1 December 2009
ICAN eNews
Volume 54
Worries Surround Canada's rising C-section rate
Article discusses the risks of cesareans and why they are increasing across Canada. One of the major side effects cited is placenta accreta and "obstetricians across Canada say one of the most feared complications of pregnancy is increasing as a direct consequence of the nation's rising caesarean-section rate." ICAN-Canada's President Claudia Villeneuve is quoted in this article! Read Full Article.
U.S. Scores a 'D' On Preterm Birth Report Card
The March of Dimes has released its rating on premature birth rates and the United States received a 'D.' Early inductions and cesareans are listed among the reasons for the nation's premature birth rate. Read Full Article.
To see a listing of how each state ranks, please visit the March of Dimes website.
Babies Born "A Little" too Early Face Serious Health Problems
Lamaze International reports on the importance of the last few weeks of pregnancy. President of Lamaze International Sharon Dalrymple observes that "Women can play a key part in driving down avoidable prematurity...It may sound oversimplified, but saying no to any induction or cesarean that doesn’t have an urgent and compelling medical reason behind it is a good way to protect your baby from being born too early.”
Read Full Article.
Oxytocin as a "High Alert Medication": A Multilayered Challenge to the Status Quo
Judith P. Rooks, CNM comments on an article published in January of 2009 on the risks of oxytocin use in obstetrics. She adds to this previous study on the use of oxytocin by emphasizing the "risk of harm from cesarean sections" and discusses the connection between epidurals and the natural production of oxytocin. Read More.
Barriers to the Use of Hydrotherapy in Labor
A survey for nurses was developed to assess why hydrotherapy is not used more frequently in labor pain management. The results of the survey indicate that the "culture of birthing" at a nurses' institution influences perceptions on hydrotherapy. More specifically, institutions with higher rates of epidurals, cesareans, and physician attended births tend to have nurses with more barriers to hydrotherapy. Read More.
Adaptation, postpartum concerns, and learning needs in the first two weeks after caesarean birth
A survey indicates that although there is a "trend toward normalisation" of cesareans and few postpartum concerns were expressed, mothers still report problems adapting emotionally and physically. This is especially true among primiparas mothers and those with unplanned cesareans. Read More.
Two maternity "gurus" on cesareans and "fairytale births"
ICAN blogger sums up what Sheila Kitzinger and Ina May Gaskin have recently said in interviews about modern childbirth expectations, outcomes, and cesareans. On cesareans, Ina May Gaskin remarks, "Now we have the ridiculous situation in which an entire generation of women of childbearing age have been trained to believe that major surgery (the cesarean) isn’t painful or potentially harmful." Read the full summary.
Interview with Lindsey Meehleis: My Journey to VBAC
Lindsey Meehleis shares with ICAN about her VBAC video, the feedback she's received from it, and how ICAN's support helped her heal after her first child's birth. Lindsey's advice to women seeking a VBAC "is to educate themselves and surround themselves with positive people who believe in them. Women must cultivate their own inner strength to be true advocates for themselves." Read the interview.
ICAN Calendars are Here!
Filled with photos of those touched by ICAN, the calendar is a beautiful daily reminder of ICAN's mission. Order yours now.
Mother-Sized Activism: the Story of Myshell & Hannibal
ICAN's Krista Cornish-Scott shares the story of Myshell who is planning an HBAC after finding no support for a VBAC from her physician a month before her due date. She now needs to plan and fund an HBAC. Read Myshell's story and make a difference.
Seeking "Failure to Progress" Triumph Stories
Dear women of ICAN, we want to hear YOUR story!
We are looking for women who were diagnosed with "Failure to Progress" (FTP) as a reason for your cesarean, and who subsequently had:
- A fast birth, contrary to a care provider saying something akin to "your body just will NEVER dilate past X cm"
- OR had another long labor, going past the time or dilation "stall" of the previous "FTP" but then kept going and had your VBAC, showing that all that was needed was patience for a body that liked to go slow.
If you have a story that falls into the above categories, please email to youtube@ican-online.org the following things:
1) a very short summary of the two births, including any pertinent quotes like:
"doc said my body just wouldn't dilate past a 4..." or
"I gave up because after 24 hours at 5 cm I was told I'd never progress..." and then the next birth "another 24 hours at 5 cm but then I went from 5 cm to 10 in 20 minutes!" or similar stories.
If you did anything DIFFERENT (changed care provider, didn't have dilated checked, hired a doula, read X book, became an ICAN lifetime subscriber, etc) please tell us that too.
2) TWO pictures from each birth. It would be great to have one "labor" and one "birth" pic from each.
3) Your name, contact phone number or email. We will send you a release form to sign once we receive your submission and we may have some follow-up questions about your story.
Be part of ICAN's next education project... a video all about women who overcame a diagnosis of "Failure to Progress".
Remember to use the email address youtube@ican-online.org.
Online Support Meeting
Get support live online on Wednesday, December 9th at 10:00 pm EST. This meeting's topic is "Dealing with the Family." Register for this event.
Copyright 2009 International Cesarean Awareness Network
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