One of the most valuable things I have learned in the past 7 years of attending births, is to wait and do nothing. Yes, the emergency skills are incredibly important. Yes, knowing when to step in and intervene is incredibly important.
But in my opinion and experience, it is even more important to learn that when everything is going beautifully, you do nothing. Even if labor is on the longer end of normal. If baby and mama are doing well, do nothing. Check heart tones as often as mama has agreed to, provide emotional or physical support if mama needs it. But otherwise, do nothing. If you need to bring a crossword puzzle or a knitting project or a book to keep your hands busy, do it. But don't interfere with the beautiful dance of hormones just because you feel like you're doing nothing. You should feel like you're doing nothing, because nothing is exactly what's needed in the vast majority of normal births.
When I have couples thank me after a birth, I tell them that I really didn't do anything. Because most of the time, I don't. And I'm quite happy with that fact. There have been a few recent births in which I have needed to step in and be more hands-on, and it is hard for me to do. I am constantly weighing whether or not anything could have been done differently to have avoided things leading up to needing intervention. At a recent birth, I should have asked the large number of family members present, to go upstairs earlier than I did. Their presence was clearly inhibiting her labor. I saw it, my apprentice saw it. Yet, I didn't want to overstep my bounds because I know that this mama had wanted her family there. In the end, it was necessary, and should have happened sooner. And I will be writing soon about what the consequences can be with having too many people in the birthing space.
Doing nothing is what, again - in my opinion, all Midwives should strive for in the vast majority of their births. If they learn to do nothing, women are learning at the same time that their body works beautifully as it was made to work in birth. This is what is essential in women taking back their birthing rights in our culture. They must first learn that the birth process works most efficiently when left alone. They don't need vaginal exams, being told when/how to push, they don't need someone else catching their baby (unless mama and her partner don't wish to), and they certainly don't need someone assaulting their baby with a towel and a bulb syringe and a stethoscope as soon as the baby is out of the womb.
I say that it is one of the most important things to learn, because it is one of the hardest. During a longer labor, it is hard to not want to check dilation to see what progress mom is making. But there are other ways that can measure the progress of baby's descent without being invasive. There is the ever-so-interesting "purple butt crack line" (purple line on natal cleft), but the most telling is where you are finding fetal heart tones. You'll notice that it'll start somewhere near where the usual spot is, from prenatal appointments. Then as labor progresses, you'll find it lower in the belly. After mom has been laboring well and is vocalizing low through contractions, you'll find it in the center of the belly, above the pubic bone. This clearly shows the descent progress of the baby, without ever stopping mom's hormonal dance to put your hand up her vagina. And at this point (once heart tones are found right over pubic bone), if mom needs a boost of energy and resolve? She can check herself, and will, more often than not, find baby's head not far inside of the vaginal opening. I have watched a mom go from utterly exhausted and feeling defeated, to a sense of renewal and excitement when she feels her baby's head for herself.
Walk through the checklist - Does baby's heartrate sound normal and reactive? Is mom's blood pressure normal (I usually only check upon arrival, unless I have a client whose blood pressure has been elevated at the end of pregnancy)? Are you noticing descent progress via heart tone location? Is mom making progress as far as contractions being consistent and becoming more intense? Does mom have the option of total privacy?
If all are normal - do nothing. :)
Showing posts with label home birth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label home birth. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Friday, August 24, 2012
St. George Home Birth Article and My Response
This article came out online yesterday. I take issue with much of what is said in it, and even the picture of the Midwife holding baby while mom is nothing but a blur in the background. One thing that I have learned is that I have to fight to be seen as credible. I do this by knowing what the research says. Writers and Obstetricians need to be held to the same accountability.
My Response:
Dear Alexa Morgan,
I recently read your article about home birth in Southern Utah, and find myself asking where the research is. I am a Home Birth Midwife here in St. George – one with a zero transfer rate in labor – and a birth advocate. I see that you mentioned a study that was released, highlighting why some women might choose to birth at home, but then you erroneously stated:
“A myriad of studies have been conducted on the risks of home birth versus hospital birth with no conclusive results, due mainly to the low percentage of babies born at home.”
Yes, many studies have been done comparing home birth to hospital birth among low risk women since the 1970s. In fact, there have been 17 studies in the last 15 years alone. Even more when you include the number of studies done outside of the U.S. which shows better outcomes over all, outside of the hospital. But they all have one thing in common: They all show, very conclusively, that not only is home birth just as safe as hospital birth but that there is a much lower incidence of maternal morbidity when birthing at home. Fewer unnecessary interventions such as induction/augmentation of labor, artificially rupturing the amniotic sac, delivering in the lithotomy position, episiotomy, and instrumental deliveries lead to much better outcomes on the level of injury to mom and/or baby.
While I have had nothing but an amazing professional relationship with several Obstetricians in town, and while I thoroughly respect Dr. Fagnant for the positive changes that he has made within the labor and delivery department of DRMC, I disagree with a few of his statements.
There is no research to back up his blanket statement of which conditions preclude birthing at home. While there are most definitely situations and circumstances that may preclude a woman from birthing at home with a Midwife, it is not evidence-based to simply state:
“Any woman who has an illness, has had uterus surgery, is before or after their (due date), (is carrying) multiple babies, a large baby or (breech) baby should not deliver at home,”
It entirely depends upon which illness he speaks of. One cannot simply state that any women with an illness should not birth at home. While there are certainly illnesses that would necessitate a hospital birth, some chronic illnesses may not require it. Some conditions that might require hospital birth would be uncontrolled, insuline dependent diabetes; illness with medications that caused abnormalities in the fetus; certain heart conditions, etc.
As a mother who has had a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) at home, as a woman who has been researching VBAC for the past seven years, and as a Midwife who fully supports women who have had prior cesarean surgery, I also disagree that this precludes women from birthing at home. The research shows us that the main risk associated with VBAC is uterine rupture, and this occurs in 0.3-07% of VBACs. Less than other emergencies, such as cord prolapse, that would necessitate immediate hospital transfer. With a care provider who knows the research, who is experienced with VBAC, and who isn't afraid to transfer if anything seems to be off, VBAC at home can be very safe and continues to be a reasonable choice. For many women, it is the hospital or physician protocol which puts them in the position of choosing to birth at home after a prior cesarean. Some hospitals have banned VBAC altogether. Most have certain criteria for VBAC labors that must be closely followed. Sadly, many VBAC hopefuls find themselves in the operating room again, and know it was avoidable.
As to his statement about not birthing at home if you are before or after your due date, again I ask where the research is. Any skilled Midwife that I know would not attend a woman at home who is less than 36/37 weeks gestation. However, 37 weeks is full term and is normal for some women. For others, it can be completely normal and a part of their maternal history to gestate until 42/43 weeks. With proper monitoring, research shows us that expectant management is completely acceptable in terms of risk/benefit. Many women do not understand that normal gestation length is 38-42 weeks. Most believe that they are "overdue" and at risk beyond 40 weeks. This is simply not true.
Twins and breech babies can also be birthed at home without complication, with a skilled care provider. A Midwife who is experienced with multiples and breech knows what to look for in risk assessment, and knows which women should be in the hospital and which are safe to deliver at home. In the hospital, moms of multiples or of breech babies are often limited to cesarean surgery. Or may be allowed to birth twins vaginally, but in the operating room. Understandably, some women don't want to spend this most incredible and life-changing event in a cold, bright operating room with the thought of surgery being so close.
As a mom of ten pound babies, I am concerned with the blanket statement that women carrying a large baby should not birth at home. Weight is not nearly as relevant as head circumference. So much is misunderstood about the ability to birth babies of all sizes, particularly when there are no abnormalities causing the size of baby. There are things that make a dramatic difference in the ease of birthing a large baby. Mobility, ability to get into different positions that open the pelvis more than the semi-sitting or lithotomy position, and patience. Most often, these things are not available in the hospital. While there are wonderful Obstetricians who are thoroughly researched and are willing to offer these things to women, it is more the exception than the norm. One also takes into consideration that it is the structural size of the baby that matters, not how many pounds the baby weighs at birth. I have often heard of care providers stressing induction of labor at 40 or 41 weeks because, "The baby looks to be getting quite large.". However, the baby's structural size does not change between 40-42 weeks. For example, my 10lb 10oz VBAC baby, who was born onto my bed at home, had the same exact head, shoulder, and chest size as my friend's 8lb baby. It is simply not evidence-based to say that all women with a large baby should not birth at home.
I can completely understand Dr. Fagnant's concern with the transfers that he sees each month. I am concerned with particular things as well, regarding the health and safety of moms and babies at home. There are certain practices and beliefs in our community which have caused incredibly concerning transfers. I know that sometimes all care providers are lumped together, and I find this particularly true of the reputation of Midwives as a whole. But it is damaging for Dr. Fagnant to mention transfers, and then mention the deaths that he has seen in his time as an Obstetrician. An Obstetrician is simply going to see more death than a home care provider, because Obstetricians deal with not only higher risk pregnancies, but also have much higher rates of intervention in labor. Obstetricians deal with things like labor-inducing drugs which have side effects - including death - to go with them. They deal with emergencies that are more prevalent with intervention, such as cord prolapse, hemorrhage, and embolism.
So many aspects of pregnancy, labor, and birth are misrepresented and risks are inflated. Unfortunately, most people are less likely to do research than they are to take an authority figure's word as gospel. The concrete research is there. It is vitally important for families to thoroughly research their options in childbirth, and their potential care provider. But there has to be balanced information based on empirical research.
http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/myth-safer-hospital-birth-low-risk-pregnancies
http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/myth-safer-hospital-birth-low-risk-pregnancies http://www.cmaj.ca/content/181/6-7/377.abstract
http://www.bmj.com/content/330/7505/1416.abstract
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9271961?dopt=AbstractPlus
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Free Waterbirth Information Night - Cedar City
FREE Waterbirth Information Night!
Saturday, February 25th at 6:00pm
Braun Books - 25 N. Main St. Cedar City, Utah
Come to find out WHY and HOW birthing in water can help to Reduce Pain, Give Your Baby the Most Gentle Birth, Reduce the Risk of Tearing, and Reduce the Length of Labor.
Free information packets, Free Food, and Free Giveaways!
I am also doing a free raffle for $250 off of my birth fee.
For more information please email: BirthkeeperMidwifery@gmail.com
or visit the Facebook Event page at: Waterbirth Info Cedar
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Caution: Choose Carefully
A woman thought she had chosen her care provider carefully. One whom she thought would facilitate the peaceful, calm, beautiful birth that she envisioned for her first baby. She was comfortable with her care provider, confident that she would have the type of birth that she was dreaming about.
Then, at the end of pregnancy she is bombarded with stress from her care provider. Pressure to undergo tests that weren't based on evidence of anything going awry. A strict dietary change, which she needed to report to her care provider. When her water breaks and there is no labor yet, her care provider is unable to follow evidence based research, and have patience as long as mother and baby are doing well. Care provider talks heavily and often of intervention. Begins forcing induction techniques on the mother. The care provider's nervousness exudes from every action, in turn causing stress on the family. Soon the mother is able to force-start her labor, even though her intuition tells her that everything was fine. Her care provider ordered the birthing woman's mother to get out. When it came to pushing, she wasn't given an option of birthing anywhere but on her back. Her care provider instructed people to hold and pull her legs all the way back, while roughly hooking fingers into the mother's vagina to stretch and pull. Stretch and pull. Mom kicks at her care provider's hands, and says, “This hurts. Please stop.” Her care provider continues, saying that if mom doesn't want to tear, this is what needs to occur. Baby is born. Yet, it isn't the calm and beautiful meeting that either parent had hoped for. Within minutes, the care provider was pulling roughly on the umbilical cord, even though the mother said it hurt. Pulling tore the placenta off of the uterine wall, and heavy bleeding began. Before the family knew it, the care provider was gone, citing fatigue. The husband was left to worry about his wife's bleeding, and his child's breathing, without the professional that they had paid for.
For those of you who know the difference between home and hospital birth, this sounds like a hospital birth. It wasn't. This was birth at home. With a Midwife. Unfortunately, just hiring a Midwife to attend a home birth does not guarantee you a peaceful, safe, calm birthing experience. And there are things you can look for in the interview, and in the prenatal process. The problem for most families is that they blindly trust in their care provider. They don't question, and they don't do independent research. And the Midwives that I know of that have caused these kinds of birthing scenarios are extremely smooth with how they present things. It is almost a grooming technique. They tell you exactly what you want to hear. If you question things, they have a well-thought-out reason for why they will intervene in an otherwise healthy pregnancy, labor, or birth.
Red Flags in a Midwife:
*She has strict requirements for what you can and cannot do for your own birth. For example, she has the rule that you cannot birth on your own bed. You must birth in water (if she “lets” you actually birth in water – does not pull you out when you start pushing), or on the floor. This is controlling, not evidence based, and quite frankly – disturbing. There is nothing evidence based about not allowing a woman to birth in her own bed. A birthing woman should be able to birth wherever and however she chooses. Period.
*She becomes visibly nervous over things that are within normal or normal variation. A professional, experienced, and competent Midwife will make the family feel at ease, even if she internally feels nervous about something. This is the time for her to do research, collaborate with a peer, and then make a calm recommendation if evidence shows a reason to step in.
*She starts doing or wanting to do vaginal exams in the end of your pregnancy. Whatever reason she may give you, this is NOT evidence based. It holds no purpose whatsoever. It will not tell you when you will give birth, how well your labor will progress, or how baby is doing.
*You begin to feel like less of a peer with your Midwife, and more of a submissive party. You view your Midwife as an absolute authority figure who shouldn't be questioned, or one who will “disallow” you to do something. Your Midwife is your SUPPORT during a physiologic event in your life. Not your authority.
*She begins to come up with reasons why the things you may desire, or have planned for your birth, are not going to work out. For example – birthing in water. If she mentions that she “may have to pull you out” of the water for pushing, HUGE red flag. If she mentions that your partner or the person whom you have chosen to catch your baby can do so only with her help, huge red flag. There is nothing special about a Midwife's hands. She can sit back and carefully watch, and step in if there are any issues. Otherwise, she doesn't need to be involved.
*She answers, “We'll have to see how things are going...” in response to your desires for your birth.
And finally, for those of you who may be questioning what the heck happened during your birth...if your Midwife:
*Had you begin techniques to soften and prepare your cervix.
*Pressured you to begin intervention in your otherwise normal, healthy pregnancy.
*Began induction techniques because your waters released and labor didn't start yet, even though you and baby were not showing any signs or symptoms of infection.
*Was nervous during your labor – didn't seem like she was confident with what was occurring.
*Didn't allow you to birth anywhere but on the floor.
*Discouraged waterbirth, birth on your bed, or someone else from catching your baby. (including YOU!)
*Did multiple vaginal exams either without you asking, or because she had convinced you that they were necessary to assess progress and safety.
*Had you push before you felt the urge – your body will undeniably begin pushing on its own without any effort from you.
*Kept asking if you felt like pushing. A Midwife worth her salt knows that if you have to ask, mom definitely does not feel like pushing. Then mom wonders why she doesn't have to push yet. Is something wrong? When will I feel like pushing?
*Roughly applied perineal massage and stretching. If she told you that this is how to keep from tearing. If she told you that this was necessary. If she wouldn't stop when you mentioned how it hurt, was uncomfortable, or you didn't like it. Doing perineal stretching and massage is not evidence based. Research has shown that it does not reduce the risk of tearing, especially since the position that mom is in for this, is the LEAST optimal position for birth.
*Spoke to you in a controlling way. “Give me that baby!”, “You can either get down to business and REALLY push, and have this baby soon. Or you can keep going like this for hours.”
*Pulled on your placenta instead of waiting for the third stage to complete physiologically. By doing so, she put you at high risk for uterine and cervical prolapse, not to mention hemorrhage.
*Left shortly after your birth. A Midwife should remain in your home for a MINIMUM of two to three hours after birth. The first hour after birth is VITAL to mother-baby bonding, and should not be disrupted by newborn examination, birth certificate worksheets, or anything else if all has gone well. The time after birth is to assure that mom and baby are doing well, that they are snuggled into bed, that baby is nursing well, mom has eaten, and everything is cleaned up.
If she did any of the above, she did not practice in a safe, evidence based manner.
Overall, your Midwife should practice in a way that supports evidence based research and protocols. Not fear based, and definitely not control based. Women are perfectly capable of birthing out in the middle of the forest without anyone else around. They definitely do not need an overbearing, controlling Midwife to step in and make things unsafe.
Ask for the contact information of her last 3 clients. Ask them questions about their birth. Ask them about the demeanor of the Midwife during pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum. Ask about her transfer rate. Does she end up taking a lot of her clients in to the hospital? Call the hospital. Talk to the nurses. What is the reputation of the Midwife there?
If you have seen any of these red flags and feel it is too late to switch, it's not. Call around. Explain your situation. Make other arrangements for your birth, instead of continuing with these red flags, and possibly putting yourself, your baby, and your birth experience at risk.
Be careful with your choice in care provider. There are no do-overs in birth, and you will always remember the way that you were made to feel during your birthing process. Always remember that YOU are the one in charge of your birth. You hire your care provider – they work for you....not the other way around.
Then, at the end of pregnancy she is bombarded with stress from her care provider. Pressure to undergo tests that weren't based on evidence of anything going awry. A strict dietary change, which she needed to report to her care provider. When her water breaks and there is no labor yet, her care provider is unable to follow evidence based research, and have patience as long as mother and baby are doing well. Care provider talks heavily and often of intervention. Begins forcing induction techniques on the mother. The care provider's nervousness exudes from every action, in turn causing stress on the family. Soon the mother is able to force-start her labor, even though her intuition tells her that everything was fine. Her care provider ordered the birthing woman's mother to get out. When it came to pushing, she wasn't given an option of birthing anywhere but on her back. Her care provider instructed people to hold and pull her legs all the way back, while roughly hooking fingers into the mother's vagina to stretch and pull. Stretch and pull. Mom kicks at her care provider's hands, and says, “This hurts. Please stop.” Her care provider continues, saying that if mom doesn't want to tear, this is what needs to occur. Baby is born. Yet, it isn't the calm and beautiful meeting that either parent had hoped for. Within minutes, the care provider was pulling roughly on the umbilical cord, even though the mother said it hurt. Pulling tore the placenta off of the uterine wall, and heavy bleeding began. Before the family knew it, the care provider was gone, citing fatigue. The husband was left to worry about his wife's bleeding, and his child's breathing, without the professional that they had paid for.
For those of you who know the difference between home and hospital birth, this sounds like a hospital birth. It wasn't. This was birth at home. With a Midwife. Unfortunately, just hiring a Midwife to attend a home birth does not guarantee you a peaceful, safe, calm birthing experience. And there are things you can look for in the interview, and in the prenatal process. The problem for most families is that they blindly trust in their care provider. They don't question, and they don't do independent research. And the Midwives that I know of that have caused these kinds of birthing scenarios are extremely smooth with how they present things. It is almost a grooming technique. They tell you exactly what you want to hear. If you question things, they have a well-thought-out reason for why they will intervene in an otherwise healthy pregnancy, labor, or birth.
Red Flags in a Midwife:
*She has strict requirements for what you can and cannot do for your own birth. For example, she has the rule that you cannot birth on your own bed. You must birth in water (if she “lets” you actually birth in water – does not pull you out when you start pushing), or on the floor. This is controlling, not evidence based, and quite frankly – disturbing. There is nothing evidence based about not allowing a woman to birth in her own bed. A birthing woman should be able to birth wherever and however she chooses. Period.
*She becomes visibly nervous over things that are within normal or normal variation. A professional, experienced, and competent Midwife will make the family feel at ease, even if she internally feels nervous about something. This is the time for her to do research, collaborate with a peer, and then make a calm recommendation if evidence shows a reason to step in.
*She starts doing or wanting to do vaginal exams in the end of your pregnancy. Whatever reason she may give you, this is NOT evidence based. It holds no purpose whatsoever. It will not tell you when you will give birth, how well your labor will progress, or how baby is doing.
*You begin to feel like less of a peer with your Midwife, and more of a submissive party. You view your Midwife as an absolute authority figure who shouldn't be questioned, or one who will “disallow” you to do something. Your Midwife is your SUPPORT during a physiologic event in your life. Not your authority.
*She begins to come up with reasons why the things you may desire, or have planned for your birth, are not going to work out. For example – birthing in water. If she mentions that she “may have to pull you out” of the water for pushing, HUGE red flag. If she mentions that your partner or the person whom you have chosen to catch your baby can do so only with her help, huge red flag. There is nothing special about a Midwife's hands. She can sit back and carefully watch, and step in if there are any issues. Otherwise, she doesn't need to be involved.
*She answers, “We'll have to see how things are going...” in response to your desires for your birth.
And finally, for those of you who may be questioning what the heck happened during your birth...if your Midwife:
*Had you begin techniques to soften and prepare your cervix.
*Pressured you to begin intervention in your otherwise normal, healthy pregnancy.
*Began induction techniques because your waters released and labor didn't start yet, even though you and baby were not showing any signs or symptoms of infection.
*Was nervous during your labor – didn't seem like she was confident with what was occurring.
*Didn't allow you to birth anywhere but on the floor.
*Discouraged waterbirth, birth on your bed, or someone else from catching your baby. (including YOU!)
*Did multiple vaginal exams either without you asking, or because she had convinced you that they were necessary to assess progress and safety.
*Had you push before you felt the urge – your body will undeniably begin pushing on its own without any effort from you.
*Kept asking if you felt like pushing. A Midwife worth her salt knows that if you have to ask, mom definitely does not feel like pushing. Then mom wonders why she doesn't have to push yet. Is something wrong? When will I feel like pushing?
*Roughly applied perineal massage and stretching. If she told you that this is how to keep from tearing. If she told you that this was necessary. If she wouldn't stop when you mentioned how it hurt, was uncomfortable, or you didn't like it. Doing perineal stretching and massage is not evidence based. Research has shown that it does not reduce the risk of tearing, especially since the position that mom is in for this, is the LEAST optimal position for birth.
*Spoke to you in a controlling way. “Give me that baby!”, “You can either get down to business and REALLY push, and have this baby soon. Or you can keep going like this for hours.”
*Pulled on your placenta instead of waiting for the third stage to complete physiologically. By doing so, she put you at high risk for uterine and cervical prolapse, not to mention hemorrhage.
*Left shortly after your birth. A Midwife should remain in your home for a MINIMUM of two to three hours after birth. The first hour after birth is VITAL to mother-baby bonding, and should not be disrupted by newborn examination, birth certificate worksheets, or anything else if all has gone well. The time after birth is to assure that mom and baby are doing well, that they are snuggled into bed, that baby is nursing well, mom has eaten, and everything is cleaned up.
If she did any of the above, she did not practice in a safe, evidence based manner.
Overall, your Midwife should practice in a way that supports evidence based research and protocols. Not fear based, and definitely not control based. Women are perfectly capable of birthing out in the middle of the forest without anyone else around. They definitely do not need an overbearing, controlling Midwife to step in and make things unsafe.
Ask for the contact information of her last 3 clients. Ask them questions about their birth. Ask them about the demeanor of the Midwife during pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum. Ask about her transfer rate. Does she end up taking a lot of her clients in to the hospital? Call the hospital. Talk to the nurses. What is the reputation of the Midwife there?
If you have seen any of these red flags and feel it is too late to switch, it's not. Call around. Explain your situation. Make other arrangements for your birth, instead of continuing with these red flags, and possibly putting yourself, your baby, and your birth experience at risk.
Be careful with your choice in care provider. There are no do-overs in birth, and you will always remember the way that you were made to feel during your birthing process. Always remember that YOU are the one in charge of your birth. You hire your care provider – they work for you....not the other way around.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
When I Talk About ...
When I talk about and encourage birthing at home, it is not because I am crazy or anti-hospital for those that need it. It is because too many women end up unnecessarily having to heal from a major incision (both cesarean and episiotomy) , and too many babies are put at risk by the drugs and intervention commonly used in the hospital. That is fact, not opinion. For low-risk women, more complications occur in the hospital than they do at home. That is fact, not opinion. The maternity ward is the only space in the hospital where healthy, strong people willingly go to complete a physiological event in their life … surrounded by the sick, wounded, and dying. For low-risk women, you and your baby are at higher risk of developing a life-threatening infection in the hospital, or suffer the consequences of a severe medical error, than you are of having a life-threatening complication that cannot be handled at home. A recent study in Emerging Infectious Diseases found that hospital-acquired infections are the sixth leading cause of death nationally . An average of 195,000 people in the USA died due to potentially preventable, in-hospital medical errors in each of the years 2000, 2001 and 2002, according to a study of 37 million patient records that was released by HealthGrades. At least 44,000 people, and perhaps as many as 98,000 people die in hospitals each year as a result of medical errors that could have been prevented. I talk about these things because women walk away from the often traumatic hospital birth believing that it was their body that failed them and their baby – and sometimes put their baby at risk – rather than the very practices that are common in the hospital. Nearly all of the complication-ridden, scary hospital birth stories that I hear of were avoidable. They included misinformation, or outright lies, by their care provider followed by intervention in the physiologic process. Their body never failed them or their baby. Their care provider and the medical system did.
When I talk about keeping your sons whole, it is not because I have never been in the position to believe this to be best. In fact, one of my sons is circumcised. I talk about it because no one did so when we were in that position. No one encouraged us to look into the research that shows the risks – not only of death, but of permanent injury and disfigurement. No one encouraged us to do some Biblical research to find that for Christians, not only is circumcision not required, it is spoken against by Paul. No one provoked the thought process of circumcision being a irreversible, permanent alteration of someone else's body … even though that body “belongs” to us, so to speak. I often hear people say that circumcision is a personal decision for each parent. The one thing that is lost in this is that the baby has no choice in something that is done, rather brutally, to his body. He has no power to say no. He will only have to live with the results (and possible complications) for the rest of his life. For some men, this includes sexual dysfunction. God created the foreskin for a reason. It is not without function, it is not without purpose.
When I talk about breastfeeding being one of the most important choices you can make for your baby, that is fact, not opinion. Breast milk is literally the only perfect substance for your baby for the first year of his life. Baby needs nothing else in that first year to grow, develop, and be happy. Breast milk is the only substance that a baby's digestive system can efficiently break down. Babies are literally hardwired to breastfeed. They know how to get to the breast without anyone putting them there. They know how to nurse without anyone showing them how. This is especially true when a mother has given her baby the gift of a physiologic birth – no drugs or interruption in the bonding process immediately following birth. When I talk about breastfeeding it is not because I am being judgmental of those women who don't, it is because every baby has a birthright to breastfeed, and many are deprived of this right. Breast milk is not only a complete nutrition, it also completes the baby's immune system with antibodies that will help shield baby from illness. It is a powerful healing agent – capable of wiping out eye infections, ear infections, diaper rash, and even acne. Breastfeeding your baby helps protect against SIDS, reduces the risk of childhood obesity, raises IQ levels, and increases both jaw and eye health. And let's face it ladies – we lactate for a reason. It is our God-given super ability. It should be used, if nothing else but for the health of our children.
When I talk about co-sleeping, it is not because I am afraid a predator will come and snatch away baby if he is in the other room. It is because studies have shown that co-sleeping (even if just in the same room) reduces the rates of SIDS, aids nighttime feedings, and makes baby feel more secure. A baby spends 10 months inside of his mother, listening to the beating of her heart, the sound of her breathing and her voice, and is comforted knowing that she is there. Imagine going from this place of comfort and security, to being isolated from the one being you trust to keep you safe. Here's where I get controversial : I find it cruel to put baby in another room. A baby should, at the very least, be allowed the security of being in the same room with mom and dad. Hearing the familiar sounds, and knowing that they are right there in case of need. The best advice that I can give new parents is to put the money into a savings account that they would have spent on a nursery. Baby doesn't need a nursery – baby needs you. They are very simple that way, it is us adults that make it much more complicated than it needs to be.
When I talk about baby wearing, it is not because I am a hippie – though I do not take offense to this. Ha! It is because baby feels the most safe and secure when in the arms of someone who loves him. Instead of being constantly buckled into a car seat, baby can be up on your chest, listening to you breathe, your heart beat, and your voice. As baby gets older, he can see everything that you see. He can be at eye-level with people, allowed to interact. Baby also stays content much longer through a shopping trip, walk, or even housework. It has also been shown that babies who are worn rather than placed in a seat have much fewer incidences of skull deformities. Some babies who are commonly placed in a seat end up needing to wear a corrective helmet due to the flattening of the back of the skull. I also cringe and feel twinges in my back and arms when I see moms toting around the heavy car seat with baby buckled in. With the right carrier, you won't feel pain, and baby will be content. It really is about making things easier for mom, and making baby feel the most loved and secure!
When I talk about any of these things, I am not being judgmental. Do I get sad when I think about what is done to babies unknowingly by well-meaning parents? Every day. It seems that parents do more research about the type of car seat, stroller, crib, and accessories to buy than they do about the things that matter most. I would love to see this change. I was once that mom, so I understand. It is easy to do, because these are the things that our society values. Research the “things”, hand the responsibility of childbirth and baby rearing to your Obstetrician and Pediatrician. Don't feel bad if you choose drugs, don't feel bad if you choose formula. Don't feel bad if you choose to place your baby in another room upon returning home from the hospital. Don't feel bad if you choose to displace your child's needs in order to maintain yours. Our society places very little importance on what is vital to health and happiness in the little beings that we are given responsibility of. It places more importance on the happiness of adults. It is no coincidence that the doctors who tell you that there is nothing wrong with choosing drugs in childbirth, are paid by the very pharmaceutical companies who supply them. It is no coincidence that the ads that tell you not to feel guilty about choosing not to breastfeed are funded by the mutli-billion dollar formula industry. Our society is not fueled by the importance of mother-baby bonding as it should be. And women fall prey to this – sometimes happily – every single day.
My question is, at what cost?
When I talk about keeping your sons whole, it is not because I have never been in the position to believe this to be best. In fact, one of my sons is circumcised. I talk about it because no one did so when we were in that position. No one encouraged us to look into the research that shows the risks – not only of death, but of permanent injury and disfigurement. No one encouraged us to do some Biblical research to find that for Christians, not only is circumcision not required, it is spoken against by Paul. No one provoked the thought process of circumcision being a irreversible, permanent alteration of someone else's body … even though that body “belongs” to us, so to speak. I often hear people say that circumcision is a personal decision for each parent. The one thing that is lost in this is that the baby has no choice in something that is done, rather brutally, to his body. He has no power to say no. He will only have to live with the results (and possible complications) for the rest of his life. For some men, this includes sexual dysfunction. God created the foreskin for a reason. It is not without function, it is not without purpose.
When I talk about breastfeeding being one of the most important choices you can make for your baby, that is fact, not opinion. Breast milk is literally the only perfect substance for your baby for the first year of his life. Baby needs nothing else in that first year to grow, develop, and be happy. Breast milk is the only substance that a baby's digestive system can efficiently break down. Babies are literally hardwired to breastfeed. They know how to get to the breast without anyone putting them there. They know how to nurse without anyone showing them how. This is especially true when a mother has given her baby the gift of a physiologic birth – no drugs or interruption in the bonding process immediately following birth. When I talk about breastfeeding it is not because I am being judgmental of those women who don't, it is because every baby has a birthright to breastfeed, and many are deprived of this right. Breast milk is not only a complete nutrition, it also completes the baby's immune system with antibodies that will help shield baby from illness. It is a powerful healing agent – capable of wiping out eye infections, ear infections, diaper rash, and even acne. Breastfeeding your baby helps protect against SIDS, reduces the risk of childhood obesity, raises IQ levels, and increases both jaw and eye health. And let's face it ladies – we lactate for a reason. It is our God-given super ability. It should be used, if nothing else but for the health of our children.
When I talk about co-sleeping, it is not because I am afraid a predator will come and snatch away baby if he is in the other room. It is because studies have shown that co-sleeping (even if just in the same room) reduces the rates of SIDS, aids nighttime feedings, and makes baby feel more secure. A baby spends 10 months inside of his mother, listening to the beating of her heart, the sound of her breathing and her voice, and is comforted knowing that she is there. Imagine going from this place of comfort and security, to being isolated from the one being you trust to keep you safe. Here's where I get controversial : I find it cruel to put baby in another room. A baby should, at the very least, be allowed the security of being in the same room with mom and dad. Hearing the familiar sounds, and knowing that they are right there in case of need. The best advice that I can give new parents is to put the money into a savings account that they would have spent on a nursery. Baby doesn't need a nursery – baby needs you. They are very simple that way, it is us adults that make it much more complicated than it needs to be.
When I talk about baby wearing, it is not because I am a hippie – though I do not take offense to this. Ha! It is because baby feels the most safe and secure when in the arms of someone who loves him. Instead of being constantly buckled into a car seat, baby can be up on your chest, listening to you breathe, your heart beat, and your voice. As baby gets older, he can see everything that you see. He can be at eye-level with people, allowed to interact. Baby also stays content much longer through a shopping trip, walk, or even housework. It has also been shown that babies who are worn rather than placed in a seat have much fewer incidences of skull deformities. Some babies who are commonly placed in a seat end up needing to wear a corrective helmet due to the flattening of the back of the skull. I also cringe and feel twinges in my back and arms when I see moms toting around the heavy car seat with baby buckled in. With the right carrier, you won't feel pain, and baby will be content. It really is about making things easier for mom, and making baby feel the most loved and secure!
When I talk about any of these things, I am not being judgmental. Do I get sad when I think about what is done to babies unknowingly by well-meaning parents? Every day. It seems that parents do more research about the type of car seat, stroller, crib, and accessories to buy than they do about the things that matter most. I would love to see this change. I was once that mom, so I understand. It is easy to do, because these are the things that our society values. Research the “things”, hand the responsibility of childbirth and baby rearing to your Obstetrician and Pediatrician. Don't feel bad if you choose drugs, don't feel bad if you choose formula. Don't feel bad if you choose to place your baby in another room upon returning home from the hospital. Don't feel bad if you choose to displace your child's needs in order to maintain yours. Our society places very little importance on what is vital to health and happiness in the little beings that we are given responsibility of. It places more importance on the happiness of adults. It is no coincidence that the doctors who tell you that there is nothing wrong with choosing drugs in childbirth, are paid by the very pharmaceutical companies who supply them. It is no coincidence that the ads that tell you not to feel guilty about choosing not to breastfeed are funded by the mutli-billion dollar formula industry. Our society is not fueled by the importance of mother-baby bonding as it should be. And women fall prey to this – sometimes happily – every single day.
My question is, at what cost?
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
FREE Waterbirth Information Night
*~*Join us for a FREE Waterbirth Information Night on
Saturday, April 30th from 5-9pm in St. George!*~*
Have you ever wondered about the science behind giving birth in water? Have you heard myths about baby not being able to breathe, or gravity not helping in water?
Come with any and all questions!
Free food, giveaways, information packets and more ...
Visit the Events page for more information. Hope to see you there!
Find additional information and RSVP on our Facebook Event Page
Date: Saturday, April 30th
Time: 5:00-9:00pm
Location: Sage Hills Yoga Studio in St. George
Cost: FREE
Saturday, April 30th from 5-9pm in St. George!*~*
Have you ever wondered about the science behind giving birth in water? Have you heard myths about baby not being able to breathe, or gravity not helping in water?
Come with any and all questions!
Free food, giveaways, information packets and more ...
Visit the Events page for more information. Hope to see you there!
Find additional information and RSVP on our Facebook Event Page
Date: Saturday, April 30th
Time: 5:00-9:00pm
Location: Sage Hills Yoga Studio in St. George
Cost: FREE
Thursday, May 20, 2010
What Happens in a Home Birth?
Many times I have people wonder what's so different about a Home Birth. How is it different than giving birth in the hospital? How is it better?
I have listed my 10 reasons for giving birth at home before (added below), but it doesn't walk you through what a Home Birth can really be like, step by step.
First of all, my prenatals usually last, on average, an hour long. I use the time to really get to know the family. Birth is such an intimate time in a family's life. If I am going to be a part of it, I want them to feel like they really know me, and vice-versa. We not only go over the clinical diagnostic that are done at an OB office (Blood pressure, fundal height, baby's heartbeat, check urine), but we also go over nutrition (which is vital in preventing things in pregnancy), as well as the emotional well being of mom. I want to make sure that any concerns or questions are fully addressed in each and every prenatal. As we get closer to 40 weeks, we will go over any specific birth wishes (candle light, waterbirth set up, music, etc) and make sure that all supplies have been gathered and are ready. We speak about when to call me in labor, and what the family wants my roll to be. Am I catching, or is dad or a sibling? I have absolutely no problems with someone else catching. And unlike some Midwives, I do not require a "three handed catch". I trust that dad will catch baby perfectly fine without my help. ;)
There are some Midwives in the area who do not "allow" clients to birth on their own bed, or "allow" clients to birth in the water. I see this as a gross violation of personal choice in birth. I am happy to catch baby (if I am even the one catching!) in whatever place mom chooses for her birth. My desire is to see women take charge of their births, and not ask me for "permission" with what they can do with their body and baby. I am simply there as a lifeguard of sorts - to make sure that labor and birth progress safely.
At the last birth I attended, I was called in the afternoon to be given a "heads up" that mom was in labor. She and her husband were going to try to go on about the day as normal, and call me when things really picked up. I got a call back at about 10pm, with a request to come soon. I gathered my supplies and headed out. When I arrived, the birthing room (in this case, the bathroom) was such a beautiful scene. Mom was laboring in her tub. Lights off, candles lit around the tub and bathroom. Dad was playing his guitar and singing to mom. It was such a sweet setting. Mom was smiling, excited for the day to have arrived. With her permission, I checked on baby's heartrate, and asked how she was doing. (In between contractions, of course.) When I knew everything was good, I retreated downstairs, telling them to call if they needed anything. They had it all under control, and wanted the intimacy of the two of them laboring alone. I only went back up every so often to check on baby, and retreated back downstairs. I don't do any vaginal exams unless I feel there is something going off that needs this tool. And it isn't often that I feel this way. ;)
At about 2am, mom decided to try to get some rest. Contractions were slowing down and she was tired. We all fell asleep for a bit, until I was woken up at about 2:50 with sounds of her starting to push. They called me back upstairs. From the time that mom's body got serious about pushing, to the time baby was born, was a mere 6 minutes. She did BEAUTIFULLY! She caught her breath, gathered up her baby, and snuggled her. I made sure baby's color and tone were good, and then didn't touch baby again for an hour. Because baby was breathing perfectly, crying quietly, and her tone was great ... I didn't need to interfere with touching baby. This was mom and dad's time, and didn't need to be interrupted. An hour after birth, I did the full newborn exam and checked mom for tears. Not ONE! :) I made sure mom and baby were nursing without any problems, cleaned up everything from the birth, and left the new family to snuggle up together and sleep.
It may not sound like I did much. I usually don't. When a mom is healthy and has had a healthy, low risk pregnancy, the best thing to do is as little as possible during labor and birth. Interrupting the process continually can hinder the birth. Vaginal exams are unnecessary the vast majority of time, and should be avoided. Unless mom and dad need the extra support, they should be given as much time as desired to be alone. They created the baby alone, they should be given the opportunity to labor alone. Now, I have had families that have wanted me more involved. I have kept mom company, rubbed many backs, and have even slow-danced in labor with mom. I am happy to fill whatever roll the family wants me in - even if that means doing nothing at all.
This is the difference of Home Birth. There aren't unknown people (nurses) walking in and out of your room without permission. There are not beeping machines or an uncomfortable bed. There aren't any IVs, or limited spaces in which dad is allowed to go. There aren't any restrictions to how/where mom births, or how many/little people in attendance. All newborn exams are done on the bed with mom, not across the room or in a separate area. Baby never leaves mom's site (unless dad is showing baby off to family that may be in another room).
Birth should be a beautiful, intimate time for a family.
Ten Reasons (and there are many, many more than ten!) To Birth At Home:
10. You remain an autonomous woman throughout labor and birth. You're not treated as a sick person, you don't have to put on a hospital gown, and you're not told what to do.
9. Your husband/partner can take breaks as needed, and he's in his own home. He doesn't have to wander the halls to look for a vending machine or a cafeteria. He can even play video games. ( The big plus to my husband )
8. You can eat and drink as you wish. You are not restricted to ice chips, you are actually encouraged to eat healthy, protein-filled snacks and meals.
7. You don't have an IV. In a home birth, you drink as your source of hydration. There is no IV placed in your hand, and you are free from that cumbersome IV pole.
6. There are fewer complications at home. This is from multiple studies done over multiple decades. At home, fewer ( next to zero ) episiotomies are done. In the hospital, some have a nearly 80% episiotomy rate. At home, fewer babies need help breathing at birth ( 17 times LOWER risk at home ). At home, shoulder dystocia is less likely, even for those HUGE babies. ( even though the HUGE babies are not the ones at more risk for this, despite the myths ) At home, fewer moms hemorrhage. At home, fewer moms tear.
5. There is never a risk of mixing up babies. There is only one brand new baby at home ( well, 2 if twins ), and you know he's yours.
4. There is never a risk of mixing up medications. There are no medications, but even if there were there would be no possibility of getting someone else's meds, and dying.
3. There are no drugs. Now, this may seem like a bad thing to some women, but it's a good thing for EVERY baby. A baby born without drugs, is a healthier baby. You don't put baby at risk for drug-related conditions at birth, when there are no drugs to begin with. And without an epidural, you're not at risk for the myriad complications to both mom AND baby that come with one.
2. As many, or as few people can be in the room with you when you birth. From children to grandparents and anyone in between. And, anyone you wish can catch the baby. It makes birth what it should be - a family event.
1. You are giving your baby the greatest gift of all - a non-interventive, drug-free, peaceful, safe birth...and on your terms, not a surgeon's. There are no birth do-overs, so why not give your baby the best birth possible?
I have listed my 10 reasons for giving birth at home before (added below), but it doesn't walk you through what a Home Birth can really be like, step by step.
First of all, my prenatals usually last, on average, an hour long. I use the time to really get to know the family. Birth is such an intimate time in a family's life. If I am going to be a part of it, I want them to feel like they really know me, and vice-versa. We not only go over the clinical diagnostic that are done at an OB office (Blood pressure, fundal height, baby's heartbeat, check urine), but we also go over nutrition (which is vital in preventing things in pregnancy), as well as the emotional well being of mom. I want to make sure that any concerns or questions are fully addressed in each and every prenatal. As we get closer to 40 weeks, we will go over any specific birth wishes (candle light, waterbirth set up, music, etc) and make sure that all supplies have been gathered and are ready. We speak about when to call me in labor, and what the family wants my roll to be. Am I catching, or is dad or a sibling? I have absolutely no problems with someone else catching. And unlike some Midwives, I do not require a "three handed catch". I trust that dad will catch baby perfectly fine without my help. ;)
There are some Midwives in the area who do not "allow" clients to birth on their own bed, or "allow" clients to birth in the water. I see this as a gross violation of personal choice in birth. I am happy to catch baby (if I am even the one catching!) in whatever place mom chooses for her birth. My desire is to see women take charge of their births, and not ask me for "permission" with what they can do with their body and baby. I am simply there as a lifeguard of sorts - to make sure that labor and birth progress safely.
At the last birth I attended, I was called in the afternoon to be given a "heads up" that mom was in labor. She and her husband were going to try to go on about the day as normal, and call me when things really picked up. I got a call back at about 10pm, with a request to come soon. I gathered my supplies and headed out. When I arrived, the birthing room (in this case, the bathroom) was such a beautiful scene. Mom was laboring in her tub. Lights off, candles lit around the tub and bathroom. Dad was playing his guitar and singing to mom. It was such a sweet setting. Mom was smiling, excited for the day to have arrived. With her permission, I checked on baby's heartrate, and asked how she was doing. (In between contractions, of course.) When I knew everything was good, I retreated downstairs, telling them to call if they needed anything. They had it all under control, and wanted the intimacy of the two of them laboring alone. I only went back up every so often to check on baby, and retreated back downstairs. I don't do any vaginal exams unless I feel there is something going off that needs this tool. And it isn't often that I feel this way. ;)
At about 2am, mom decided to try to get some rest. Contractions were slowing down and she was tired. We all fell asleep for a bit, until I was woken up at about 2:50 with sounds of her starting to push. They called me back upstairs. From the time that mom's body got serious about pushing, to the time baby was born, was a mere 6 minutes. She did BEAUTIFULLY! She caught her breath, gathered up her baby, and snuggled her. I made sure baby's color and tone were good, and then didn't touch baby again for an hour. Because baby was breathing perfectly, crying quietly, and her tone was great ... I didn't need to interfere with touching baby. This was mom and dad's time, and didn't need to be interrupted. An hour after birth, I did the full newborn exam and checked mom for tears. Not ONE! :) I made sure mom and baby were nursing without any problems, cleaned up everything from the birth, and left the new family to snuggle up together and sleep.
It may not sound like I did much. I usually don't. When a mom is healthy and has had a healthy, low risk pregnancy, the best thing to do is as little as possible during labor and birth. Interrupting the process continually can hinder the birth. Vaginal exams are unnecessary the vast majority of time, and should be avoided. Unless mom and dad need the extra support, they should be given as much time as desired to be alone. They created the baby alone, they should be given the opportunity to labor alone. Now, I have had families that have wanted me more involved. I have kept mom company, rubbed many backs, and have even slow-danced in labor with mom. I am happy to fill whatever roll the family wants me in - even if that means doing nothing at all.
This is the difference of Home Birth. There aren't unknown people (nurses) walking in and out of your room without permission. There are not beeping machines or an uncomfortable bed. There aren't any IVs, or limited spaces in which dad is allowed to go. There aren't any restrictions to how/where mom births, or how many/little people in attendance. All newborn exams are done on the bed with mom, not across the room or in a separate area. Baby never leaves mom's site (unless dad is showing baby off to family that may be in another room).
Birth should be a beautiful, intimate time for a family.
Ten Reasons (and there are many, many more than ten!) To Birth At Home:
10. You remain an autonomous woman throughout labor and birth. You're not treated as a sick person, you don't have to put on a hospital gown, and you're not told what to do.
9. Your husband/partner can take breaks as needed, and he's in his own home. He doesn't have to wander the halls to look for a vending machine or a cafeteria. He can even play video games. ( The big plus to my husband )
8. You can eat and drink as you wish. You are not restricted to ice chips, you are actually encouraged to eat healthy, protein-filled snacks and meals.
7. You don't have an IV. In a home birth, you drink as your source of hydration. There is no IV placed in your hand, and you are free from that cumbersome IV pole.
6. There are fewer complications at home. This is from multiple studies done over multiple decades. At home, fewer ( next to zero ) episiotomies are done. In the hospital, some have a nearly 80% episiotomy rate. At home, fewer babies need help breathing at birth ( 17 times LOWER risk at home ). At home, shoulder dystocia is less likely, even for those HUGE babies. ( even though the HUGE babies are not the ones at more risk for this, despite the myths ) At home, fewer moms hemorrhage. At home, fewer moms tear.
5. There is never a risk of mixing up babies. There is only one brand new baby at home ( well, 2 if twins ), and you know he's yours.
4. There is never a risk of mixing up medications. There are no medications, but even if there were there would be no possibility of getting someone else's meds, and dying.
3. There are no drugs. Now, this may seem like a bad thing to some women, but it's a good thing for EVERY baby. A baby born without drugs, is a healthier baby. You don't put baby at risk for drug-related conditions at birth, when there are no drugs to begin with. And without an epidural, you're not at risk for the myriad complications to both mom AND baby that come with one.
2. As many, or as few people can be in the room with you when you birth. From children to grandparents and anyone in between. And, anyone you wish can catch the baby. It makes birth what it should be - a family event.
1. You are giving your baby the greatest gift of all - a non-interventive, drug-free, peaceful, safe birth...and on your terms, not a surgeon's. There are no birth do-overs, so why not give your baby the best birth possible?
Monday, November 16, 2009
My Baby's Birthday, and My HBAC Anniversary
Four years ago today, I gave birth to my youngest child Megan. It was a triumph on multiple levels, as I had a cesarean with my second child, and was told that I would surely kill Megan or die myself if I "attempted" a VBAC. You see, I am prone to having larger babies ( those of you who have met my husband understand, lol ), I was closed with a single layer of suturing instead of double after the cesarean, *and* I got pregnant with her less than a year after my cesarean. I was told that all of these lined up would mean certain uterine rupture. The OBs who had agreed to "let me try", all gave me a gestation limit of 40 weeks. They all said that it would be an automatic repeat cesarean if I got to that point with no signs of labor in sight. And if she was looking to be "too big", it would be an automatic repeat cesarean. Basically, if I looked at them funny it would be an automatic repeat cesarean. It took some women from ICAN ( International Cesarean Awareness Network ) to challenge by beliefs about childbirth, for me to even look in a different direction.
Like most people, I believed that doctors know best. After all, they go to medical school for years and years, and HAVE to know all there is to know. It took me a while to learn that Obstetricians are NOT trained in natural birth. Most go through their entire residency without seeing a single truly natural birth, with the exception of the mom who walks in ready to push ... and even then everyone freaks out. Obstetricians subscribe to the belief that childbirth is a pathology, not physiology. Now, there are certainly exceptions to the rule ... just as not everyone home birth Midwife is trusting of the birth process, or best for mom and baby. But it took me from the beginning of my pregnancy, until 33 weeks, of research to come to this epiphany.
If there is one thing that I can tell women who have had a cesarean, and were told that either their body failed them ( pelvis is too small, labor was too long, cervix didn't open enough, body got too tired ), or their baby failed them ( baby too big, baby didn't come soon enough ) ... is to research their butt off. Because it is so much easier for a care provider to tell a woman that her body didn't work right, rather than to admit that baby and body just weren't ready, or that he/she ( the care provider ) unnecessarily intervened in the process, causing it to spiral into the operating room.
At 33 weeks I started calling Midwives. I was turned down by many. I was starting to lose hope of giving my daughter a better birth, because I knew it wasn't going to happen in the hospital. I was down to one last name ... and thankfully, God had us matched perfectly. Brenda is an amazing Midwife who serves women who need it the most, especially when many others would turn them away. Without her, not only would I not have given Megan a better birth, but I also wouldn't be the Midwife I am today.
I will premise my birth story by saying that four years ago, I wasn't where I am now in my beliefs about birth. There are certainly a few things that I would do differently. I do NOT advocate castor oil inductions by any means. Nor do I advocate artificial rupture of membranes. At the time, having my midwife break my water was a blessing. I was starting to pass out. But in my own practice, I have not yet found a valid reason to break the bag of waters ... leaving things to occur naturally in their own timing.
Now, without further ado, Megan's birth story. My triumphant ( and HARD! ) HBAC.
Megan Ohana Fiscer
November 16, 2005
10 lbs 10 ozs, 23" long
I had been doing the yucky prodromal labor think for what felt like forever. I had almost 6 weeks of contractions that would get so regular and start getting more intense, that I was sure it was "it" a few times. Even had my poor midwife drive out here in the middle of the night which ended up being for nothing. I had regular contractions all through the night on the 10th and called Brenda at about 4am. She came and when she checked me at 8:30 or so, I was a mere 2cm and not effaced much. Megan was also floating high still. I was crushed. Jeramy had the day off and since his grandmother had come up to help with the kids, we decided to go walking that evening to see if it would help anything. I had horrible pressure on my cervix and ended up passing some bloody show. Nothing more though.
The pressure on my cervix changed to a stabbing pain anytime I was doing anything other than sitting, so on Monday the 14th we decided to go walk around a shopping center that is a mile around. The pain was awful, but I wasn't having any contractions at all. I asked Jeramy to stay home on Tuesday because of the pain, and to help around the house. That evening I decided to call Brenda to see if we could try castor oil in the morning. ( Added note: At the point of Megan’s birth, I wasn’t at the point where I really believed that birth was best left alone … I still had a LOT to learn! ) The pain was really awful, and I was having an incredibly hard time getting around after my kids and doing much of anything. I was also a week past my due date and more than a little miserable ( I know, bad reason to try castor oil...but I felt I couldn't take it anymore ).
Right after I got the go ahead from her for the cocktail in the morning, I used the restroom and had at least 3 tissues full of mucous. I called her back to give her the heads up, as I went into labor the same night I passed mucous like that with Noah. I decided to go to Walmart to get some laundry detergent and some needed things and then came home and took a shower. I had been having very small contractions on and off all day, but not much of anything. After the shower, I began having really strong contractions all of a sudden. I went in to lay down to see if they were staying...and they only got stronger. Stronger to the point where when Jeramy checked on me I was in tears. I said it was time to call Brenda. He wanted me to make sure it was really time so she didn't come out again for nothing. I assured him it was! Jeramy filled up the tub, which I went back and forth from because I kept getting too warm. She got here at about 1 or so...and by that time I had already told Jeramy I wasn't sure I could do it. The contractions were very intense and I couldn't imagine it just getting worse. I was also afraid of how far I had progressed...not wanting to hear 3cm or so. When Brenda checked me I was happy to find myself at 5, and she could actually stretch me to 6cm. I tried getting back into the tub, but only ended up getting too hot again. I decided to go lie down in bed to try to cope with everything. I did okay for a while, until things got REALLY intense, at which point I would lose it when a contraction peaked and start shaking my head hard saying I couldn't do it. Brenda was amazing in helping me relax through some of them, reminding me to relax my entire body and even asked if she could pray over me...which I welcomed gladly. Back labor was awful, and my poor husband tried applying counter pressure when I almost felt like I jumped out of my skin...it didn't feel good at all, it only intensified things. I got up and labored on the toilet for a bit which felt good for a while, but then let out a grunt when it felt good to bear down. This alarmed Brenda, and she and Jeramy got the bed prepared. They got the shower liner under the sheet and the chux pads out on the bed. She decided to check me again to see if I was complete, but I was only at 7-8cm. The pressure was awful and I felt like I was having one big contraction and was starting to feel like I was going to pass out, instead of breaks in between. After lots of discussion, we decided to go ahead and break my water, and that helped TREMENDOUSLY. I was able to relax and sleep in between contractions somehow. By this point I had gotten REALLY vocal and was having a hard time relaxing during contractions at all. I started feeling pushy again, and when checked I was complete with just a little lip. Brenda said if I was feeling the urge to push, she could help move the lip out of the way. I began pushing and that became an exhausting experience. When I would push, burning pain would radiate through my hips. It felt amazing once I was really pushing effectively, but at the beginning of each push it hurt horribly. I was really becoming exhausted, and Brenda had me change to a side-lying position to push which seemed to be helping, but still not as effective. She suggested the toilet again, but I didn't think I could get up to it. So I rolled over and got on hands and knees and tried that way. Now I was REALLY screaming that I couldn't do it...I was too tired. Jeramy and Brenda kept reassuring me that I could, but I really needed to push. I was the only one that could get her out, and I needed to do it now. I ended up pushing more in a sitting/squatting position and even bit poor Jeramy's hand during one big push. Megan started crowning and I had never felt a burning sensation like that in my life. I was sure everything was going to split wide open. I remember the feeling of Brenda stretching me to keep me from tearing, hurting pretty badly as well. But getting her head out was the hardest. Brenda kept telling me I needed to push through the burning and get her out now, as she had been in that spot for a while and her head was kind of stuck behind my pubic bone. Megan was also going back up in between pushes because I couldn't hold it. So I pushed through the burning and felt her head come out, and then very quickly the rest of her slid right out. It was an amazing feeling.
I relaxed my entire body, still in that squatting position, onto the pillows in front of me. My hair was soaked with sweat and I was exhausted beyond belief, and also incredibly relieved that she was out. I smiled up at my husband and told him that I could feel her kicking against my thighs. They had me roll over, and Jeramy got to hand her to me, but had to be careful since the cord was short. She was beautiful. The first thing I noticed was how long her fingers were. She was so calm and alert. Jeramy was beaming and told me I did it and how proud he was of me. We waited for the cord to stop pulsating and then Brenda clamped and Jeramy cut. I spent some time admiring her, and then Jeramy took Megan out to the livingroom to meet her brother and sister and great grandma so that I could deliver the placenta. It wasn't hard at all, I just pushed and it came out easily. That also felt really good to get out. I was still burning quite a bit, but was laying back and relaxing knowing that the hard work was done.
Jeramy came back in with Megan, and I latched her on to nurse. She latched on immediately and did so very well. I asked if we could weigh her and get measurements...I was so anxious to see! When Megan was born, Brenda said she thought she was a good 8 1/2-9 lbs. Well, Jeramy was the one to weigh her, and he got wide eyed and asked Brenda if what he was seeing was correct. She looked at the scale and got the same look on her face! He then announced 10 lbs 10 ounces and I couldn't believe it. Furthermore, I couldn't believe when Brenda measured her and she was 23 inches long. I knew my belly had been huge, but never imagined she'd come near to 11 pounds. Jeramy went out and announced it to his grandma, who couldn't believe it either.
Brenda checked me for tears, and said it looked like I had one up towards my labia, and then one on my perenium and she could sew me up after I got cleaned up and showered. I tried twice to get up and shower, but while sitting on the toilet I almost passed out after the burning from peeing. So I was sent back to bed until I could get some fluids in and some toast. When I did take a quick shower and get back into bed a few hours after Megan was born, Brenda checked me to find that by me laying with legs together for so long, I was already starting to heal naturally. She had to really look for the tear she found before on my perenium, and she said there were only a few slits up towards my labia from the skin stretching, and those would heal on their own. As for the perenium, she numbed me, which didn't take too well...and I cried through the single stitch she put in. She said one would be enough along with me keeping my legs closed for a while. I was relieved not to have to endure another stitch. She gave me my instructions and a big hug and kiss and left us to our new family.
Recovery has been amazingly fast in comparison to both my previous vaginal birth, and the cesarean. It's amazing how things work perfectly when done naturally. My system didn't have to get over any drugs being pumped into me, or soreness from an episiotomy and stitches. Compared to a lot of homebirth stories I have read, I didn't feel mine went as smoothly, and I definitely didn't cry out that I would do it again after all was said and done...but it WAS beautiful. It was beautiful that my baby was handled gently at birth, not rubbed down and tagged with plastic and handed from one unfamiliar hand to another. She was treated peacefully and gently, and for that alone I would go through the pain all over again.
Like most people, I believed that doctors know best. After all, they go to medical school for years and years, and HAVE to know all there is to know. It took me a while to learn that Obstetricians are NOT trained in natural birth. Most go through their entire residency without seeing a single truly natural birth, with the exception of the mom who walks in ready to push ... and even then everyone freaks out. Obstetricians subscribe to the belief that childbirth is a pathology, not physiology. Now, there are certainly exceptions to the rule ... just as not everyone home birth Midwife is trusting of the birth process, or best for mom and baby. But it took me from the beginning of my pregnancy, until 33 weeks, of research to come to this epiphany.
If there is one thing that I can tell women who have had a cesarean, and were told that either their body failed them ( pelvis is too small, labor was too long, cervix didn't open enough, body got too tired ), or their baby failed them ( baby too big, baby didn't come soon enough ) ... is to research their butt off. Because it is so much easier for a care provider to tell a woman that her body didn't work right, rather than to admit that baby and body just weren't ready, or that he/she ( the care provider ) unnecessarily intervened in the process, causing it to spiral into the operating room.
At 33 weeks I started calling Midwives. I was turned down by many. I was starting to lose hope of giving my daughter a better birth, because I knew it wasn't going to happen in the hospital. I was down to one last name ... and thankfully, God had us matched perfectly. Brenda is an amazing Midwife who serves women who need it the most, especially when many others would turn them away. Without her, not only would I not have given Megan a better birth, but I also wouldn't be the Midwife I am today.
I will premise my birth story by saying that four years ago, I wasn't where I am now in my beliefs about birth. There are certainly a few things that I would do differently. I do NOT advocate castor oil inductions by any means. Nor do I advocate artificial rupture of membranes. At the time, having my midwife break my water was a blessing. I was starting to pass out. But in my own practice, I have not yet found a valid reason to break the bag of waters ... leaving things to occur naturally in their own timing.
Now, without further ado, Megan's birth story. My triumphant ( and HARD! ) HBAC.
Megan Ohana Fiscer
November 16, 2005
10 lbs 10 ozs, 23" long
I had been doing the yucky prodromal labor think for what felt like forever. I had almost 6 weeks of contractions that would get so regular and start getting more intense, that I was sure it was "it" a few times. Even had my poor midwife drive out here in the middle of the night which ended up being for nothing. I had regular contractions all through the night on the 10th and called Brenda at about 4am. She came and when she checked me at 8:30 or so, I was a mere 2cm and not effaced much. Megan was also floating high still. I was crushed. Jeramy had the day off and since his grandmother had come up to help with the kids, we decided to go walking that evening to see if it would help anything. I had horrible pressure on my cervix and ended up passing some bloody show. Nothing more though.
The pressure on my cervix changed to a stabbing pain anytime I was doing anything other than sitting, so on Monday the 14th we decided to go walk around a shopping center that is a mile around. The pain was awful, but I wasn't having any contractions at all. I asked Jeramy to stay home on Tuesday because of the pain, and to help around the house. That evening I decided to call Brenda to see if we could try castor oil in the morning. ( Added note: At the point of Megan’s birth, I wasn’t at the point where I really believed that birth was best left alone … I still had a LOT to learn! ) The pain was really awful, and I was having an incredibly hard time getting around after my kids and doing much of anything. I was also a week past my due date and more than a little miserable ( I know, bad reason to try castor oil...but I felt I couldn't take it anymore ).
Right after I got the go ahead from her for the cocktail in the morning, I used the restroom and had at least 3 tissues full of mucous. I called her back to give her the heads up, as I went into labor the same night I passed mucous like that with Noah. I decided to go to Walmart to get some laundry detergent and some needed things and then came home and took a shower. I had been having very small contractions on and off all day, but not much of anything. After the shower, I began having really strong contractions all of a sudden. I went in to lay down to see if they were staying...and they only got stronger. Stronger to the point where when Jeramy checked on me I was in tears. I said it was time to call Brenda. He wanted me to make sure it was really time so she didn't come out again for nothing. I assured him it was! Jeramy filled up the tub, which I went back and forth from because I kept getting too warm. She got here at about 1 or so...and by that time I had already told Jeramy I wasn't sure I could do it. The contractions were very intense and I couldn't imagine it just getting worse. I was also afraid of how far I had progressed...not wanting to hear 3cm or so. When Brenda checked me I was happy to find myself at 5, and she could actually stretch me to 6cm. I tried getting back into the tub, but only ended up getting too hot again. I decided to go lie down in bed to try to cope with everything. I did okay for a while, until things got REALLY intense, at which point I would lose it when a contraction peaked and start shaking my head hard saying I couldn't do it. Brenda was amazing in helping me relax through some of them, reminding me to relax my entire body and even asked if she could pray over me...which I welcomed gladly. Back labor was awful, and my poor husband tried applying counter pressure when I almost felt like I jumped out of my skin...it didn't feel good at all, it only intensified things. I got up and labored on the toilet for a bit which felt good for a while, but then let out a grunt when it felt good to bear down. This alarmed Brenda, and she and Jeramy got the bed prepared. They got the shower liner under the sheet and the chux pads out on the bed. She decided to check me again to see if I was complete, but I was only at 7-8cm. The pressure was awful and I felt like I was having one big contraction and was starting to feel like I was going to pass out, instead of breaks in between. After lots of discussion, we decided to go ahead and break my water, and that helped TREMENDOUSLY. I was able to relax and sleep in between contractions somehow. By this point I had gotten REALLY vocal and was having a hard time relaxing during contractions at all. I started feeling pushy again, and when checked I was complete with just a little lip. Brenda said if I was feeling the urge to push, she could help move the lip out of the way. I began pushing and that became an exhausting experience. When I would push, burning pain would radiate through my hips. It felt amazing once I was really pushing effectively, but at the beginning of each push it hurt horribly. I was really becoming exhausted, and Brenda had me change to a side-lying position to push which seemed to be helping, but still not as effective. She suggested the toilet again, but I didn't think I could get up to it. So I rolled over and got on hands and knees and tried that way. Now I was REALLY screaming that I couldn't do it...I was too tired. Jeramy and Brenda kept reassuring me that I could, but I really needed to push. I was the only one that could get her out, and I needed to do it now. I ended up pushing more in a sitting/squatting position and even bit poor Jeramy's hand during one big push. Megan started crowning and I had never felt a burning sensation like that in my life. I was sure everything was going to split wide open. I remember the feeling of Brenda stretching me to keep me from tearing, hurting pretty badly as well. But getting her head out was the hardest. Brenda kept telling me I needed to push through the burning and get her out now, as she had been in that spot for a while and her head was kind of stuck behind my pubic bone. Megan was also going back up in between pushes because I couldn't hold it. So I pushed through the burning and felt her head come out, and then very quickly the rest of her slid right out. It was an amazing feeling.
I relaxed my entire body, still in that squatting position, onto the pillows in front of me. My hair was soaked with sweat and I was exhausted beyond belief, and also incredibly relieved that she was out. I smiled up at my husband and told him that I could feel her kicking against my thighs. They had me roll over, and Jeramy got to hand her to me, but had to be careful since the cord was short. She was beautiful. The first thing I noticed was how long her fingers were. She was so calm and alert. Jeramy was beaming and told me I did it and how proud he was of me. We waited for the cord to stop pulsating and then Brenda clamped and Jeramy cut. I spent some time admiring her, and then Jeramy took Megan out to the livingroom to meet her brother and sister and great grandma so that I could deliver the placenta. It wasn't hard at all, I just pushed and it came out easily. That also felt really good to get out. I was still burning quite a bit, but was laying back and relaxing knowing that the hard work was done.
Jeramy came back in with Megan, and I latched her on to nurse. She latched on immediately and did so very well. I asked if we could weigh her and get measurements...I was so anxious to see! When Megan was born, Brenda said she thought she was a good 8 1/2-9 lbs. Well, Jeramy was the one to weigh her, and he got wide eyed and asked Brenda if what he was seeing was correct. She looked at the scale and got the same look on her face! He then announced 10 lbs 10 ounces and I couldn't believe it. Furthermore, I couldn't believe when Brenda measured her and she was 23 inches long. I knew my belly had been huge, but never imagined she'd come near to 11 pounds. Jeramy went out and announced it to his grandma, who couldn't believe it either.
Brenda checked me for tears, and said it looked like I had one up towards my labia, and then one on my perenium and she could sew me up after I got cleaned up and showered. I tried twice to get up and shower, but while sitting on the toilet I almost passed out after the burning from peeing. So I was sent back to bed until I could get some fluids in and some toast. When I did take a quick shower and get back into bed a few hours after Megan was born, Brenda checked me to find that by me laying with legs together for so long, I was already starting to heal naturally. She had to really look for the tear she found before on my perenium, and she said there were only a few slits up towards my labia from the skin stretching, and those would heal on their own. As for the perenium, she numbed me, which didn't take too well...and I cried through the single stitch she put in. She said one would be enough along with me keeping my legs closed for a while. I was relieved not to have to endure another stitch. She gave me my instructions and a big hug and kiss and left us to our new family.
Recovery has been amazingly fast in comparison to both my previous vaginal birth, and the cesarean. It's amazing how things work perfectly when done naturally. My system didn't have to get over any drugs being pumped into me, or soreness from an episiotomy and stitches. Compared to a lot of homebirth stories I have read, I didn't feel mine went as smoothly, and I definitely didn't cry out that I would do it again after all was said and done...but it WAS beautiful. It was beautiful that my baby was handled gently at birth, not rubbed down and tagged with plastic and handed from one unfamiliar hand to another. She was treated peacefully and gently, and for that alone I would go through the pain all over again.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Free in Southern Utah - Midwife Open House and Business of Being Born Screening
Meet the Midwife Open House and Film Screening!
Bring your girlfriends, neighbors, pregnant ( or hoping to be ) friends! Hope to see you there!
Christine Fiscer - Traditional Midwife
www.joyfulbirthservices.com
(Please excuse the kinks - still working some out )
I am a new Midwife to Utah, originally from California. I will be hosting an open house on Saturday, August 8th at 6pm. Business of Being Born showing at 7:30pm.
*Watch Ricki Lake's birth documentary - The Business of Being Born
*Free initial consultations
*Q&A about Home Birth, Waterbirth, VBAC, Twins
*Raffle for a handmade Mei Tai Baby Carrier
I am located in Hurricane, just 2 1/2 miles from I15 on State Route 9. Email JoyfulBirthServices@gmail.com, or call 435-216-5411 for additional information and directions. **Please RSVP if you plan on attending.**
Bring your girlfriends, neighbors, pregnant ( or hoping to be ) friends! Hope to see you there!
Christine Fiscer - Traditional Midwife
www.joyfulbirthservices.com
(Please excuse the kinks - still working some out )
I am a new Midwife to Utah, originally from California. I will be hosting an open house on Saturday, August 8th at 6pm. Business of Being Born showing at 7:30pm.
*Watch Ricki Lake's birth documentary - The Business of Being Born
*Free initial consultations
*Q&A about Home Birth, Waterbirth, VBAC, Twins
*Raffle for a handmade Mei Tai Baby Carrier
I am located in Hurricane, just 2 1/2 miles from I15 on State Route 9. Email JoyfulBirthServices@gmail.com, or call 435-216-5411 for additional information and directions. **Please RSVP if you plan on attending.**
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
From Home Birth to Interventions?
My heart drops into a big ball into my stomach when I hear of women allowing unnecessary intervention in pregnancy - but especially more so when I hear that they allow it from a home birth midwife. Women seem to want to trust birth, and want a safe and healthy birth for their baby, but then allow some of the most arbitrary and unnecessary intervention, not realizing that it can completely shape and transform the rest of their pregnancy.
What are the top two interventions I see with homebirthers?
Routine Vaginal Exams
Why is this done, especially by home birth midwives, starting as early as 36 weeks? Does it make the baby come sooner? Does the body not know what to do unless a midwife has a hand inside of her client's vagina and cervix? Do these midwives explain the risk of infection, accidental ( or purposeful, sadly ) membrane strip or artificial rupture of membranes, disappointment when mom "hasn't made any progress", false hope of a labor soon to come? If the midwife is not explaining these risks, then her clients are NOT giving informed consent. It blows me away when women allow this. It saddens me. It makes me wonder just what their midwife is telling them, or why a mom requests this.
"Natural" Induction
Ladies, there is NO such thing as a natural induction. Either you are trying to force labor to begin before it is happening naturally, or you are not. There's really no in between. Having a healthy sex life in the end of pregnancy is wonderful! But if the goal is to get it done as many times as possible in hopes of causing the cervix to ripen...you may be sorely disappointed. A ripening cervix does NOT guarantee a close labor day. It simply means that it is ripening. There is a lot more to the hormonal dance of labor preparation than a ripening cervix. Doing spicy foods may do nothing more than irritate your uterus, cause you to have diarrhea and heartburn. Pineapple needs to be *fresh* pineapple. You have no idea how many women try the out of the can stuff. LOL And even then, it does *nothing* unless your body is ready anyway....so why not wait until labor starts naturally? Nipple stimulation does indeed release oxytocin in the body, but so does some good love from your spouse. A nice massage, a cuddle and nice long kiss. This releases oxytocin as well. Why aren't more couples cuddling, instead of playing with nipples? Evening Primrose Oil *can* help to soften the cervix, but nothing more.
The problem with trying to do things to induce labor, is that it often will not work. When it doesn't work, you've wasted precious last days/weeks of your pregnancy that you could have been simply enjoying with your partner, instead of stressing out over trying to get labor to begin. Or even if not stressing, *thinking* about getting labor going. Your body knows what to do, and knows exactly the right time to do it in. I won't even go into castor oil induction, as I believe this is highly irresponsible and a waste of time unless it's a true last ditch effort. Inducing labor, no matter what label you want to put on it, is putting yourself before the safety and health of your baby...unless of course it is a TRUE medically warranted induction ( example - pre eclampsia, PIH, etc ).
Women, if you've chosen a home birth, you are in a low-risk pregnancy. If you are in a low-risk, normal pregnancy...why are you allowing intervention? It drove me crazy when I watched Pregnant In America, and saw them advocate for normalcy in pregnancy, believing in birth and trusting the body...and then the producer's wife having her midwife strip her membranes at a mere few days after 40 weeks. I was BAFFLED! How can you claim to be a NATURAL pregnancy and labor advocate, if you allow unnecessary induction techniques? There was no problem. She was simply a few days past 40 weeks. Not even to the high end of the normal gestation period, but smack dab in the middle! It was her first baby, and statistically first time moms will go about 8 days past their EDD, IF ALLOWED TO. :sigh:
In our society, we rush through so many things. We want to rush to get to the end of pregnancy, we want to rush to get into labor, we want to rush to birth the baby. We want to rush to see the baby sit up, eat solid food, crawl, talk, walk...
And when you get to the point of understanding how quickly it all goes by, it's too late to take it back.
Choose wisely, for some decisions are irreversible.
What are the top two interventions I see with homebirthers?
Routine Vaginal Exams
Why is this done, especially by home birth midwives, starting as early as 36 weeks? Does it make the baby come sooner? Does the body not know what to do unless a midwife has a hand inside of her client's vagina and cervix? Do these midwives explain the risk of infection, accidental ( or purposeful, sadly ) membrane strip or artificial rupture of membranes, disappointment when mom "hasn't made any progress", false hope of a labor soon to come? If the midwife is not explaining these risks, then her clients are NOT giving informed consent. It blows me away when women allow this. It saddens me. It makes me wonder just what their midwife is telling them, or why a mom requests this.
"Natural" Induction
Ladies, there is NO such thing as a natural induction. Either you are trying to force labor to begin before it is happening naturally, or you are not. There's really no in between. Having a healthy sex life in the end of pregnancy is wonderful! But if the goal is to get it done as many times as possible in hopes of causing the cervix to ripen...you may be sorely disappointed. A ripening cervix does NOT guarantee a close labor day. It simply means that it is ripening. There is a lot more to the hormonal dance of labor preparation than a ripening cervix. Doing spicy foods may do nothing more than irritate your uterus, cause you to have diarrhea and heartburn. Pineapple needs to be *fresh* pineapple. You have no idea how many women try the out of the can stuff. LOL And even then, it does *nothing* unless your body is ready anyway....so why not wait until labor starts naturally? Nipple stimulation does indeed release oxytocin in the body, but so does some good love from your spouse. A nice massage, a cuddle and nice long kiss. This releases oxytocin as well. Why aren't more couples cuddling, instead of playing with nipples? Evening Primrose Oil *can* help to soften the cervix, but nothing more.
The problem with trying to do things to induce labor, is that it often will not work. When it doesn't work, you've wasted precious last days/weeks of your pregnancy that you could have been simply enjoying with your partner, instead of stressing out over trying to get labor to begin. Or even if not stressing, *thinking* about getting labor going. Your body knows what to do, and knows exactly the right time to do it in. I won't even go into castor oil induction, as I believe this is highly irresponsible and a waste of time unless it's a true last ditch effort. Inducing labor, no matter what label you want to put on it, is putting yourself before the safety and health of your baby...unless of course it is a TRUE medically warranted induction ( example - pre eclampsia, PIH, etc ).
Women, if you've chosen a home birth, you are in a low-risk pregnancy. If you are in a low-risk, normal pregnancy...why are you allowing intervention? It drove me crazy when I watched Pregnant In America, and saw them advocate for normalcy in pregnancy, believing in birth and trusting the body...and then the producer's wife having her midwife strip her membranes at a mere few days after 40 weeks. I was BAFFLED! How can you claim to be a NATURAL pregnancy and labor advocate, if you allow unnecessary induction techniques? There was no problem. She was simply a few days past 40 weeks. Not even to the high end of the normal gestation period, but smack dab in the middle! It was her first baby, and statistically first time moms will go about 8 days past their EDD, IF ALLOWED TO. :sigh:
In our society, we rush through so many things. We want to rush to get to the end of pregnancy, we want to rush to get into labor, we want to rush to birth the baby. We want to rush to see the baby sit up, eat solid food, crawl, talk, walk...
And when you get to the point of understanding how quickly it all goes by, it's too late to take it back.
Choose wisely, for some decisions are irreversible.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Baby Abductions - Another Reason to Birth at Home!
(It was brought to my attention that I forgot the link to the news story ( Thanks Laura! ). That's what I get for trying to do a blog post while tired with a day-long headache. )
Click HERE for story on MSNBC
You'd think that babies being abducted from hi-tech hospitals with lo-jack type security bracelets, security checkpoints, and nurses everywhere isn't possible, right?
Wrong.
Just this past Friday, a baby was abducted from a hospital in Santa Barbara, just 5 hours after the baby boy was born.
Wait. Where the hell were the parents when this baby was 5 hours old? Was baby in the nursery alone? Why wasn't baby with mom, where he should have been? Why wasn't baby being held, nursed, loved?
By the time that they caught up with the abductor, she had gotten all the way to Santa Maria...roughly an hour and a half north of Santa Barbara. The baby, at just 5 hours old, was carried out of the hospital that is supposed to be a "safety net" for myriad things as far as labor, pregnancy, birth ( unless you know better, that is! LOL )...and yet, a baby was carried out of it.
This is why home birth keeps looking better and better. You don't get pressured into unnecessary intervention that will likely lead to a cesarean ( hell, how do you think we got to a 31+% cesarean rate, and that's only nationwide. Most hospitals have higher rates! ), or a baby in the NICU, or a mom who needs post delivery surgery. You aren't led to believe that you have to agree to the "mandatory" separation period of 1-4 hours so that the baby can be "monitored".
When a baby is born at home, there is no confusion over possibly mixed-up babies. There is no possibility of someone walking out with your baby, and you not knowing. There is NO separation. Babies should never be separated from mommy after birth. Unless there is a life-threatening condition, baby should never be separated. Baby should be not only *with* mom, but ON mom. Hearing her voice, her heart beat, her breathing rythm, and being warmed by her body and nourished by her breast.
And yet, people think that us home birthers are crazy. Ha! With the way that hospital births are going anymore, I'm more scared for the majority, than for us in the minority who choose to birth at home. We are at a dramatically lower risk of many of the things that go wrong in the hospital...the iatrogenic.
Click HERE for story on MSNBC
You'd think that babies being abducted from hi-tech hospitals with lo-jack type security bracelets, security checkpoints, and nurses everywhere isn't possible, right?
Wrong.
Just this past Friday, a baby was abducted from a hospital in Santa Barbara, just 5 hours after the baby boy was born.
Wait. Where the hell were the parents when this baby was 5 hours old? Was baby in the nursery alone? Why wasn't baby with mom, where he should have been? Why wasn't baby being held, nursed, loved?
By the time that they caught up with the abductor, she had gotten all the way to Santa Maria...roughly an hour and a half north of Santa Barbara. The baby, at just 5 hours old, was carried out of the hospital that is supposed to be a "safety net" for myriad things as far as labor, pregnancy, birth ( unless you know better, that is! LOL )...and yet, a baby was carried out of it.
This is why home birth keeps looking better and better. You don't get pressured into unnecessary intervention that will likely lead to a cesarean ( hell, how do you think we got to a 31+% cesarean rate, and that's only nationwide. Most hospitals have higher rates! ), or a baby in the NICU, or a mom who needs post delivery surgery. You aren't led to believe that you have to agree to the "mandatory" separation period of 1-4 hours so that the baby can be "monitored".
When a baby is born at home, there is no confusion over possibly mixed-up babies. There is no possibility of someone walking out with your baby, and you not knowing. There is NO separation. Babies should never be separated from mommy after birth. Unless there is a life-threatening condition, baby should never be separated. Baby should be not only *with* mom, but ON mom. Hearing her voice, her heart beat, her breathing rythm, and being warmed by her body and nourished by her breast.
And yet, people think that us home birthers are crazy. Ha! With the way that hospital births are going anymore, I'm more scared for the majority, than for us in the minority who choose to birth at home. We are at a dramatically lower risk of many of the things that go wrong in the hospital...the iatrogenic.
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