Life is hard for a birth junkie.
A Facebook acquaintance of mine (knew her from high school), just had her first baby. From her Facebook posts, she had the typical high-intervention, high-testing American pregnancy. During her pregnancy, someone (not me, really!) posted on her wall about the benefits of unmedicated birth. She posted back, "Thanks, but no - I'm just going to go to the hospital and get the epidural as soon as I can." To my best knowledge, she took no childbirth education classes.
(And this really is not an anti-epidural piece. A good friend of mine discovered that she loved epidurals, but because of her strong education in Bradley childbirth ed, she was able to get epidurals in such a way that didn't overly jeopardize a vaginal birth, and she knew exactly the risks and benefits of each procedure she chose or rejected. But parking-lot epidurals are quite a different animal.)
So, when she posted that she was in the hospital in early labor, I told DH - "Guess what? So-and-so is at the hospital having her baby, and I'll bet you anything she comes home with a nice little c-section scar."
So this morning, I checked Facebook: "Due to baby's size and mama's anatomy, baby had to be born by c-section."
And what was the size of this mammoth baby who couldn't fit through the pelvis of a normal, healthy, American woman with no known health problems or pelvic abnormalities?
A whopping eight pounds even.
Do I really need to say anything more?
It fills me with helpless rage and grief. What are we doing to women in this country?
Not only are we sectioning millions of women with no good cause (or with causes that are caregiver-caused), we are lying to them about it in order to justify it.
A too-small pelvis, and a too-big baby? Really? No, try:
- Going to the hospital too early, followed by....
- A first-time mom being put on a too-short time scale, followed by....
- Early medication, followed by....
- Prone labor position and the typical cascade of hospital interventions, followed by....
Golly, gee whiz! A baby who's in distress and can't get out! Quick, to the operating room! Thank goodness this mama didn't try to birth at home, because she and her baby would have died if she hadn't been in the hospital!
And yes, unless the mother starts to do research and finds some answers, this is what she will believe for the rest of her life. "The doctors saved my baby." And unless she does that research, she will most likely end up with repeat cesareans for the rest of her childbearing career.
For anyone who is feeling offended:
Yes, I know that there are necessary cesareans. And I know that I do not have all the details. This possibly could have been the one birth in hundreds where there was true cephalopelvic disproportion and a cesarean was truly necessary. Anything is possible.
But seeing it happen time, after time, after time, after time? No, there is not an epidemic of CPD. There is an epidemic of bad maternity care, in which practitioners and caregivers have every logistical, financial, philosophical and legal reason to encourage the unnecessary cutting open of women, each incidence of which has the possibility (and high incidence) of side-effects and life-long negative health effects.
And seriously, what can one do?
In individual cases, nothing.
If I emailed her out of the blue and said, "Guess what? You know all the pain and fear you went through? Most likely it was all unnecessary! Here's the website for ICAN!", what would her reaction be?
Quite justifiably, rage!
That's not something one can say to someone, especially someone one hardly knows. If she wants to find her own way out of repeat cesareans, she will have to find her own path.
And she will have almost no encouragement from the medical community to do so.
Normally, I try to keep this blog on a more upbeat note, but I was just so angry and frustrated over this that I had to vent. I ask my readers' forgiveness, and I will try to get on a more positive vein soon.
I'll leave you with this excellent post from Mama Birth, which was oh-so-timely for me:
The First Birth: No Do-Overs Currently Available
And in the meantime, Happy New Year!! I think I'll go play with the baby and try to cheer up.
***
As always, civil conversation is welcome! Rude, uncivil, or hateful comments will be deleted immediately without response.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
New Arizona Birth Blogger
Just a quick note to let everyone know about a new-to-me birth blogger, Tracy Hydeman, a student midwife here in the valley:
Misadventures of a Student Midwife
Looking forward to reading!
Misadventures of a Student Midwife
Looking forward to reading!
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
It's That Time Again......
..... Time to make the hubby happy by cleaning up the tabs in our browser! (I haven't counted, but I think it's somewhere close to thirty.)
Here goes!
Have you ever wondered how natural childbirth tied in with Santa Claus? Well, now we know! The Feminist Breeder gives us the scoop:
On Being Honest With Our Children
I'm in the middle on the Santa Claus issue - I completely see the reasons both for and against. Since I didn't devote much time to the issue, we have gone with the flow and "done" Santa Claus, but I find it absolutely fascinating how TFB (by definition, a feminist) and the more conservative Christians among us have come to the same conclusion on Santa Claus - for the same reasons! Interesting! (I love what TFB has to say.... Even when I disagree with her, she is both brilliant and witty.)
***
Now here's an interesting question for you: Should the teacher of a natural childbirth class have herself given birth naturally? (*Singing the Jeopardy song while you think about this.*)
My instinctual answer is "yes" - how can one teach what one hasn't experienced?
But my experience is quite different, in that several of my caregivers were nulliparous and were excellent in their roles - including both of my midwives (one of whom is a G0P0 and one of whom was a G1P0 and pregnant while attending my birth - she gave birth 3 weeks later) and one of my doulas (who was a three-time cesarean mother and who taught classes and attended births for several years before her HBA3C). But does the same apply to childbirth educators?
I would still say no, simply because birth work is a calling - and I don't think women should be held hostage to their birth experiences before being able to work in the field (I have heard arguments saying that no woman should be a doula or a midwife either until she gives birth). What do you think? Here is an article from a blog that I absolutely love, in which she argues against non-natural-birth-moms teaching natural birth classes:
Should Your Natural Childbirth Educator Have Given Birth Naturally?
Interesting thoughts! Note the conversation down below in the comments as well.
***
Moving on. Have you all heard about the recent birth done in an MRI machine? The images are fascinating, but I was left with a bad taste in my mouth over that one.
Why?
Well, for a lot of reasons. I love what Lesley has to say here:
"The stated intention behind this crazy endeavour was to set up a study which seeks to examine why doctors "have" to deliver so many babies by C-section. They want to unlock the mystery as to why some women can birth 10 pounders and others have 7 pounders which get stuck. They want to understand why so many babies' craniums are disproportionately large for their mothers' pelvises. When the article went on to state the researchers were trying to get a better understanding of the mechanics of birth, I didn't know whether to laugh my head off, barf, or hit someone."
My sentiments exactly.
Want to know why world cesarean rates are skyrocketing? The answers are there. The answers are obvious. And they don't require an MRI machine to find out:
Money. Greed. Hospital policy. Bad science. Unnecessary labor induction. Convenience induction. Iatrogenic complications leading to cesarean. The dead baby card. Prone labor positions. Lithotomy birth. Overuse of pain medications. The Friedman curve. Impatience. The cascade of labor interventions shipwrecking an otherwise normal labor. Control. Power. Litigation risks. Medical malpractice costs. Patient overloading. Counter-productive birth practices with bad outcomes (routine AROM, cervical checks, denial of food/drink in labor, etc. etc. etc.). Lack of respect for normal birth physiology. Lack of support for vaginal and/or natural birth. Culture. Social conditioning. VBAC bans, by doctor or by hospital. Doctor discouragement of VBAC. Once a cesarean always a cesarean. Insurance companies. Ignorance. Lack of education. Fear.
Did I miss anything?
Not one of those reasons has anything to do with women's bodies being broken, or women being unable to give birth. And not one of those problems can be solved by sticking a birthing woman flat on her back and taking pictures of the birth process in an MRI machine. Try attacking the financial, political, social, and medico-legal factors instead.
Additionally, birth in an MRI tube is - to me - a violation of the sacred. It is like having someone die in an MRI tube so that we could take MRI images of the last moments to "investigate how death really happens." Regardless of the data gathered (and it would be just as unneeded as birth MRI images), it is - to me, at least! - sacrilege. Birth is sacred and should occur in a sacred space, surrounded by loving and supportive caregivers. In an MRI tube? In my humble opinion, "My friends, these things should not be!"
Thoughts, all?
Anyway, here is Lesley Everest's ("Musings of a Montreal Doula") take on it, and I love everything that she has to say:
Missing the Forest for the Trees: Birthing in an MRI Machine
***
And a quick article on one mama's experience with placenta medicine - my favorite!
Birth Activist: Placenta Encapsulation: Power Pill Creation
Love getting the word out on this!
***
Here is something that EVERY birth professional needs to read... I mean this! Please read!
Morning sickness is a run-of-the-mill occurrence that most mamas experience in some form or another. Hyperemesis gravidarum, or extreme nausea/vomiting of pregnancy, is a completely different animal. In your work with pregnant mamas of hyperemesis, DO NOT make the mistake of thinking that morning sickness cures will do squat for HG. HG moms are usually battling to keep their sanity. They are vomiting water because they can't even keep that down. Do not say "Have you tried ginger? How about ginger ale?" She may just deck you!
It's really important for birth workers to understand HG - especially those of us in the natural birth community, because we have a tendency to underestimate physical concerns or the need for cold, hard pharmaceuticals. Having been-there-done-that, this is another of my passions.
Did you know that something like 95% of "therapeutic" abortions (i.e. those done for health reasons) are done for hyperemesis? That's right, these are much-wanted babies whose mothers could no longer stand the torture of HG. One HG mother (a conservative, pro-life Christian) told me that if she ever got pregnant again, she would either abort or commit suicide rather than face hyperemesis again. It is serious. Super serious. Take women seriously on this one.
My Pregnancy Nausea Made Me Consider Terminating
***
Now, on a lighter note - an article that I simply loved, from one of my favorite authoresses, Rixa of "Stand and Deliver". Need I say that I LOVED this article?
Don't ask, just do
Read it. Love it. Pass it on.
***
Something fun: I am in the middle of watching this video - "The Essential Ingredient: Doula" - and it's very good! Pass it on to pregnant mommy friends!
***
And a homebirth story from here in the valley this past week, one with a very interesting complication - a spontaneous last-minute placental abruption. Excellent work to the midwife involved, and congrats to this family!
Anna's Birth Story
***
And lastly - have you heard? There's a break-off movement from the Bradley Childbirth International - called Bradley Reborn, and I think also Brio Birth. I can't find the detailed website I looked at last week - just this one.What do you think? I participated in a brief conversation on this on my local birth network, and it looks like a lot is going on.
Since I'm not a Bradley teacher and don't have any inside scoop on the issue, I won't attempt to write about it, but it's definitely worth researching and looking into. As would be expected, it seems that tensions are running high between loyal Bradley teachers and teachers who have decided to go with Bradley Reborn.
For myself, I am very excited about Bradley Reborn simply because it seems to address a lot of the concerns that I have heard from Bradley students over the years about the Bradley methods and materials. One woman who I know locally and who is an excellent teacher is going with Bradley Reborn, and that lends a lot of credibility to the movement in my eyes. I am excited to see where this goes, and I wish them the best of luck.
(*Later Note: I found out today that Bradley Reborn is now calling itself Brio Birth due to litigation from Bradley Childbirth over the use of the Bradley name. I don't know if the renaming is permanent or temporary, but that's the scoop on that. That's also why the nice website has disappeared and the new one is so sketchy - they're in-process of moving everything to a new site, so they're trying to get everything up and running. There was quite a bit of info on the original site, so if you wait a few days and go back, there will probably be lots of good stuff there once again.)
***
And to end this article on a Christmas-y (and hilarious) note, here is a link to our favorite Christmas song spoof - definitely check it out: The Abominable "O Holy Night." Love it.
***
As always, I welcome civil conversation on any of the above subjects! However, comments that are unkind, cruel, or rude will be deleted immediately without comment. But I love hearing from you all - thanks for your comments!
***
I hope that each of you is having a good month and a happy Christmas season! We are enjoying the holidays tremendously, and I am crossing my fingers and praying that we can get to Christmas without getting sick. We always manage to get sick just in time to have to cancel most of our holiday dates (parties, etc.), and it hasn't happened this year.... but there's still over a week to go, so I'm not counting any chickens!
Lots of news going on in the birth world, lots of things happening - it's an exciting time to be involved!
I hope to check in before Christmas, but if not, have a lovely Christmas!!!
Here goes!
Have you ever wondered how natural childbirth tied in with Santa Claus? Well, now we know! The Feminist Breeder gives us the scoop:
On Being Honest With Our Children
I'm in the middle on the Santa Claus issue - I completely see the reasons both for and against. Since I didn't devote much time to the issue, we have gone with the flow and "done" Santa Claus, but I find it absolutely fascinating how TFB (by definition, a feminist) and the more conservative Christians among us have come to the same conclusion on Santa Claus - for the same reasons! Interesting! (I love what TFB has to say.... Even when I disagree with her, she is both brilliant and witty.)
***
Now here's an interesting question for you: Should the teacher of a natural childbirth class have herself given birth naturally? (*Singing the Jeopardy song while you think about this.*)
My instinctual answer is "yes" - how can one teach what one hasn't experienced?
But my experience is quite different, in that several of my caregivers were nulliparous and were excellent in their roles - including both of my midwives (one of whom is a G0P0 and one of whom was a G1P0 and pregnant while attending my birth - she gave birth 3 weeks later) and one of my doulas (who was a three-time cesarean mother and who taught classes and attended births for several years before her HBA3C). But does the same apply to childbirth educators?
I would still say no, simply because birth work is a calling - and I don't think women should be held hostage to their birth experiences before being able to work in the field (I have heard arguments saying that no woman should be a doula or a midwife either until she gives birth). What do you think? Here is an article from a blog that I absolutely love, in which she argues against non-natural-birth-moms teaching natural birth classes:
Should Your Natural Childbirth Educator Have Given Birth Naturally?
Interesting thoughts! Note the conversation down below in the comments as well.
***
Moving on. Have you all heard about the recent birth done in an MRI machine? The images are fascinating, but I was left with a bad taste in my mouth over that one.
Why?
Well, for a lot of reasons. I love what Lesley has to say here:
"The stated intention behind this crazy endeavour was to set up a study which seeks to examine why doctors "have" to deliver so many babies by C-section. They want to unlock the mystery as to why some women can birth 10 pounders and others have 7 pounders which get stuck. They want to understand why so many babies' craniums are disproportionately large for their mothers' pelvises. When the article went on to state the researchers were trying to get a better understanding of the mechanics of birth, I didn't know whether to laugh my head off, barf, or hit someone."
My sentiments exactly.
Want to know why world cesarean rates are skyrocketing? The answers are there. The answers are obvious. And they don't require an MRI machine to find out:
Money. Greed. Hospital policy. Bad science. Unnecessary labor induction. Convenience induction. Iatrogenic complications leading to cesarean. The dead baby card. Prone labor positions. Lithotomy birth. Overuse of pain medications. The Friedman curve. Impatience. The cascade of labor interventions shipwrecking an otherwise normal labor. Control. Power. Litigation risks. Medical malpractice costs. Patient overloading. Counter-productive birth practices with bad outcomes (routine AROM, cervical checks, denial of food/drink in labor, etc. etc. etc.). Lack of respect for normal birth physiology. Lack of support for vaginal and/or natural birth. Culture. Social conditioning. VBAC bans, by doctor or by hospital. Doctor discouragement of VBAC. Once a cesarean always a cesarean. Insurance companies. Ignorance. Lack of education. Fear.
Did I miss anything?
Not one of those reasons has anything to do with women's bodies being broken, or women being unable to give birth. And not one of those problems can be solved by sticking a birthing woman flat on her back and taking pictures of the birth process in an MRI machine. Try attacking the financial, political, social, and medico-legal factors instead.
Additionally, birth in an MRI tube is - to me - a violation of the sacred. It is like having someone die in an MRI tube so that we could take MRI images of the last moments to "investigate how death really happens." Regardless of the data gathered (and it would be just as unneeded as birth MRI images), it is - to me, at least! - sacrilege. Birth is sacred and should occur in a sacred space, surrounded by loving and supportive caregivers. In an MRI tube? In my humble opinion, "My friends, these things should not be!"
Thoughts, all?
Anyway, here is Lesley Everest's ("Musings of a Montreal Doula") take on it, and I love everything that she has to say:
Missing the Forest for the Trees: Birthing in an MRI Machine
***
And a quick article on one mama's experience with placenta medicine - my favorite!
Birth Activist: Placenta Encapsulation: Power Pill Creation
Love getting the word out on this!
***
Here is something that EVERY birth professional needs to read... I mean this! Please read!
Morning sickness is a run-of-the-mill occurrence that most mamas experience in some form or another. Hyperemesis gravidarum, or extreme nausea/vomiting of pregnancy, is a completely different animal. In your work with pregnant mamas of hyperemesis, DO NOT make the mistake of thinking that morning sickness cures will do squat for HG. HG moms are usually battling to keep their sanity. They are vomiting water because they can't even keep that down. Do not say "Have you tried ginger? How about ginger ale?" She may just deck you!
It's really important for birth workers to understand HG - especially those of us in the natural birth community, because we have a tendency to underestimate physical concerns or the need for cold, hard pharmaceuticals. Having been-there-done-that, this is another of my passions.
Did you know that something like 95% of "therapeutic" abortions (i.e. those done for health reasons) are done for hyperemesis? That's right, these are much-wanted babies whose mothers could no longer stand the torture of HG. One HG mother (a conservative, pro-life Christian) told me that if she ever got pregnant again, she would either abort or commit suicide rather than face hyperemesis again. It is serious. Super serious. Take women seriously on this one.
My Pregnancy Nausea Made Me Consider Terminating
***
Now, on a lighter note - an article that I simply loved, from one of my favorite authoresses, Rixa of "Stand and Deliver". Need I say that I LOVED this article?
Don't ask, just do
Read it. Love it. Pass it on.
***
Something fun: I am in the middle of watching this video - "The Essential Ingredient: Doula" - and it's very good! Pass it on to pregnant mommy friends!
***
And a homebirth story from here in the valley this past week, one with a very interesting complication - a spontaneous last-minute placental abruption. Excellent work to the midwife involved, and congrats to this family!
Anna's Birth Story
***
And lastly - have you heard? There's a break-off movement from the Bradley Childbirth International - called Bradley Reborn, and I think also Brio Birth. I can't find the detailed website I looked at last week - just this one.What do you think? I participated in a brief conversation on this on my local birth network, and it looks like a lot is going on.
Since I'm not a Bradley teacher and don't have any inside scoop on the issue, I won't attempt to write about it, but it's definitely worth researching and looking into. As would be expected, it seems that tensions are running high between loyal Bradley teachers and teachers who have decided to go with Bradley Reborn.
For myself, I am very excited about Bradley Reborn simply because it seems to address a lot of the concerns that I have heard from Bradley students over the years about the Bradley methods and materials. One woman who I know locally and who is an excellent teacher is going with Bradley Reborn, and that lends a lot of credibility to the movement in my eyes. I am excited to see where this goes, and I wish them the best of luck.
(*Later Note: I found out today that Bradley Reborn is now calling itself Brio Birth due to litigation from Bradley Childbirth over the use of the Bradley name. I don't know if the renaming is permanent or temporary, but that's the scoop on that. That's also why the nice website has disappeared and the new one is so sketchy - they're in-process of moving everything to a new site, so they're trying to get everything up and running. There was quite a bit of info on the original site, so if you wait a few days and go back, there will probably be lots of good stuff there once again.)
***
And to end this article on a Christmas-y (and hilarious) note, here is a link to our favorite Christmas song spoof - definitely check it out: The Abominable "O Holy Night." Love it.
***
As always, I welcome civil conversation on any of the above subjects! However, comments that are unkind, cruel, or rude will be deleted immediately without comment. But I love hearing from you all - thanks for your comments!
***
I hope that each of you is having a good month and a happy Christmas season! We are enjoying the holidays tremendously, and I am crossing my fingers and praying that we can get to Christmas without getting sick. We always manage to get sick just in time to have to cancel most of our holiday dates (parties, etc.), and it hasn't happened this year.... but there's still over a week to go, so I'm not counting any chickens!
Lots of news going on in the birth world, lots of things happening - it's an exciting time to be involved!
I hope to check in before Christmas, but if not, have a lovely Christmas!!!
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Note on Breastfeeding
I have many, many things to say about breastfeeding.... and no time at all to say them. Thankfully many of you wonderful bloggers out there are saying them for me!
But in the meantime, here is a note on our non-culture of support for breastfeeding.
This afternoon I received a phone message telling me the protocol for pre-procedure fasting for our baby (age 15 months). It went something like this:
"Before the procedure, baby can have solids till 4 a.m., formula till 6 a.m., and clear liquids till 9 a.m. If for some reason he's still breastfeeding, he can have breastmilk till 8 a.m."(Emphasis mine.)
Do I really need to say anything more? The easy assumption that "of COURSE a 15-month-old baby is weaned" does not reflect well on our current medical culture.
We have work to do.
But in the meantime, here is a note on our non-culture of support for breastfeeding.
This afternoon I received a phone message telling me the protocol for pre-procedure fasting for our baby (age 15 months). It went something like this:
"Before the procedure, baby can have solids till 4 a.m., formula till 6 a.m., and clear liquids till 9 a.m. If for some reason he's still breastfeeding, he can have breastmilk till 8 a.m."(Emphasis mine.)
Do I really need to say anything more? The easy assumption that "of COURSE a 15-month-old baby is weaned" does not reflect well on our current medical culture.
We have work to do.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
New Midwife Blog: Check It Out!
One of Phoenix's many great midwives, Shell Walker, has started her own midwife blog! (And the people rejoiced!) Here it is:
Phoenix Midwife
Check it out... can't wait to read it! This is now two midwives from here in the valley who have midwife blogs.... the more the merrier! (The other is Stephanie Soderblom's Vita Mutari.... Now to convince my own awesome midwife to start her own!)
Thanks for writing, Shell!
Phoenix Midwife
Check it out... can't wait to read it! This is now two midwives from here in the valley who have midwife blogs.... the more the merrier! (The other is Stephanie Soderblom's Vita Mutari.... Now to convince my own awesome midwife to start her own!)
Thanks for writing, Shell!
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Wonderful Stuff!
When I get more than 20 tabs open in my internet browser, I know that I need to blog so that I can clear them up and stop frustrating my husband! (He's a one-tab sort of guy.)
So here goes!
This will be quick, though, because today is Lepkuchen Day! (see my other blog for more information) and I have a ton to do to get ready.
To start, an article on my pet subject (physiologic cord clamping, known popularly as delayed cord clamping):
Don't Clamp Umbilical Cords Straight After Birth, Urges Expert
The gist of it? Basically that the research community is realizing that immediate cord clamping (i.e. baby is born and cord is clamped within 10 seconds, still the normal practice in U.S. hospital) is not healthy for baby.
I am so thankful this is finally getting some media attention!
"Write About Birth" has written up a nice little summary of the article (the original article from the British Medical Journal, that is):
British OB questions premature cord clamping
Good stuff!
The one thing I find frustrating about this is the following (from the first article I linked):
"Obstetricians and midwives should wait a few minutes before clamping the umbilical cords of newborn infants so that babies are not harmed by the procedure..."
Okay, okay. I know it's progress, but couldn't we move straight to the logical conclusion? If clamping the cord before it stops pulsing is unnatural and unhealthy, let's just move to the end-conclusion right now - waiting to cut clamp the cord until it is totally done pulsing, not just waiting "a few minutes." I can just see new hospital protocol - "The cord shall be clamped and cut three minutes - not four or five, but three - after the birth." It seems that progress must always be made in grudgingly tiny increments.
However, progress is progress, and I am overjoyed to see it.
Also, from "Write About Birth" - a fascinating look at the language of childbirth:
Why Natural Childbirth is Not a "Great Accomplishment"
Absolutely fascinating. I never would have thought of those points. Definitely also check out the article she links to - "Watch Your Language."
Really good stuff!!
Also, from the Huffington Post:
Women Speak Out About What's Gone Wrong with the United States Birthing System
Can I say that I LOVED this article? Way to go!!! Thank you for writing!
On the subject of shoulder dystocia (a fascinating topic), the following three videos from a Midwifery Today Conference:
Shoulder Dystocia I
Shoulder Dystocia II
Shoulder Dystocia III
I have always found shoulder dystocia (a birth emergency in which the baby's anterior shoulder is impacted behind the maternal pubic bone, and which can cause injury to the baby if mishandled or death if is not resolved quickly) a fascinating subject. Why? Well, (1) it's equally an emergency at home or in hospital (because it's too late for a cesarean), and (2) it's an emergency in which natural childbirth - and thus a mobile mother - is a HUGE bonus, and (3) the best resolution is usually through the Gaskin Manoever, which was named after midwife Ina May Gaskin, who brought the procedure to the United States.
I have also found the subject of shoulder dystocia rather amusing, because obstetric textbooks often ignore the Gaskin Manoever (which is basically hands-and-knees for the mother) in favor of more severe - and gruesome! - procedures, such as the symphysiotomy (cutting the pelvis open by cutting through the connective tissue of the pelvic bone - OUCH!) or the Zavanelli Manoever (shoving the baby back up the vaginal canal and doing a cesarean - very bad results due to trauma to the baby and time from emergency to birth). Turning a mama over on her hands and knees is much more pleasant - and effective!
Oh, and if you want to see something screamingly funny, try this video - it is actors portraying (with the use of a model) a shoulder dystocia in-hospital. I'd be laughing if it wasn't so sad - get the mother off her back!!! The incidence of shoulder dystocia is drastically reduced in upright, mobile and unmedicated mothers.
There's probably more, but I am OUT of time! Off to make delicious Lep Kuchen! Happy weekend, everyone!
So here goes!
This will be quick, though, because today is Lepkuchen Day! (see my other blog for more information) and I have a ton to do to get ready.
To start, an article on my pet subject (physiologic cord clamping, known popularly as delayed cord clamping):
Don't Clamp Umbilical Cords Straight After Birth, Urges Expert
The gist of it? Basically that the research community is realizing that immediate cord clamping (i.e. baby is born and cord is clamped within 10 seconds, still the normal practice in U.S. hospital) is not healthy for baby.
I am so thankful this is finally getting some media attention!
"Write About Birth" has written up a nice little summary of the article (the original article from the British Medical Journal, that is):
British OB questions premature cord clamping
Good stuff!
The one thing I find frustrating about this is the following (from the first article I linked):
"Obstetricians and midwives should wait a few minutes before clamping the umbilical cords of newborn infants so that babies are not harmed by the procedure..."
Okay, okay. I know it's progress, but couldn't we move straight to the logical conclusion? If clamping the cord before it stops pulsing is unnatural and unhealthy, let's just move to the end-conclusion right now - waiting to cut clamp the cord until it is totally done pulsing, not just waiting "a few minutes." I can just see new hospital protocol - "The cord shall be clamped and cut three minutes - not four or five, but three - after the birth." It seems that progress must always be made in grudgingly tiny increments.
However, progress is progress, and I am overjoyed to see it.
Also, from "Write About Birth" - a fascinating look at the language of childbirth:
Why Natural Childbirth is Not a "Great Accomplishment"
Absolutely fascinating. I never would have thought of those points. Definitely also check out the article she links to - "Watch Your Language."
Really good stuff!!
Also, from the Huffington Post:
Women Speak Out About What's Gone Wrong with the United States Birthing System
Can I say that I LOVED this article? Way to go!!! Thank you for writing!
On the subject of shoulder dystocia (a fascinating topic), the following three videos from a Midwifery Today Conference:
Shoulder Dystocia I
Shoulder Dystocia II
Shoulder Dystocia III
I have always found shoulder dystocia (a birth emergency in which the baby's anterior shoulder is impacted behind the maternal pubic bone, and which can cause injury to the baby if mishandled or death if is not resolved quickly) a fascinating subject. Why? Well, (1) it's equally an emergency at home or in hospital (because it's too late for a cesarean), and (2) it's an emergency in which natural childbirth - and thus a mobile mother - is a HUGE bonus, and (3) the best resolution is usually through the Gaskin Manoever, which was named after midwife Ina May Gaskin, who brought the procedure to the United States.
I have also found the subject of shoulder dystocia rather amusing, because obstetric textbooks often ignore the Gaskin Manoever (which is basically hands-and-knees for the mother) in favor of more severe - and gruesome! - procedures, such as the symphysiotomy (cutting the pelvis open by cutting through the connective tissue of the pelvic bone - OUCH!) or the Zavanelli Manoever (shoving the baby back up the vaginal canal and doing a cesarean - very bad results due to trauma to the baby and time from emergency to birth). Turning a mama over on her hands and knees is much more pleasant - and effective!
Oh, and if you want to see something screamingly funny, try this video - it is actors portraying (with the use of a model) a shoulder dystocia in-hospital. I'd be laughing if it wasn't so sad - get the mother off her back!!! The incidence of shoulder dystocia is drastically reduced in upright, mobile and unmedicated mothers.
There's probably more, but I am OUT of time! Off to make delicious Lep Kuchen! Happy weekend, everyone!
Friday, November 12, 2010
Questions About NFP
TMI Alert! TMI Alert! TMI Alert!
That being said....
My husband and I (sort of) use NFP (Natural Family Planning) for our family-size control method. In case you haven't heard of it, NFP is a method that uses three main variables - basal body temperature, cervical fluid and cervical position - to track a woman's fertility. Abstinence is observed through the fertile period. When used correctly, it is just as effective as the Pill, and without all the nasty side effects.
On the whole, NFP is great. No ethical concerns, no health side-effects, no wait-time for getting "off" of it, no cost, etc. For birth control, it's great.
However, I'm finding it very hard to use right now.
When we started using NFP, it was at a great time - when we'd just evicted our son from our bed, so I was sleeping through the night (they say that you need 4 hours of uninterrupted sleep before taking one's temp to get accurate readings), and the overnight break from breastfeeding seemed to be enough to allow cervical fluid to return to normal - and readable - cyclical patterns.
However, at the current time, I am still co-sleeping with our baby. This means that I am NOT getting enough sleep to get good temperature readings, so I'm not even trying (I did try for one month, and my readings were all over the chart - it was unreadable). Also, my cervical fluid seems to be pretty screwy as well.
With all of that, we're pretty much playing with fire! Does anyone out there have any tips for using NFP while breastfeeding and co-sleeping?
Also, another complaint about NFP - the fact that "off limits" times are - predictably - during the time when one is most "receptive" to marital intimacy. Ahem. This makes sense, because sexual receptivity and peak fertile times are well-matched in order to assure greater chances of conception. But for birth control, it's a pain in the neck! What it means is that when one is wanting intimacy, the red flag is up, and by the time the green flag gives the go-ahead, intimacy sounds about as interesting as organizing cupboards. Or rather, less interesting, as I'm an organizational freak who enjoys organizing cupboards.
How do you NFP users deal with that issue?
One mother whose blog I read (don't ask me who, because I don't remember) made the interesting comment that she believes NFP can be harmful to marriages - probably because of the above, and also because NFP does put large limits on sexual activity between marriage partners. What with one's period and the off-limits fertile times, "abstinence time" accounts for more than half of my cycle. I think she probably referenced the Bible verse about "not denying each other unless it is for a time, for prayer, and then come together again lest Satan should tempt you." Thoughts, anyone?
I suppose we could just use a physical barrier method during the abstinence period, but that always makes me nervous - it lowers the effectiveness rate to the level of the barrier method used (which generally isn't too good) as opposed to the higher rate of NFP. But one of the reasons we started with NFP was to avoid the pain-in-the-neck nature of barrier methods! So that would be rather circular in nature.
I suppose we could throw it all to the wind and become a quiverful (no-birth-control) family, but the thought of going through hyperemesis every two years makes me want to run screaming.
If this entry feels rather round-about, know that I am very, very tired! So I should be doing something like getting ready for bed rather than typing - which I think I will do.
And again, I don't really want to malign NFP, because it really has a good thing going in many ways. I'm just perplexed by its difficulties. I would love your thoughts!
That being said....
My husband and I (sort of) use NFP (Natural Family Planning) for our family-size control method. In case you haven't heard of it, NFP is a method that uses three main variables - basal body temperature, cervical fluid and cervical position - to track a woman's fertility. Abstinence is observed through the fertile period. When used correctly, it is just as effective as the Pill, and without all the nasty side effects.
On the whole, NFP is great. No ethical concerns, no health side-effects, no wait-time for getting "off" of it, no cost, etc. For birth control, it's great.
However, I'm finding it very hard to use right now.
When we started using NFP, it was at a great time - when we'd just evicted our son from our bed, so I was sleeping through the night (they say that you need 4 hours of uninterrupted sleep before taking one's temp to get accurate readings), and the overnight break from breastfeeding seemed to be enough to allow cervical fluid to return to normal - and readable - cyclical patterns.
However, at the current time, I am still co-sleeping with our baby. This means that I am NOT getting enough sleep to get good temperature readings, so I'm not even trying (I did try for one month, and my readings were all over the chart - it was unreadable). Also, my cervical fluid seems to be pretty screwy as well.
With all of that, we're pretty much playing with fire! Does anyone out there have any tips for using NFP while breastfeeding and co-sleeping?
Also, another complaint about NFP - the fact that "off limits" times are - predictably - during the time when one is most "receptive" to marital intimacy. Ahem. This makes sense, because sexual receptivity and peak fertile times are well-matched in order to assure greater chances of conception. But for birth control, it's a pain in the neck! What it means is that when one is wanting intimacy, the red flag is up, and by the time the green flag gives the go-ahead, intimacy sounds about as interesting as organizing cupboards. Or rather, less interesting, as I'm an organizational freak who enjoys organizing cupboards.
How do you NFP users deal with that issue?
One mother whose blog I read (don't ask me who, because I don't remember) made the interesting comment that she believes NFP can be harmful to marriages - probably because of the above, and also because NFP does put large limits on sexual activity between marriage partners. What with one's period and the off-limits fertile times, "abstinence time" accounts for more than half of my cycle. I think she probably referenced the Bible verse about "not denying each other unless it is for a time, for prayer, and then come together again lest Satan should tempt you." Thoughts, anyone?
I suppose we could just use a physical barrier method during the abstinence period, but that always makes me nervous - it lowers the effectiveness rate to the level of the barrier method used (which generally isn't too good) as opposed to the higher rate of NFP. But one of the reasons we started with NFP was to avoid the pain-in-the-neck nature of barrier methods! So that would be rather circular in nature.
I suppose we could throw it all to the wind and become a quiverful (no-birth-control) family, but the thought of going through hyperemesis every two years makes me want to run screaming.
If this entry feels rather round-about, know that I am very, very tired! So I should be doing something like getting ready for bed rather than typing - which I think I will do.
And again, I don't really want to malign NFP, because it really has a good thing going in many ways. I'm just perplexed by its difficulties. I would love your thoughts!
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Theoretical Questions
I love theoretical questions! I think them up constantly, and then fire them at DH while he's showering or similarly unprepared. "Hey! Say that such-and-such happened. What would you do then?"
DH, in true spousal opposites fashion, despises theoretical questions and avoids them like the plague. That's why I catch him in the shower, when he can't get away. :)
So tonight I threw some really good ones his way, concerning birth. We couldn't quite think of the answers! What are your answers?
(1) Say you were in an area with only one midwife.... but you didn't like her or get along with her. Birth with a midwife you don't like, birth in-hospital, or go unassisted?
(2) Say you were in an area with only one midwife... but you disagreed with her over some point or belief that was absolutely vital to you? (i.e. pro-life v. pro-choice, etc.) Birth with a midwife you have deep disagreements with, birth in-hospital, or go unassisted?
(3) What if you're in an area with NO midwife? Birth in-hospital, or go unassisted?
(4) What if you're in an area where homebirth midwifery is illegal? Birth with a black-market midwife, birth in-hospital, or go unassisted?
Can you think of any other theoretical questions to add to this list? What are your answers to the ones above?
DH, in true spousal opposites fashion, despises theoretical questions and avoids them like the plague. That's why I catch him in the shower, when he can't get away. :)
So tonight I threw some really good ones his way, concerning birth. We couldn't quite think of the answers! What are your answers?
(1) Say you were in an area with only one midwife.... but you didn't like her or get along with her. Birth with a midwife you don't like, birth in-hospital, or go unassisted?
(2) Say you were in an area with only one midwife... but you disagreed with her over some point or belief that was absolutely vital to you? (i.e. pro-life v. pro-choice, etc.) Birth with a midwife you have deep disagreements with, birth in-hospital, or go unassisted?
(3) What if you're in an area with NO midwife? Birth in-hospital, or go unassisted?
(4) What if you're in an area where homebirth midwifery is illegal? Birth with a black-market midwife, birth in-hospital, or go unassisted?
Can you think of any other theoretical questions to add to this list? What are your answers to the ones above?
Kids Really Do....
.... say the darnedest things!
And when you add a birth junkie for a mother into the picture, they really really really say the darnedest things!
The following conversation occurred spontaneously last week, just after I had served our son (4yo) his cereal.
Son: I wish I had a uterus.
Me: (after shocked silence) Why's that?
Son: Because I want to have a baby.
Me: (another pause) Well, when you get married, your wife will have a baby for you.
Son: (grudgingly, after pondering for a moment) Well..... okay.
Over the past six months he's been insisting that our midwife should come over so that he could have a baby, so I guess he must finally be accepting biological inevitability.
You never know quite what they're going to say!
And when you add a birth junkie for a mother into the picture, they really really really say the darnedest things!
The following conversation occurred spontaneously last week, just after I had served our son (4yo) his cereal.
Son: I wish I had a uterus.
Me: (after shocked silence) Why's that?
Son: Because I want to have a baby.
Me: (another pause) Well, when you get married, your wife will have a baby for you.
Son: (grudgingly, after pondering for a moment) Well..... okay.
Over the past six months he's been insisting that our midwife should come over so that he could have a baby, so I guess he must finally be accepting biological inevitability.
You never know quite what they're going to say!
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Lovely, Lovely, Lovely Home Waterbirth Video!
A friend on the Arizona Birth Network posted her birth video from the birth of her son this past May. I am so pleased and excited to share it, with her permission!
Katie's Birth of Baby Lincoln: A Home Waterbirth
Can I say that I loved - LOVED - this video? It brought tears to my eyes from the sheer beauty. Many, many congratulations to this sweet mama and her family.
Some things I especially loved about this video:
I loved the combination of still photos and video footage. I would love to do that with my birth pics/video if I knew how! A great way to combine the artistry of photography with the reality of video footage. Beautiful.
I also loved how real this birth was. It showed the pain and the effort alongside the beauty and the power. It was a truly honest look at natural birth - all aspects of it. I loved that.
And also, this was just a great birth. Great support from the husband and the birth team, respectful and loving care from the midwife, undisturbed birth conditions leading to a physiologic birth (note, again, the longer second stage with an absence of the "Push! Push! PUSH!" mantra so typical in traditional American birth). Good stuff.
This was a beautiful birth! Thank you for sharing!
Also, in honor of this video, I have started a new sidebar! (I know, I know, "Stop with the sidebars, for crying out loud!" I can't help myself.) The name of it - "Beautiful Birth Videos"! This is first on the list, and I'll be adding gradually. I want mothers out there to have a list of good, positive birth videos to watch instead of the horrific ones (or highly fictional ones) on television. Here's to a wonderful start!
Just lovely.
Katie's Birth of Baby Lincoln: A Home Waterbirth
Can I say that I loved - LOVED - this video? It brought tears to my eyes from the sheer beauty. Many, many congratulations to this sweet mama and her family.
Some things I especially loved about this video:
I loved the combination of still photos and video footage. I would love to do that with my birth pics/video if I knew how! A great way to combine the artistry of photography with the reality of video footage. Beautiful.
I also loved how real this birth was. It showed the pain and the effort alongside the beauty and the power. It was a truly honest look at natural birth - all aspects of it. I loved that.
And also, this was just a great birth. Great support from the husband and the birth team, respectful and loving care from the midwife, undisturbed birth conditions leading to a physiologic birth (note, again, the longer second stage with an absence of the "Push! Push! PUSH!" mantra so typical in traditional American birth). Good stuff.
This was a beautiful birth! Thank you for sharing!
Also, in honor of this video, I have started a new sidebar! (I know, I know, "Stop with the sidebars, for crying out loud!" I can't help myself.) The name of it - "Beautiful Birth Videos"! This is first on the list, and I'll be adding gradually. I want mothers out there to have a list of good, positive birth videos to watch instead of the horrific ones (or highly fictional ones) on television. Here's to a wonderful start!
Just lovely.
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