A panel of medical experts on Wednesday recommended steps to reverse a trend that has dismayed many pregnant women: the increasing difficulty of finding doctors and hospitals that will let a woman try to give birth normally if she has had a Caesarean section in the past.I myself tried to keep up with the tweets (twitters? twittles? I dunno.) as it was happening and I just couldn't make heads or tails of it. Trying to do just about anything that requires sustained attention is not that easy when there's potty training going on. Which Badger is doing, by Jove! He had just one accident yesterday. Progress, progress.
Showing posts with label activism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label activism. Show all posts
Panel Urges New Look at Caesarean Guidelines
The New York Times reports on the recommendations of a panel at the NIH regarding VBACs and Cesarean sections:
State Bill Would Ban Shackling Female Prisoners Giving Birth
State Bill Would Ban Shackling Female Prisoners Giving Birth
Yeah. That's big of them! There have been times during my hospital births when I have felt like a prisoner -- that gown is a big factor (and why I wore my own clothes for Charlie's birth) -- but can you IMAGINE being actually shackled? Where the hell do they think moms are going to GO? And how quickly do they think they'd be able to run?!
Legislation has been proposed to ban state prisons and county jails in Pennsylvania from shackling pregnant female prisoners to gurneys or beds in prison hospitals at the time they go into labor and give birth.
Yeah. That's big of them! There have been times during my hospital births when I have felt like a prisoner -- that gown is a big factor (and why I wore my own clothes for Charlie's birth) -- but can you IMAGINE being actually shackled? Where the hell do they think moms are going to GO? And how quickly do they think they'd be able to run?!
Elective cesarean sections are too risky, WHO study says
Elective cesarean sections are too risky, WHO study says
This article in Scientific American... I hope it will be one more step to a reasonable rate of occurrence for a life-saving surgery instead of the 30-35% rate that the US currently enjoys. However, since ob/gyns typically scoff at anything the WHO says, I believe this change will come from the "bottom" up -- i.e., mothers, doulas, midwives, childbirth educators, etc.A Day with Ina May -- Part Two
The topics listed for the afternoon were Post-date Inductions (including midwifery methods of inductions) and Demand Cesareans: What Women Probably Don't Know. Ina May didn't quite stick to the outline but that was fine by me (although there were those who beg to differ). She brought panels from The Safe Motherhood Quilt, which is something of a memorial to mothers who have died as a result of complications of pregnancy or birth.
She talked a lot about the risks of induction and the lack of informed consent. Ina May also discussed not only the sharp increase of maternal morbidity but the method of reporting deaths -- from the fact that death certificates are different from state to state, that reporting of maternal deaths is done on the honor system, and that autopsies are rarely performed. She described the quilt as a blunt instrument and I am so glad that she brought it with her.
One of the reasons *I* loved this part is that Ina May got political. In my opinion, you cannot have a conversation about maternal health and not have a political discussion. It's too intertwined. It's absurd. You can't point out the fact that the system sucks and not talk about why -- especially when the fact of the matter is, as a result of the system being so busted, women die and they don't need to.
So the conference ended and after cleaning up the room, some doulas were able to have dinner with Ina May. What an treat it was to have a casual conversation with Ina May! How many stories she must have -- and she wisely confirmed that I really didn't want to be camping at Bonnaroo with my kids and being really pregnant in June -- even if it is a killer line up AND close to the Farm! Honestly, some days I really feel like packing it in and moving to the Farm or somewhere like.
Anyway, I will always treasure this picture and the time spent with Ina May. Here's Ina May Gaskin, yours truly, Thing Three, and my extra chins:
She talked a lot about the risks of induction and the lack of informed consent. Ina May also discussed not only the sharp increase of maternal morbidity but the method of reporting deaths -- from the fact that death certificates are different from state to state, that reporting of maternal deaths is done on the honor system, and that autopsies are rarely performed. She described the quilt as a blunt instrument and I am so glad that she brought it with her.
One of the reasons *I* loved this part is that Ina May got political. In my opinion, you cannot have a conversation about maternal health and not have a political discussion. It's too intertwined. It's absurd. You can't point out the fact that the system sucks and not talk about why -- especially when the fact of the matter is, as a result of the system being so busted, women die and they don't need to.
So the conference ended and after cleaning up the room, some doulas were able to have dinner with Ina May. What an treat it was to have a casual conversation with Ina May! How many stories she must have -- and she wisely confirmed that I really didn't want to be camping at Bonnaroo with my kids and being really pregnant in June -- even if it is a killer line up AND close to the Farm! Honestly, some days I really feel like packing it in and moving to the Farm or somewhere like.
Anyway, I will always treasure this picture and the time spent with Ina May. Here's Ina May Gaskin, yours truly, Thing Three, and my extra chins:
A Day with Ina May -- Part One
Yesterday was Heart and Hands Doula Service's 9th annual Family Centered Maternity Care Conference and as I *may* have mentioned, the only speaker was none other than Ina May Gaskin. What an AMAZING and tiring day!At left, Jan Mallak introduces Ina May.
The beginning of the day focused on using manual skills instead of relying on medical interventions and tests (for instance, it has been proposed that ob residents no longer need to be able to palpate the abdomen to determine fetal position); Sphincter Law (my favorite part was the idea that the vagina was erectile tissue much like the penis, and that instead of "stretching" it just plain gets bigger); and the Forgotten Powers of the Vagina. The second two topics blended together flawlessly. Lunch was pretty bad but it was nice not to have to wonder if the food was actually vegetarian -- it was!!! Of course no one came for the food but rather for the legendary speaker and the company of fellow birth professionals.
The conference room at PPG Chemical Center
The Heart and Hands Display
Heather Mallak, baby Zeev, and Ina May
And I'm going to stop here, publish, and then write part 2 later -- it's taken me about 9 hours to write this much due to catching up at home!
Third Baby in China Dies from Tainted Formula
A third baby has died after drinking tainted formula and more than 6,000 children have been made ill, Chinese officials said Wednesday.
China's largest producer of milk, Mengniu Dairy Group, announced the recall of three batches of formula made in January after tests showed they were contaminated.
More than 6,200 babies have been sickened by milk powder now found to be tainted with the chemical melamine, said Li Changjiang, China's director of quarantine and inspection, up from about 1,200 on Tuesday.
More than 1,300 infants are hospitalized. The illnesses include malnutrition, kidney stones and acute renal failure.
This is yet another reason why I think that formula should be more closely regulated. China is not alone in having to recall formula -- it's been done in the United States 22 times from between 1982 and 1994 alone. With a manufactured product, there is a risk of contaminating the sole food supply for astonishing numbers of young babies.
We are fortunate to live in a time when babies who cannot receive human breastmilk for whatever reason are not left to starve. We are fortunate to live in a time when a cesarean birth can save the life of mom and baby alike. We are NOT fortunate to see these options overused and abused.
The Midwife Center Sponsors Screening of “The Business of Being Born” on Saturday, October 4, 2008
The Midwife Center Sponsors Screening of “The Business of Being Born” on Saturday, October 4, 2008
Clients and friends of The Midwife Center understand its value first-hand and know how lucky we are to have access to an independent midwife practice. Now that the United States has the second worst newborn death rate in the developed world as more and more medical interventions during birth become commonplace, the Center is even more precious. Ricki Lake’s response to this crisis in birth was to produce a documentary film about birth titled The Business of Being Born.
From the producers:
Birth is a miracle, a rite of passage, a natural part of life. But birth is also big business.
Compelled to explore the subject after the delivery of her first child, actress Ricki Lake recruits filmmaker Abby Epstein to question the way American women have babies.
The film interlaces intimate birth stories with surprising historical, political and scientific insights and shocking statistics about the current maternity care system. When director Epstein discovers she is pregnant during the making of the film, the journey becomes even more personal.
Should most births be viewed as a natural life process, or should every delivery be treated as a potentially catastrophic medical emergency?
If you haven’t seen the film, you don’t want to miss it. Even if you have seen the film, please consider joining us for this special screening event and inviting that friend you’ve been meaning to tell about the center. More women need to see that there is another way – this film will make it crystal clear.
Screening of The Business of Being Born
Waterworks Cinema, Aspinwall
Saturday, October 4, 2008
9:30am - Bagels and coffee reception
10:00am – Welcome and movie screening, followed by a panel of local physicians and certified nurse-midwives to answer questions from the audience.
Tickets are available at The Midwife Center or at the door for $10.00 each or 2 tickets for $15. A kid’s movie will be shown at the same time, supervised by volunteers, for $6 per child (ages 6 and up recommended). Please call 412-321-6884 or email c.haas@midwifecenter.org for more information and to RSVP for your child(ren).
Clients and friends of The Midwife Center understand its value first-hand and know how lucky we are to have access to an independent midwife practice. Now that the United States has the second worst newborn death rate in the developed world as more and more medical interventions during birth become commonplace, the Center is even more precious. Ricki Lake’s response to this crisis in birth was to produce a documentary film about birth titled The Business of Being Born.
From the producers:
Birth is a miracle, a rite of passage, a natural part of life. But birth is also big business.
Compelled to explore the subject after the delivery of her first child, actress Ricki Lake recruits filmmaker Abby Epstein to question the way American women have babies.
The film interlaces intimate birth stories with surprising historical, political and scientific insights and shocking statistics about the current maternity care system. When director Epstein discovers she is pregnant during the making of the film, the journey becomes even more personal.
Should most births be viewed as a natural life process, or should every delivery be treated as a potentially catastrophic medical emergency?
If you haven’t seen the film, you don’t want to miss it. Even if you have seen the film, please consider joining us for this special screening event and inviting that friend you’ve been meaning to tell about the center. More women need to see that there is another way – this film will make it crystal clear.
Screening of The Business of Being Born
Waterworks Cinema, Aspinwall
Saturday, October 4, 2008
9:30am - Bagels and coffee reception
10:00am – Welcome and movie screening, followed by a panel of local physicians and certified nurse-midwives to answer questions from the audience.
Tickets are available at The Midwife Center or at the door for $10.00 each or 2 tickets for $15. A kid’s movie will be shown at the same time, supervised by volunteers, for $6 per child (ages 6 and up recommended). Please call 412-321-6884 or email c.haas@midwifecenter.org for more information and to RSVP for your child(ren).
Dr. Phil Homebirth Show
I got this request today. If you'd like to share your homebirth story, here's a chance to do so!
If you have not already seen this, Dr. Phil is doing a show on the horrors stories of home birth!! He wants you to submit your bad stories so he can do a show on it. Please flood his site with your positive stories so that he can know that the correct story would be to do a show on the joys of home birth!! I just sent in mine. If you haven't had a home birth but have attended one or know someone who has, write about theirs!
http://www.drphil.com/plugger/respond/?plugID=12524
Whoa. Hathor is UNMASKED!
strange happenings over at Hathor the Cow Goddess. Looks like she's now just "mama"!
She's fierce and kinda scary. I like her!
She's fierce and kinda scary. I like her!
Been slacking!
Maybe it's the weather, maybe it's the preschooler who makes her way into our bed at night, maybe it's our upcoming trip to the inlaws but I've been sort of blah on the blog. So here are some updates!
What's been going on with our family...
Not too much with me and the hubby. We're looking forward to our trip to see the inlaws and maybe take an overnight trip without the kids.
We've been working with Badger to get him to start talking and we wonder if he is saying more words than we realize, it's just difficult to understand. We're looking forward to his next well child checkup so we can perhaps move forward in getting him evaluated for a delay. Other than that... he's awesome -- a funny, sweet, curious, nearly year-and-a-half old kiddo!
Chim is doing really well and is obsessed with princesses. Seriously. We got her some princess playsets as a reward for doing so well with her medicine and since then that's all she can talk about or think about.
What's been going on with my doula life...
I'm still hoping to do my first postpartum doula job before we go away but if Mom is doing so well that she doesn't need me, well, that's not the worst thing in the world either!
I have a birth client lined up for early June -- a really nice couple expecting their fourth child!
I was flattered to be invited to the christening of a client's son and I'm happy to report that not only is the family doing very well, the roof of the church did not come crashing down on my head.
Last night I went to the VBAC support group at the Midwife Center. Even though there was only one attendee I am glad that I went.
What I've been thinking about, birth-wise...
I don't know if it's just the line of work I am now in, or the stage of life I'm in, but it seems like I'm hearing about a LOT fewer cesarean births. I feel like when I had Chim, everyone I knew had a cesarean birth as well, but other than my late-March client, I haven't heard of one in maybe a year! Has anyone else felt this way?
Lots of folks are talking about the pregnant man. I find this fascinating on a sociological/personal level but pretty boring on a biological level, which is the angle most people seem fixated on. It's be awesome to be his doula!
A large contingent of Amish descended on Harrisburg to protest the prosecution of midwife Diane Goslin. Somewhere in the mess of my desk I have information about a grass-roots group that is being organized in PA to advocate for homebirth midwifery, and I will share that when I can find it!
And a request for prayers and good thoughts for a local midwife who we learned this week has breast cancer.
What's been going on with our family...
Not too much with me and the hubby. We're looking forward to our trip to see the inlaws and maybe take an overnight trip without the kids.
We've been working with Badger to get him to start talking and we wonder if he is saying more words than we realize, it's just difficult to understand. We're looking forward to his next well child checkup so we can perhaps move forward in getting him evaluated for a delay. Other than that... he's awesome -- a funny, sweet, curious, nearly year-and-a-half old kiddo!
Chim is doing really well and is obsessed with princesses. Seriously. We got her some princess playsets as a reward for doing so well with her medicine and since then that's all she can talk about or think about.
What's been going on with my doula life...
I'm still hoping to do my first postpartum doula job before we go away but if Mom is doing so well that she doesn't need me, well, that's not the worst thing in the world either!
I have a birth client lined up for early June -- a really nice couple expecting their fourth child!
I was flattered to be invited to the christening of a client's son and I'm happy to report that not only is the family doing very well, the roof of the church did not come crashing down on my head.
Last night I went to the VBAC support group at the Midwife Center. Even though there was only one attendee I am glad that I went.
What I've been thinking about, birth-wise...
I don't know if it's just the line of work I am now in, or the stage of life I'm in, but it seems like I'm hearing about a LOT fewer cesarean births. I feel like when I had Chim, everyone I knew had a cesarean birth as well, but other than my late-March client, I haven't heard of one in maybe a year! Has anyone else felt this way?
Lots of folks are talking about the pregnant man. I find this fascinating on a sociological/personal level but pretty boring on a biological level, which is the angle most people seem fixated on. It's be awesome to be his doula!
A large contingent of Amish descended on Harrisburg to protest the prosecution of midwife Diane Goslin. Somewhere in the mess of my desk I have information about a grass-roots group that is being organized in PA to advocate for homebirth midwifery, and I will share that when I can find it!
And a request for prayers and good thoughts for a local midwife who we learned this week has breast cancer.
Ban the Bags
Free Formula Undermines Breastfeeeding
With my Chim, I did get formula from the hospital and I did use it, although we breastfed for the vast majority of the time after my milk FINALLY came in.
With Badger, I got formula just in the mail and I gave it to a food bank. He never had a drop of formula (and for that matter, the little darling never took breastmilk from a bottle either. I think I dumped 500 ounces. Heartbreaking.).
Mothers who take home a formula company gift bag are more likely to stop exclusively breastfeeding their babies by 10 weeks of age, according to a new study in the American Journal of Public Health .
With my Chim, I did get formula from the hospital and I did use it, although we breastfed for the vast majority of the time after my milk FINALLY came in.
With Badger, I got formula just in the mail and I gave it to a food bank. He never had a drop of formula (and for that matter, the little darling never took breastmilk from a bottle either. I think I dumped 500 ounces. Heartbreaking.).
Negative Breastfeeding Language
I rambled around this topic a few weeks back, but this article is much better at addressing the topic!
Negative Breastfeeding Language: Summary of Diane Weissinger’s Essay, “Watch Your Language”
Negative Breastfeeding Language: Summary of Diane Weissinger’s Essay, “Watch Your Language”
Consequences of Improper Formula Use
Formula Anyone? From Bellies and Babies
I'm so glad that Nicole Deelah's blog reminded me of this incredible illustration.
This is such a dramatic photo and story of a woman who was told that she would not be able to breastfeed both her twins, so she formula fed one and breastfed the other. Of course in many parts of the world, the water used to mix formula powder is unsafe; and the expense of formula leads mothers to water down the formula in order to stretch their supplies. This leads to the state of the child on the right. Absolutely tragic.
Do some babies need formula in order to thrive? Yes, and thank goodness that it's available for those babies. I'm thinking of one friend in particular who had a post-cesarean infection that resulted in her milk supply never being fully established (even so, she breastfed and supplemented with formula for four months, before switching to formula exclusively). But I'll be darned if I don't see the majority of babies on formula who don't need to be and it makes me upset, in part because it funnels money to these companies who continue to market their product to women who live in parts of the world that just don't support the proper use of formula.
It's unfortunate that women are given terrible breastfeeding advice; that we live in a country where the chips are stacked against women breastfeeding for longer than 6 weeks; that our maternity care system includes standard interventions that interrupt the natural cycle of hormones and bonding that can be vital in establishing breastfeeding.
I'm so glad that Nicole Deelah's blog reminded me of this incredible illustration.
This is such a dramatic photo and story of a woman who was told that she would not be able to breastfeed both her twins, so she formula fed one and breastfed the other. Of course in many parts of the world, the water used to mix formula powder is unsafe; and the expense of formula leads mothers to water down the formula in order to stretch their supplies. This leads to the state of the child on the right. Absolutely tragic.
Do some babies need formula in order to thrive? Yes, and thank goodness that it's available for those babies. I'm thinking of one friend in particular who had a post-cesarean infection that resulted in her milk supply never being fully established (even so, she breastfed and supplemented with formula for four months, before switching to formula exclusively). But I'll be darned if I don't see the majority of babies on formula who don't need to be and it makes me upset, in part because it funnels money to these companies who continue to market their product to women who live in parts of the world that just don't support the proper use of formula.
It's unfortunate that women are given terrible breastfeeding advice; that we live in a country where the chips are stacked against women breastfeeding for longer than 6 weeks; that our maternity care system includes standard interventions that interrupt the natural cycle of hormones and bonding that can be vital in establishing breastfeeding.
Vaginal Birth after C-sec predicts future success
Vaginal Birth after C-sec predicts future success
I am happy to see this! My vbac journey also happened to begin my doula journey (although you could also say it began with my cesarean birth). I am unimaginably glad that I vbac'd and had a great care provider who helped me gain confidence.
Although Pittsburgh has its challenges for pregnant women, it seems like every day I hear about another awesome story about some doctor who tells a mom that VBAC is an excellent option that statistically has excellent outcomes, or a wonderful nurse in the women's hospital who took the time to help a new mom breastfeed, or a pediatrician who doesn't like to circumcise, or a midwife who goes above and beyond the call, or a doula who helps a dad-to-be gain confidence to be a wonderful labor partner.
A woman who has had one successful vaginal birth after cesarean delivery is even more likely to succeed during subsequent trials of vaginal birth, new research suggests.
...
"Women planning large families ... should be reassured by the increasing success rates and decreasing risks associated with VBAC attempts in successive pregnancies," Mercer and his associates conclude.
I am happy to see this! My vbac journey also happened to begin my doula journey (although you could also say it began with my cesarean birth). I am unimaginably glad that I vbac'd and had a great care provider who helped me gain confidence.
Although Pittsburgh has its challenges for pregnant women, it seems like every day I hear about another awesome story about some doctor who tells a mom that VBAC is an excellent option that statistically has excellent outcomes, or a wonderful nurse in the women's hospital who took the time to help a new mom breastfeed, or a pediatrician who doesn't like to circumcise, or a midwife who goes above and beyond the call, or a doula who helps a dad-to-be gain confidence to be a wonderful labor partner.
Watch this Video: Autism Speaks
Five for Fighting... as if it wasn't enough that they're hockey fans, further proof of their awesomeness. Each time someone watches this short video, Five for Fighting donates $0.40 to autism research.
Autism Speaks/Five for Fighting
Autism Speaks/Five for Fighting
Breast-Feeding Protected Mice from Asthma
Breast-Feeding Protected Mice from Asthma
A lot of folks are talking about reframing the way we talk about formula and breastmilk, in that breastmilk should be the standard and formula should be the other. So instead of saying, "Breastmilk helps prevent asthma," one should say, "Formula puts children at risk for asthma."
I don't know exactly how I feel about that. I guess I'm just a positive person (ha) and framing things in a positive way just seems, well, nicer. There are more important things than being nice, though.
Breast-feeding helped protect baby mice from developing allergic asthma, a new study found.
The mice that were breast-fed by mothers that had been exposed to an allergen "inherited" the allergen and developed tolerance to it.
A lot of folks are talking about reframing the way we talk about formula and breastmilk, in that breastmilk should be the standard and formula should be the other. So instead of saying, "Breastmilk helps prevent asthma," one should say, "Formula puts children at risk for asthma."
I don't know exactly how I feel about that. I guess I'm just a positive person (ha) and framing things in a positive way just seems, well, nicer. There are more important things than being nice, though.
Pregnancy Problems Tied to Caffeine
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/21/health/21caffeine.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
I am frankly a little surprised at how dramatically the risks increased!
Too much caffeine during pregnancy may increase the risk of miscarriage, a new study says, and the authors suggest that pregnant women may want to reduce their intake or cut it out entirely.
Many obstetricians already advise women to limit caffeine, though the subject has long been contentious, with conflicting studies, fuzzy data and various recommendations given over the years.
The new study, being published Monday in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, finds that pregnant women who consume 200 milligrams or more of caffeine a day — the amount in 10 ounces of coffee or 25 ounces of tea — may double their risk of miscarriage.
I am frankly a little surprised at how dramatically the risks increased!
Hooray for choices!
N.H. House votes to require insurance coverage for home births
http://www.boston.com/news/local/new_hampshire/articles/2008/01/16/
nh_house_votes_to_require_insurance_coverage_for_home_births/
The House voted Wednesday to require insurance companies to pay for children delivered at home by midwives in New Hampshire if the mother's plan would have paid for the birth in a hospital.
more stories like this
Supporters noted that the federal government reimburses women for home delivery under the Medicaid program.
Currently, a woman with health insurance that includes maternity benefits must pay the entire cost if the delivery is at home.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/new_hampshire/articles/2008/01/16/
nh_house_votes_to_require_insurance_coverage_for_home_births/
VBACS not "allowed"
It makes me so sad to hear of women being forced into repeat cesarean births when they might choose a vbac, all things being equal. My client, as you may have guessed, is about 99% headed for a scheduled repeat cesarean birth. She's not happy. The baby is not engaged at all and keeps flipping. I think that even if we went with moxibustion, which I had suggested to her, that the baby would probably flip again.
But I was asking my web-friends who have had "elective" repeat cesareans, how can I make this better for her? And I now know that "elective" isn't really the word. It's scheduled but it's not what many would choose. It's what they are stuck getting because otherwise they'd need to drive 90 minutes to a hospital that "does" vbacs (yes, that ticks me off... WOMEN HAVE vbacs, doctors and hospitals don't "do" them).
Sure, they could've travelled far and wide. They could've switched care providers. They could've gone underground and found a homebirth midwife. They could've even had an unassisted birth.
But why? Why couldn't they just have the birth they wanted, in the birthplace they wanted? How about if a woman doesn't have to choose a birthplace or care provider that in their hearts they aren't comfortable with, or something that their partners just won't support? It's a damn shame.
But I was asking my web-friends who have had "elective" repeat cesareans, how can I make this better for her? And I now know that "elective" isn't really the word. It's scheduled but it's not what many would choose. It's what they are stuck getting because otherwise they'd need to drive 90 minutes to a hospital that "does" vbacs (yes, that ticks me off... WOMEN HAVE vbacs, doctors and hospitals don't "do" them).
Sure, they could've travelled far and wide. They could've switched care providers. They could've gone underground and found a homebirth midwife. They could've even had an unassisted birth.
But why? Why couldn't they just have the birth they wanted, in the birthplace they wanted? How about if a woman doesn't have to choose a birthplace or care provider that in their hearts they aren't comfortable with, or something that their partners just won't support? It's a damn shame.
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