talent of Klimt.
Learn something new every day!
I was looking for a strong-pregnant-woman image in honor of a dear friend Kelly who gave natural childbirth to her second child and first daughter this past month. Thank the universe that she educated herself and knew exactly what she did and did not want out of her hospital experience. She had taken steps to have someone she was comfortable with, a certified nurse midwife, present as her primary birth facilitator.
However, after the birth, when healthy mom and baby were recovering, an MD decided (with a phone-in decision...no direct observation or patient visit) based on to two borderline blood pressure readings, that pre-eclampsia was a concern and she would inflict magnesium on the patient. For those that don't know, the primary treatment for pre-eclampsia is yes, delivering a baby. Additionally, mag has these lovely COMMON side effects:
- Flushing
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Palpitations
- Headache
- General muscle weakness
- Lethargy
- Constipation
Back to the image I found....Hope II by Gustav Klimt.
Yep that's one beautiful pregnant mama.
During the search, I also found the first Hope by Klimt:
Stunning. I didn't realize Klimt was so into the pregos.
And finally, through the magic of the internet, I learn that Dave Navarro, formerly of the group Jane's Addition, has a tattoo of Hope on his forearm. The artist in question desperately lacking the talent of Klimt.
Learn something new every day!
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