Dear Doctor,
Why is the exact duration of a woman's pregnancy unknown?
Because I have no way to know when exactly a woman conceived.
Fear not, for I induce labor by 41 weeks if you have not gone into labor on your own by then.
Why is the end of pregnancy often restless, uncomfortable, and emotional?
It is often restless because of the size of the belly, and the hormones in the body.
It is uncomfortable because of the added weight, the weight of the baby, and the size of the belly.
It is emotional due to the many hormones that your body is producing in this time.
Fear not, for I have medications for the restlessness. I will tell you to not lift a finger if pregnancy becomes too uncomfortable, and promise an induction as soon as you're past term. I have medications for the emotions, and as soon as you rid your body of that fetus, your hormones will regulate.
Why is labor gradually more painful as time goes on?
It is increasingly more painful because the body is opening for baby. If your bones are too small, then the pain will be harder, and often pointless. If the baby is not in a good position, it will make it harder and more painful, and the baby may not come out on his own.
Fear not, for I have drugs and anesthesia to numb you from the pain. If the baby is too big or in a bad position, I will cut him out so that you will not suffer. Fear not, for I will not allow you to go too long in labor.
Are there risks with these drugs?
Very little. You need not worry about them, because you will need them to get through the pains of labor. Why should you have to suffer, when I can relieve the pain? Do not worry about the risk to your baby, because you need to be comfortable so that you can enjoy baby after the birth. Yes, there is a risk that the labor will slow, that the baby will become distressed, or that you may not be able to push the baby out effectively...
But fear not, because if the labor slows, I have drugs to make labor come back faster. Fear not, because if the baby becomes distress, I will cut him out so that he does not suffer. Fear not, because if you cannot push him out, I will use forceps or I will cut him out of your body.
Why is the urge to push said to be unbearable?
The urge to push is only felt if you do not have drugs or anesthesia in your body. This is not necessary, as I will tell you when your cervix is fully dilated, and when you will be allowed to push. I will tell you when your baby is ready.
Fear not, for I will not allow you to suffer by pushing for too long. If you cannot push the baby out, I will rescue him with forceps or a cesarean.
What is the purpose of the 'ring of fire' when pushing?
You need not worry about this if you have epidural anesthesia. You need not feel this painful sensation at all, and I do not like my patients to suffer. I will tell you when your baby's head is emerging, and if the baby's head is slow to come, I will simply cut your flesh. If I need to cut it, I will repair it with sutures.
Fear not, for I am skilled with the scissors and repair techniques.
Why do women's nipples darken during pregnancy?
They darken due to hormones. No need to worry, as they will return to normal within the months after birth, if you bottle feed.
Fear not, for they will be pretty again.
Why will my breasts leak milk after giving birth?
This is the body's normal reaction to birth. Don't worry though, as the milk will dry off and you will be rid of the heaviness within a few weeks of birth, if you bottle feed. Yes, breastmilk is best, but no one should expect a mother to feed a baby from the breast if she does not like the idea. The formula companies are always improving their design, to make it more like breastmilk. And don't worry about the chemicals in formula, as they are in such small amounts that they will surely not affect your baby.
Fear not, for you do not have to cause your breasts to be saggy...I will send you home with free samples of the second best nutrition for your baby.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Dear God,
Dear God,
Why is the exact duration of a woman's pregnancy unknown to her?
Because each baby develops at a different pace in the womb, and is ready to be born only in their own time.
Fear not, and have patience, for I have a perfect Birth Day for every baby.
Why did You make it so that the end of pregnancy is often restless, uncomfortable, and emotional?
I made it restless so that your body will be ready for the night feedings with your baby.
I made it uncomfortable so that you will be ready to face the sensations of birth, that will bring forth your baby.
I made it emotional so that you will be prepared for the many emotions that come in the moment you see the fruit of your womb for the first time, and in the months of adjustment to motherhood after.
Fear not, for I created you to have strength and endurance.
Why did You make labor to be increasingly strong and painful?
So that you may learn to work through the birth pangs in each stage, and take them one at a time, rejoicing in the increasing strength and knowing that your baby is near. I made it so that the contractions grow in strength and intensity so that each one may bring the baby lower, and direct baby to be in the best position. I made labor sensations so that you may respond to your body with each need, and in knowing when baby is ready for you to begin pushing.
Fear not, for I created you to be strong and able.
Why did You make the urge to push so unbearable?
So that you would begin to push, only at the perfect time. If you begin to push before this unbearable urge, you will likely push much longer than you need to. I created this urge so that you would know, without doubt, when the baby is ready to emerge from the womb.
Fear not, for I created it this way so that you would not exhaust your body in pushing before your body and your baby are ready.
Why did You create the 'ring of fire' when pushing?
So that you would feel clearly when the baby's head is ready to emerge, and push slowly, so as to not tear your flesh.
Fear not, for I created your skin to stretch slowly, allowing for baby's head. I created your tissue to tear along only the weakest spots, if a tear is necessary. These tears will heal well on their own.
Why did You create labor and birth to be so hard for most women?
Labor and birth will not be painful for every woman, but every woman will have hard work in labor. This is a part of the curse of Adam and Eve, a part of your entry into motherhood. Just as the men are called upon to work hard to provide for their family, women are called upon to work hard to bring forth the life of their womb. Hard work in labor and birth will prepare you for the task and honor of being a mother. With motherhood comes hard work. Physically, mentally, emotionally hard work. Labor and birth open the door for the task you will be faced with.
Fear not, for I also created birth to have a reward. I created your body to release the highest amount of endorphins that will ever be known to your body, if you leave labor and birth to My design. Hindering the process will not bring this release though, so know that the hard work of labor serves a purpose, and is not without reward.
Why do women's nipples darken during pregnancy?
So that the newborn at birth, whose eyesight is yet blurry, may find the breast and be well nourished.
Fear not, for I created it so that baby may always find his way to his mother's breast, and find comfort and health.
Why do my breasts leak milk after giving birth?
So that you may provide your baby with the perfect nutrition. Colostrum so thick with fat and protein, perfect for the newly birthed baby. Breastmilk that comes in at the perfect time, in two parts. First, thinner to quench the baby's thirst. Second, thick hindmilk to fill baby's belly. Each feeding is filled with different tastes, and different textures. This prepares baby for toddler hood, when he will begin to taste the first solid foods of his life. Through nursing at the breast, a baby develops a strong, healthy jaw, and is filled with antibodies, vitamins, and essential fatty acids. A baby also receives the warmth of his mother's breast, the smell of her skin, and the sound of her heart.
Fear not, for I created breastmilk to be the most perfect food for your baby.
Why is the exact duration of a woman's pregnancy unknown to her?
Because each baby develops at a different pace in the womb, and is ready to be born only in their own time.
Fear not, and have patience, for I have a perfect Birth Day for every baby.
Why did You make it so that the end of pregnancy is often restless, uncomfortable, and emotional?
I made it restless so that your body will be ready for the night feedings with your baby.
I made it uncomfortable so that you will be ready to face the sensations of birth, that will bring forth your baby.
I made it emotional so that you will be prepared for the many emotions that come in the moment you see the fruit of your womb for the first time, and in the months of adjustment to motherhood after.
Fear not, for I created you to have strength and endurance.
Why did You make labor to be increasingly strong and painful?
So that you may learn to work through the birth pangs in each stage, and take them one at a time, rejoicing in the increasing strength and knowing that your baby is near. I made it so that the contractions grow in strength and intensity so that each one may bring the baby lower, and direct baby to be in the best position. I made labor sensations so that you may respond to your body with each need, and in knowing when baby is ready for you to begin pushing.
Fear not, for I created you to be strong and able.
Why did You make the urge to push so unbearable?
So that you would begin to push, only at the perfect time. If you begin to push before this unbearable urge, you will likely push much longer than you need to. I created this urge so that you would know, without doubt, when the baby is ready to emerge from the womb.
Fear not, for I created it this way so that you would not exhaust your body in pushing before your body and your baby are ready.
Why did You create the 'ring of fire' when pushing?
So that you would feel clearly when the baby's head is ready to emerge, and push slowly, so as to not tear your flesh.
Fear not, for I created your skin to stretch slowly, allowing for baby's head. I created your tissue to tear along only the weakest spots, if a tear is necessary. These tears will heal well on their own.
Why did You create labor and birth to be so hard for most women?
Labor and birth will not be painful for every woman, but every woman will have hard work in labor. This is a part of the curse of Adam and Eve, a part of your entry into motherhood. Just as the men are called upon to work hard to provide for their family, women are called upon to work hard to bring forth the life of their womb. Hard work in labor and birth will prepare you for the task and honor of being a mother. With motherhood comes hard work. Physically, mentally, emotionally hard work. Labor and birth open the door for the task you will be faced with.
Fear not, for I also created birth to have a reward. I created your body to release the highest amount of endorphins that will ever be known to your body, if you leave labor and birth to My design. Hindering the process will not bring this release though, so know that the hard work of labor serves a purpose, and is not without reward.
Why do women's nipples darken during pregnancy?
So that the newborn at birth, whose eyesight is yet blurry, may find the breast and be well nourished.
Fear not, for I created it so that baby may always find his way to his mother's breast, and find comfort and health.
Why do my breasts leak milk after giving birth?
So that you may provide your baby with the perfect nutrition. Colostrum so thick with fat and protein, perfect for the newly birthed baby. Breastmilk that comes in at the perfect time, in two parts. First, thinner to quench the baby's thirst. Second, thick hindmilk to fill baby's belly. Each feeding is filled with different tastes, and different textures. This prepares baby for toddler hood, when he will begin to taste the first solid foods of his life. Through nursing at the breast, a baby develops a strong, healthy jaw, and is filled with antibodies, vitamins, and essential fatty acids. A baby also receives the warmth of his mother's breast, the smell of her skin, and the sound of her heart.
Fear not, for I created breastmilk to be the most perfect food for your baby.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Media Continues to Fuel Fear and Ignorance
Thursday nights are my television nights. It begins with Ugly Betty at 8, followed by Grey's Anatomy (YAY!), and now...Private Practice. For those who have never seen it, it is about a practice of doctors who offer all-around medicine. They have a Psychiatrist, a Pediatrician, 2 OB/GYNs, a Family Medicine Doc, an Alternative practitioner ( he does acupuncture, herbal therapy, etc ), and even a male student midwife who doubles as receptionist.
In the past, Private Practice hasn't exactly been unbiased in what they show for plot lines. In one episode, Addison Shepard made it perfectly clear that waterbirths are dangerous, disgusting, and a wading pool for disease.
Last night, I was beyond horrified and enfuriated with what I saw. It was media scare tactics at its best.
I'm not saying this in a judgemental way, but let's get serious for a minute here. The average American woman doesn't bother researching things like childbirth, breastfeeding vs. formula feeding, circumcision, or vaccination past what easy-read books like "What To Expect...", "Girlfriend's Guide...", and their favorite shows have to offer. Ladies, I hate to tell you, but this is NOT research.
Last night's episode happened to be about vaccinations. There was a mother who had been coming to the Practice for years, since her oldest son was a baby. Apparently after his 2 year shots, he developed Autism. She blamed it on the vaccinations, as the symptoms appeared immediately after a round of boosters. She chose to not vaccinate anymore, which meant not vaccinating her younger sons at all. In this episode, she comes back from a trip from Switzerland, and it is found that her younger son has the Measles. The practice flips out, quarantines everyone until they can get vaccination confirmation on everyone...and then proceeds to talk horribly about the woman who did not vaccinate.
The words "Child Abuse" were thrown in. It was debated at the round table discussion of doctors whether or not the pediatrician should FORCE the mother to vaccinate the sick child, and the other 2 as well. Only 2 ( reluctantly, I might add ) out of 7 said that it should be the parents' choice. The other 5 said that it was child abuse, and that the pediatrician should report the mother to Child Services.
The child gets worse, and *dies* from the measles. After the child is pronounced dead, the pediatrician goes out into the waiting room with a syringe of the measles vaccine, and vaccinates the other child against the mother's consent.
At first mom cries and screams, saying she will SUE the doctor, IF the child has any adverse reactions...and then is lamenting over causing her son to die because she chose not to vaccinate.
Is this is what people are resorting to? Seriously?
The average American parent gets their information from sources like this. They see this, through an emotional episode, then agree with how crazy and stupid people are for choosing alternatives in the health of their children.
I admit - I was crying. For a SPLIT SECOND, I second guessed my choice in not vaccinating. And then I realized that if I, who have DONE a lot of research on this, was having a split second of questioning...what are ignorant mothers/parents doing after this episode? The ones who HAVEN'T done the research?
Let's get one thing straight....if vaccinations protect against these diseases, why on earth are the parents of VACCINATED children freaking out here?
Secondly, the TINY population of children who are NOT vaccinated, are not going to cause an outbreak of rare disease that's going to kill everyone. Again, if you're vaccinated and your children are vaccinated...what's the worry? Those of us "crazies" will all die off, and you won't have anything to worry about. ;)
And child abuse? Social Services? Is this what our society is boiling down to? I believe it's MAJOR child abuse to have parents smoke inside the home where children live and sleep. Am I calling child services though? I believe it's child abuse to have alcoholic adults in the homes where children reside.
The media has already succeeded in fueling the fear surrounding childbirth. Are we going to let them do it to vaccinations?
One of the ways that the government and the media fuels this fear, is by making the number of deaths in these cases sound huge!
You tell me...over how many years have we seen a total of 1,000 cases in the US? The "outbreak" in 2005 was said to be the largest in YEARS...and that totaled 66 cases. So we have, what?, roughly 3.2 deaths due to measles in the past decade? Two? Three? And how many of those were the elderly, or the ones with already weakened immune systems?
As I said...the media has a way to make everything look so scary. Let's do our own research parents!
In the past, Private Practice hasn't exactly been unbiased in what they show for plot lines. In one episode, Addison Shepard made it perfectly clear that waterbirths are dangerous, disgusting, and a wading pool for disease.
Last night, I was beyond horrified and enfuriated with what I saw. It was media scare tactics at its best.
I'm not saying this in a judgemental way, but let's get serious for a minute here. The average American woman doesn't bother researching things like childbirth, breastfeeding vs. formula feeding, circumcision, or vaccination past what easy-read books like "What To Expect...", "Girlfriend's Guide...", and their favorite shows have to offer. Ladies, I hate to tell you, but this is NOT research.
Last night's episode happened to be about vaccinations. There was a mother who had been coming to the Practice for years, since her oldest son was a baby. Apparently after his 2 year shots, he developed Autism. She blamed it on the vaccinations, as the symptoms appeared immediately after a round of boosters. She chose to not vaccinate anymore, which meant not vaccinating her younger sons at all. In this episode, she comes back from a trip from Switzerland, and it is found that her younger son has the Measles. The practice flips out, quarantines everyone until they can get vaccination confirmation on everyone...and then proceeds to talk horribly about the woman who did not vaccinate.
The words "Child Abuse" were thrown in. It was debated at the round table discussion of doctors whether or not the pediatrician should FORCE the mother to vaccinate the sick child, and the other 2 as well. Only 2 ( reluctantly, I might add ) out of 7 said that it should be the parents' choice. The other 5 said that it was child abuse, and that the pediatrician should report the mother to Child Services.
The child gets worse, and *dies* from the measles. After the child is pronounced dead, the pediatrician goes out into the waiting room with a syringe of the measles vaccine, and vaccinates the other child against the mother's consent.
At first mom cries and screams, saying she will SUE the doctor, IF the child has any adverse reactions...and then is lamenting over causing her son to die because she chose not to vaccinate.
Is this is what people are resorting to? Seriously?
The average American parent gets their information from sources like this. They see this, through an emotional episode, then agree with how crazy and stupid people are for choosing alternatives in the health of their children.
I admit - I was crying. For a SPLIT SECOND, I second guessed my choice in not vaccinating. And then I realized that if I, who have DONE a lot of research on this, was having a split second of questioning...what are ignorant mothers/parents doing after this episode? The ones who HAVEN'T done the research?
Let's get one thing straight....if vaccinations protect against these diseases, why on earth are the parents of VACCINATED children freaking out here?
Secondly, the TINY population of children who are NOT vaccinated, are not going to cause an outbreak of rare disease that's going to kill everyone. Again, if you're vaccinated and your children are vaccinated...what's the worry? Those of us "crazies" will all die off, and you won't have anything to worry about. ;)
And child abuse? Social Services? Is this what our society is boiling down to? I believe it's MAJOR child abuse to have parents smoke inside the home where children live and sleep. Am I calling child services though? I believe it's child abuse to have alcoholic adults in the homes where children reside.
The media has already succeeded in fueling the fear surrounding childbirth. Are we going to let them do it to vaccinations?
One of the ways that the government and the media fuels this fear, is by making the number of deaths in these cases sound huge!
Unfortunately, the death rate among those who contract measles has risen recently in the United States from one in 1,000 cases to 3.2 in 1,000 cases. This higher death rate in people who contract measles seems to be due to infection of very young children who have not received the vaccine and older children and young adults who have not been fully vaccinated.
You tell me...over how many years have we seen a total of 1,000 cases in the US? The "outbreak" in 2005 was said to be the largest in YEARS...and that totaled 66 cases. So we have, what?, roughly 3.2 deaths due to measles in the past decade? Two? Three? And how many of those were the elderly, or the ones with already weakened immune systems?
As I said...the media has a way to make everything look so scary. Let's do our own research parents!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Why Epidurals AREN'T "God's Gift to Women"
I hear this so many times...."Thank GOD for the Epidural!", or "The Epidural is God's gift to laboring women..."
There are so many reasons why an Epidural in labor is a BAD idea, nevermind that it is definitely NOT a gift from God.
Why?
1. God designed labor to work perfectly together. This includes *FEELING* your contractions, pelvic floor, and pushing sensations so that your body can respond accordingly. With an epidural, you *cannot* push as effectively as you would without one.
This OFTEN leads to longer labors, augmentation with pitocin ( because an epidural has a high risk of slowing labor down ), and a much longer pushing stage that is often accompanied with an instrumental delivery ( Vacuum, forceps ).
2. Epidurals can cause a fever in mom. In turn, the baby will likely be sent to the NICU for a complete sepsis work up, because they cannot assume that the fever is simply from the epidural, instead of a full infection in the uterus.
3. Epidurals can cause both temporary and permanent back and nerve damage. If it is not placed PERFECTLY, it can cause major damage.
4. Epidurals can cause major headaches that can last up to several weeks. Try recovering from childbirth, caring for a newborn ( which hopefully includes breastfeeding ), while dealing with a headache that won't go away.
5. Women who use epidurals during labor are statistically less likely to be breastfeeding at 6 months. And, since breastfeeding was designed by God to be a baby's perfect nutrition.....
6. Epidurals come with a higher risk of cesarean surgery. When a woman's labor slows, and pitocin can't pick it back up...it usually leads to a cesarean. When a woman cannot push effectively, and it's been longer than your Obstetrician ( Trained Surgeon ) is comfortable with...it usually leads to a cesarean. If you happen to get a fever from the epidural, and it increases and you are not near delivery...it usually leads to a cesarean.
7. Having an epidural disconnects you from the birthing process on an emotional level. You basically leave your baby to go through the physical aspects of labor, by him/herself, while you chit chat away, do your makeup, or get some shut-eye.
8. When you choose an epidural in labor, you screw up the flow of endorphins that was supposed to be released ( the HIGHEST amount your body will ever receive at once .... that God is a smart one! ) after natural childbirth. Now, you will not have that release. The release of endorphins after natural childbirth aids in the breastfeeding relationship, the immediate bonding, and lowers the rate of Post Partum Depression.
9. Epidurals confine you to bed, which can lead to a malpositioned baby. God designed our pelvis to be mobile, and this helps *tremendously* during labor. Through remaining mobile, we are able to help the baby rotate into optimal position for birth. In the absense of mobility, the pelvis can become stiff, and not respond to labor/pushing as it should. Epidurals also often come with the doctor artificially breaking the amniotic sac, which in turn helps to create or cement a malpositioned baby.
10. The final reason? Epidurals are selfish on the part of the mom. Epidurals have no benefit for the baby, it only adds risk. Epidurals allow the mom to have decreased to no pain during labor, once again, leaving the baby to experience the physical aspects of labor on his/her own.
Women, we are STRONG. Our bodies are CAPABLE of pushing a baby out without anesthesia. We were designed, by God, to birth babies without intervention. And sadly, it's the intervention that often leads to problems during labor and delivery, and leaves our babies susceptible to invasive intervention in the first hours of their lives...when they should be in mama's arms, and at mama's breast.
There are so many reasons why an Epidural in labor is a BAD idea, nevermind that it is definitely NOT a gift from God.
Why?
1. God designed labor to work perfectly together. This includes *FEELING* your contractions, pelvic floor, and pushing sensations so that your body can respond accordingly. With an epidural, you *cannot* push as effectively as you would without one.
This OFTEN leads to longer labors, augmentation with pitocin ( because an epidural has a high risk of slowing labor down ), and a much longer pushing stage that is often accompanied with an instrumental delivery ( Vacuum, forceps ).
2. Epidurals can cause a fever in mom. In turn, the baby will likely be sent to the NICU for a complete sepsis work up, because they cannot assume that the fever is simply from the epidural, instead of a full infection in the uterus.
3. Epidurals can cause both temporary and permanent back and nerve damage. If it is not placed PERFECTLY, it can cause major damage.
4. Epidurals can cause major headaches that can last up to several weeks. Try recovering from childbirth, caring for a newborn ( which hopefully includes breastfeeding ), while dealing with a headache that won't go away.
5. Women who use epidurals during labor are statistically less likely to be breastfeeding at 6 months. And, since breastfeeding was designed by God to be a baby's perfect nutrition.....
6. Epidurals come with a higher risk of cesarean surgery. When a woman's labor slows, and pitocin can't pick it back up...it usually leads to a cesarean. When a woman cannot push effectively, and it's been longer than your Obstetrician ( Trained Surgeon ) is comfortable with...it usually leads to a cesarean. If you happen to get a fever from the epidural, and it increases and you are not near delivery...it usually leads to a cesarean.
7. Having an epidural disconnects you from the birthing process on an emotional level. You basically leave your baby to go through the physical aspects of labor, by him/herself, while you chit chat away, do your makeup, or get some shut-eye.
8. When you choose an epidural in labor, you screw up the flow of endorphins that was supposed to be released ( the HIGHEST amount your body will ever receive at once .... that God is a smart one! ) after natural childbirth. Now, you will not have that release. The release of endorphins after natural childbirth aids in the breastfeeding relationship, the immediate bonding, and lowers the rate of Post Partum Depression.
9. Epidurals confine you to bed, which can lead to a malpositioned baby. God designed our pelvis to be mobile, and this helps *tremendously* during labor. Through remaining mobile, we are able to help the baby rotate into optimal position for birth. In the absense of mobility, the pelvis can become stiff, and not respond to labor/pushing as it should. Epidurals also often come with the doctor artificially breaking the amniotic sac, which in turn helps to create or cement a malpositioned baby.
10. The final reason? Epidurals are selfish on the part of the mom. Epidurals have no benefit for the baby, it only adds risk. Epidurals allow the mom to have decreased to no pain during labor, once again, leaving the baby to experience the physical aspects of labor on his/her own.
Women, we are STRONG. Our bodies are CAPABLE of pushing a baby out without anesthesia. We were designed, by God, to birth babies without intervention. And sadly, it's the intervention that often leads to problems during labor and delivery, and leaves our babies susceptible to invasive intervention in the first hours of their lives...when they should be in mama's arms, and at mama's breast.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
The Red Tent
Recently I got my hands on a copy of the book The Red Tent by Anita Diamant. I'm halfway through it, and while I'm not sure how I feel about it on a spiritual level, I'm loving the birth stories.
I'm also loving the idea of women going inside of a tent for the duration of their period, and being amongst one another. Maybe not modern women, as we tend to be quite bitchy and emotional during our periods...but these women seemed to pamper each other during this time, and during the time of pregnancy. Reading of them massaging each other with oil, eating sweet breads, braiding each others hair...this sounded like the way to spend the duration of a period. ;)
I was also in awe at the idea of being inside of a specific place for birth, and having your sisters and friends surround you and embrace you with love and encouragement while birthing a baby. Nursing one anothers babies if there was a need. Tending to each others children, and loving each others children as their own.
It was a testament to how birth used to be. Life was accepted, as well as death. When a baby died, there wasn't a hunt to find someone responsible. It was a part of life, and accepted as such. When this happened, the circle of women surrounded the grieving mother. This seldom happens in modern society.
I have always said that if I were to get pregnant again, I would have an unassisted birth, but would want close friends surrounding me. This is still something that I desire, even though I don't think I will be having anymore babies. IF I got pregnant again, I would want a birth that is my own. I would want a birth where I have my close friends and sisters in birth surrounding me with love and encouragement and support. I think that would be a beautiful birth. No one else checking my cervix, or my blood pressure, or anything else. It would be me in tune with my body, my baby, and knowing what was going on inside.
This book has been an entertaining, and capturing read for me.
I'm also loving the idea of women going inside of a tent for the duration of their period, and being amongst one another. Maybe not modern women, as we tend to be quite bitchy and emotional during our periods...but these women seemed to pamper each other during this time, and during the time of pregnancy. Reading of them massaging each other with oil, eating sweet breads, braiding each others hair...this sounded like the way to spend the duration of a period. ;)
I was also in awe at the idea of being inside of a specific place for birth, and having your sisters and friends surround you and embrace you with love and encouragement while birthing a baby. Nursing one anothers babies if there was a need. Tending to each others children, and loving each others children as their own.
It was a testament to how birth used to be. Life was accepted, as well as death. When a baby died, there wasn't a hunt to find someone responsible. It was a part of life, and accepted as such. When this happened, the circle of women surrounded the grieving mother. This seldom happens in modern society.
I have always said that if I were to get pregnant again, I would have an unassisted birth, but would want close friends surrounding me. This is still something that I desire, even though I don't think I will be having anymore babies. IF I got pregnant again, I would want a birth that is my own. I would want a birth where I have my close friends and sisters in birth surrounding me with love and encouragement and support. I think that would be a beautiful birth. No one else checking my cervix, or my blood pressure, or anything else. It would be me in tune with my body, my baby, and knowing what was going on inside.
This book has been an entertaining, and capturing read for me.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Labor Induction
I've ranted and raved about this subject more than a dozen times before...and it never gets old. There is always new material out and about for me to rant about, when it comes to the practice of women forcefully evicting their unborn babies, mostly out of either convenience or coercion.
Rarely anymore do I hear of an induction that is actually medically warranted. Usually, it's because mom is so sick and tired of being pregnant, that she just wants baby out. Or, due to the holiday season, the OB is leaving on vacation...and well, you wouldn't want another doctor to attend your birth, would you? :sigh:
What gets me is the continuing cycle of ignorance. Women really don't get, or care to understand, that inductions without medical reason do more harm than good to their baby. But why would you listen to a crazy ranting lady, instead of your WONDERFUL *coughTrainedSurgeoncough*...err, I mean OB? Is an extra couple of days, or an extra week or two REALLY worth putting your baby at risk? Is it worth putting your body at risk for so many things? Is it worth the greater risk of ending up with a c-section, and possibly a baby in the NICU? Really?
What kills me is that I recently read the birth story of a woman I used to know. She has NEVER been patient enough to allow her babies to come in their own time, and always made herself sound like an idiot with the "I'm not trying to be a hero", in regards to forgoing that precious epidural. So she has never gone into labor on her own, and she has never allowed herself to actually FEEL any of her babies be birthed. This last baby was no exception. And this time? This time she allowed them to use Cytotec to induce her...and her incredibly ignorant explanation was that Cytotec is a much more "gentle" way of inducing labor, in comparison to Pitocin.
Maybe she's never read the reports of women and babies *DYING* after Cytotec inductions, or the fact that the FDA pulled it off the "Accepted Drug" lists, along with issuing an extreme warning about its use. :shrug:
The sad part is, there are so many babies out there who are not allowed to be birthed gently, in their own time. They are forced out with harsh drugs, and then more drugs are poured into their tiny systems just so their mother doesn't have to "suffer" birth pains. So baby is left to go through a forced labor, on their own.
What are the risks of an induction?
Failure. Your body does what it's supposed to do, and protects the baby who is not yet ready to be born.
Fetal Distress. In forcefully trying to get baby out when baby is not ready, many respond to induction drugs by going into distress.
Hemorrhage. When your body has been forced to do something it's not ready to, the uterus can become over-stimulated, and exhausted, causing problems with it contracting after a birth, leading to hemorrhage.
Instrumental Delivery. Since women rarely withstand inductions without drugs or an epidural, inductions have a very high rate of instrumental ( forceps, vacuum ) delivery, which would also come with iatrogenic perineal injury.
Cesarean Section. The fact is, inducing labor comes with a high risk of a cesarean delivery. If you weren't in labor, your body and your baby weren't ready. Forcing it may work for some, but definitely not for all. You will likely spend the time recovering from major abdominal surgery ( and a harder time getting baby to breastfeed if baby spent any time in the NICU ), that you could have spent in the remainder of the pregnancy, and birthing a baby who was ready to be born.
When will women learn? When will women regain the patience that women USED to have, and rest in the knowledge that babies know when it's the best time to come?
And for those who love to argue for arguments' sake...I'm not speaking of medically necessary inductions. ( Eclampsia, true IUGR, etc ) I'm speaking of the women who get to 40,41,42 weeks and don't want to be pregnant anymore. I'm speaking of the women who have been "stuck" at 1,2,3,4cm "forever" and like to believe that they'll never go into labor on their own. I'm speaking of the women who allow their doctors to schedule induction because they're ready to go out of town, or have a Tee Time to make it to. Or for women who believe it's safest to induce at 39/40 weeks because their baby will be TOO HUGE to birth within a week or two....because we all know that baby's head and shoulders hit an INCREDIBLE growth spurt past then. ;)
And for the Prodromal Laboring women....Prodromal labor SUCKS, but it still doesn't mean you're in actual labor for weeks on end, or that your baby will never come out. It doesn't mean that baby is ready. It doesn't mean that induction is okay because you're tired, frustrated, or hurting. Have patience. Your baby will come, and often, there's a VERY good reason for prodromal labor, or intense Braxton Hicks contractions.
Women, slow down. Have patience, and allow your babies to come in the time that they're meant to, naturally.
Rarely anymore do I hear of an induction that is actually medically warranted. Usually, it's because mom is so sick and tired of being pregnant, that she just wants baby out. Or, due to the holiday season, the OB is leaving on vacation...and well, you wouldn't want another doctor to attend your birth, would you? :sigh:
What gets me is the continuing cycle of ignorance. Women really don't get, or care to understand, that inductions without medical reason do more harm than good to their baby. But why would you listen to a crazy ranting lady, instead of your WONDERFUL *coughTrainedSurgeoncough*...err, I mean OB? Is an extra couple of days, or an extra week or two REALLY worth putting your baby at risk? Is it worth putting your body at risk for so many things? Is it worth the greater risk of ending up with a c-section, and possibly a baby in the NICU? Really?
What kills me is that I recently read the birth story of a woman I used to know. She has NEVER been patient enough to allow her babies to come in their own time, and always made herself sound like an idiot with the "I'm not trying to be a hero", in regards to forgoing that precious epidural. So she has never gone into labor on her own, and she has never allowed herself to actually FEEL any of her babies be birthed. This last baby was no exception. And this time? This time she allowed them to use Cytotec to induce her...and her incredibly ignorant explanation was that Cytotec is a much more "gentle" way of inducing labor, in comparison to Pitocin.
Maybe she's never read the reports of women and babies *DYING* after Cytotec inductions, or the fact that the FDA pulled it off the "Accepted Drug" lists, along with issuing an extreme warning about its use. :shrug:
The sad part is, there are so many babies out there who are not allowed to be birthed gently, in their own time. They are forced out with harsh drugs, and then more drugs are poured into their tiny systems just so their mother doesn't have to "suffer" birth pains. So baby is left to go through a forced labor, on their own.
What are the risks of an induction?
Failure. Your body does what it's supposed to do, and protects the baby who is not yet ready to be born.
Fetal Distress. In forcefully trying to get baby out when baby is not ready, many respond to induction drugs by going into distress.
Hemorrhage. When your body has been forced to do something it's not ready to, the uterus can become over-stimulated, and exhausted, causing problems with it contracting after a birth, leading to hemorrhage.
Instrumental Delivery. Since women rarely withstand inductions without drugs or an epidural, inductions have a very high rate of instrumental ( forceps, vacuum ) delivery, which would also come with iatrogenic perineal injury.
Cesarean Section. The fact is, inducing labor comes with a high risk of a cesarean delivery. If you weren't in labor, your body and your baby weren't ready. Forcing it may work for some, but definitely not for all. You will likely spend the time recovering from major abdominal surgery ( and a harder time getting baby to breastfeed if baby spent any time in the NICU ), that you could have spent in the remainder of the pregnancy, and birthing a baby who was ready to be born.
When will women learn? When will women regain the patience that women USED to have, and rest in the knowledge that babies know when it's the best time to come?
And for those who love to argue for arguments' sake...I'm not speaking of medically necessary inductions. ( Eclampsia, true IUGR, etc ) I'm speaking of the women who get to 40,41,42 weeks and don't want to be pregnant anymore. I'm speaking of the women who have been "stuck" at 1,2,3,4cm "forever" and like to believe that they'll never go into labor on their own. I'm speaking of the women who allow their doctors to schedule induction because they're ready to go out of town, or have a Tee Time to make it to. Or for women who believe it's safest to induce at 39/40 weeks because their baby will be TOO HUGE to birth within a week or two....because we all know that baby's head and shoulders hit an INCREDIBLE growth spurt past then. ;)
And for the Prodromal Laboring women....Prodromal labor SUCKS, but it still doesn't mean you're in actual labor for weeks on end, or that your baby will never come out. It doesn't mean that baby is ready. It doesn't mean that induction is okay because you're tired, frustrated, or hurting. Have patience. Your baby will come, and often, there's a VERY good reason for prodromal labor, or intense Braxton Hicks contractions.
Women, slow down. Have patience, and allow your babies to come in the time that they're meant to, naturally.
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