October, 2009

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“[We] are very concerned about the welfare and health of your unborn child…”

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

no Bradley births

This sign speaks for itself about the biases of natural childbirth, home births, etc.  And what is it based on?

What I don’t get is how a medical center wants to deny a woman to exercise, get good nutrition, relax during labor, breathe normally and educate themselves?  Those are the tools that a Bradley Method® delivery utilizes so what “method” don’t they want to be a part of?

Oh, hmm, maybe the education side of it?  Do the doctors really want women in the dark about their own care?  They don’t want us to be advocates for ourselves or our babies?  Can’t we challenge what we are being told?  I 100% support medical professionals and all the good they can do in emergency care and with the furthering of life and quality of life but we must remember pregnancy is not a disease, you are not sick and unless there are complications, your body does all the work, not a baby catcher.

Please show me a doctor who is not human, who doesn’t make mistakes, who has undivided attention and time for me and I will do whatever they tell me without question…

Additionally, if you ever see a sign like this (it was in a Utah office), run quickly out of there, do not pass go, do not let them “arrange for the transfer of your care” and tell everyone you know not to go their for medical care.

Posted in In the News, Newborn Care | 2 Responses »
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Double D-uty

Tuesday, October 20th, 2009

rib6This month is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and as staggering as the statistics are, we all probably know someone who has been affected by breast cancer. 

Breast cancer is still the second most lethal cancer in women, second to lung cancer and about 40,410 women in the United States will die from breast cancer this year.  There have been some great medical strides and new treatments for those diagnosed which have improved survival rates.  The 5-year survival rate for women diagnosed with cancer is 80% and about 88% of women diagnosed with breast cancer will survive at least 10 years.  Early detection is key.

So what can you do to help reduce the incidence of breast cancer?  BREASTFEED YOUR BABY!

Breastfeeding your baby is not only a wonderful gift to him, but it can help to save your life.  The benefits to mother and baby are innumerable but one of the latest discovered benefits is that breastfeeding can reduce your risk of breast cancer (by almost 60% if you have a family history).  “Numerous studies have found that the longer women breastfeed, the more they’re protected against breast and ovarian cancer. For breast cancer, nursing for at least a year appears to have the most protective effect. It’s not entirely clear how breastfeeding helps, but structural changes in breast tissue caused by breastfeeding and the fact that lactation suppresses the amount of estrogen your body produces may play roles. Researchers think the effect on ovarian cancer may be related to estrogen suppression as well” (How breastfeeding benefits you and your child  Babycenter.com).

Here are some additional ways to protect yourself and to remind others that early detection is key and that we can make a difference in the fight to end this second leading cause of death in women:

  • do self breast exams (this is the most common way to detect breast cancer)
  • have a mammogram
  • wear a pink ribbon
  • donate to breast cancer research
  • educate your daughter/sister/granddaughter/another woman on the issue and early detection
  • know your family history
  • involve your public officials

Posted in Breastfeeding, In the News | No Responses »
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Welcome Sophie Madeline

Monday, October 12th, 2009

After two previous cesarean sections and a current scheduled one, my friend barely had time to make it to the hospital around the corner where she gave birth to her daughter vaginally and without medication!  Wahoo!  Way to go momma and congratulations on getting the birth you’ve wanted (well, maybe not in the way you wanted) and for thumbing your nose at those doctors who said it couldn’t/shouldn’t be done!  Maybe once mom has time to record all the details, we can get her to add her birth story as well…

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Posted in Birth Stories, Labor & Delivery, Natural Childbirth | No Responses »

Buyer Beware

Wednesday, October 7th, 2009

With the information highway expanding more and more everyday, we as consumers need to discern legitimate information sorted out from all the other “stuff” that’s presented.

With childbirth, everyone and their brother will tell you lovely tidbits of information that happened to their wife or whoever and even that, you need to take with a grain of salt.  There are just too many stereotypes to pregnancy and every woman is different.  With my first pregnancy, I loved being asked “are you learning how to breathe” in regards to childbirth classes.  Now on my third pregnancy, I still get comments like “oh, you get to eat anything you want now”.

There are so many websites regarding childbirth and natural childbirth but as with choosing your own birth plan, you also have to choose which sources are presenting you correct information.  Be a good consumer and do the necessary research.  Educate yourself and then you won’t just have take someone else’s word on it.  This includes, questioning doctors as to why they are suggesting a route for your care.

The similar goes to attending childbirth classes.  Make sure (especially if you are paying) that the teacher for your class(es) is certified by an organization.  This ensures that they have received some formal training other than perhaps their own first hand experience, however applicable it is.  There are way too many quote on quote natural childbirth teachers who are just utilizing material from one method without receiving the training which is what ensures that they are current and up to date with the latest information.  Always go to the organization’s website for teachers in your area, don’t trust posters or website that you just happen across.

Remember, you are the only one responsible for your medical care.  You owe it to yourself and to your baby to find the best path for your birth.

Posted in In the News, Medical Consumerism, Natural Childbirth, Preparation & planning | No Responses »
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