Studies explore how mode of delivery affects postpartum brain
Studies show that the absence of naturally released oxytocin during a cesarean delivery impacts the postpartum brain. ICAN Canada's president, Claudia Villeneuve, comments on the emotional impact of cesarean delivery on mothers: "If that experience was demeaning in any way, or if you felt helpless, there is a lot of internal conflict." Read Full Article.
Birth Wars: Who's really winning the homebirth debate.
Jennifer Block examines the hostile relationship between home birth advocates and hospital obstetricians. Scientific evidence remains at the core of the debate because no randomized controlled trials exist. The ACOG claims that studies on homebirth vs. hospital birth "have not been scientifically rigorous." However, Block observes that "most labor interventions became routine without any study whatsoever, and several, like continuous electronic fetal monitoring and episiotomy, continue to be used even though copious evidence has proved them unnecessary and potentially harmful." Read Full Article.
Take Away the Incentives for too many C-Sections
Medicaid in Washington State now pays hospitals the same amount for uncomplicated cesarean sections as for complicated vaginal births. The removal of financial incentives for hospitals will reduce health care costs as well as improve maternal care. Currently, about 11,000 cesareans each year in Washington State are deemed unnecessary. Read Full Article.
Vaginal Delivery of Breech Presentation
The risks and benefits of a trial of labor for frank or complete breech fetuses versus a planned cesarean section are examined. Researchers indicate that a "planned vaginal delivery is reasonable in selected women with a term singleton breech fetus." Read Full Article.
Neonatal Outcomes After Elective Cesarean Delivery
NICU admissions rates are higher for babies born by elective repeat cesarean than VBAC babies. Read Full Article.
UCSF/Standford team finds labor induction need not increase cesarean risk
Team finds that elective induction of labor at or after 41 weeks of gestation lowers the risk of a cesarean by 22% if induction of labor is given time to work. Dr. Aaron Caughey of UCSF notes, "We're concerned that our findings may not translate to many hospital settings in the United States." Read Full Article.
Less Cesareans with Induction of Labor? Read the Fine Print!
ICAN blogger responds to the UCSF study and concludes that "women must be aware of the risks associated with any obstetrical intervention and have the freedom to make choices that they believe are best for themselves and their babies, not doctors’ protocols and hospital time clocks." Read Full Article.
Guest Blogger: Gail Tully
Gail Tully of "Spinning Babies" describes how lunging through contractions can help an asynclitic baby descend for birth. Read Full Article.
2009 ICAN Conference Speaker and Author Seeking Survey Respondents
Sandy Jones, co-author of Great Expectations: Your All-in-One Resource for Pregnancy & Childbirth, is seeking ICAN members to participate in a survey entitled "What Led You to a Cesarean?".
Ms. Jones is preparing a PowerPoint presentation/slide show for the internet called "How NOT to Have a C-Section" which aims to educate first-time pregnant moms on how to recognize and respond to pressures from healthcare providers to have medically unnecessary cesareans.
All responses will be kept strictly anonymous.
If you are interested in participating in this quick survey, please answer the following two questions:
What words or actions did your healthcare provider use to convince you to have a c-section.
What week did that happen in your pregnancy? (Or during labor?)
(Examples of responses: "I was in labor and didn't want a c-section. My obstetrician said that he couldn't be responsible for what happened to my baby if I didn't comply." "He had his appointment secretary schedule a c-section as soon as he established by due date, which was around 10 weeks or pregnancy." "She warned me that I had a big baby during my 3rd trimester, and that I might have to have a c-section." "He told me when I was 37 weeks pregnant that my baby would be breech, and I would need to have a c-section.")
Your response can be e-mailed or mailed to Ms. Jones at the following addresses:
Sandy Jones, MA
150 W. Southwood Dr.
Brevard, NC 28712
Tel: 828-884-4442
Primary e-mail: JonesBabyExpert@aol.com
Sharing your experience may help prevent another woman's unnecessary cesarean!
No comments:
Post a Comment