ICAN eNews

15 January 2010 
ICAN eNews
Volume 56
In the news
C-section epidemic hits China: WHO
According to the WHO, "Nearly one in two births in China are delivered by cesarean section, of which a quarter are not medically necessary." Explanations for this epidemic include wanting to avoid labor pain, choosing the day of a child's birth, and financial incentives for maternity hospitals. Read Full Article.
Perform caesarean deliveries only when medically indicated
The WHO weighs in on the risks of cesareans. Of the many complications linked to cesareans, "women who had a caesarean section without a medical need to were at least ten times more likely to be admitted to intensive care than those who gave birth normally." Read Full Article.
Obstetricians debate whether Caesarean section is always best for breech babies
The Washington Post reports on the ongoing debate on vaginal delivery for breech presentation. The interviewed OB discloses that "given that breech births are trickier, concern about medical malpractice suits is a big factor behind the doctors' widespread reluctance to perform natural breech births." Read Full Article.
In the research
Severe Obesity in Young Women and Reproductive Health: The Danish National Birth Cohort
Although this study does acknowledge some limitations and disclaims that it is "unknown what the excess risk would have been had the women not been obese," the results indicate that severely obese women are at higher risk for pregnancy and delivery complications such as an increased risk for a cesarean.  Read Full Article
Fasting periods and dehydration before elective caesarean section
Fasting before an elective cesarean is a common and recommended practice, but the level of dehydration seen in patients is cause for reevaluation according to this London study. Read More.
Birth outcomes in primiparous women who were raped as adults: a matched controlled study.
According to this Norwegian study, women who were raped as adults have a higher risk of cesarean, assisted vaginal delivery, and a prolonged second stage of labor.  Read More.
A valuable resource on this topic is the book When Survivors Give Birth: Understanding and Healing the Effects of Early Sexual Abuse on Childbearing Women by Penny Simkin and Phyllis Klaus.
From the women of ICAN
Baby Says: Better the car than the OR!
ICAN comments on the Illinois woman who delivered her baby in a car days before her scheduled cesarean. Read More.
Guest Blog: BOOK REVIEW – Isa Herrera, “Ending Female Pain”
ICAN's guest blogger Karen Worley reviews Isa Herrera's book. Worley reports that while this book is not a "quick fix," it "is different from any other  in that it addresses the “whole woman” and teaches the reader about the importance of a mind-body connection in achieving optimal physical and mental health."  Read Karen Worley's complete review!
ICAN Calendars are on Sale!
It's not too late! ICAN Calendars are still available. Order yours now.
Get active!
ICAN Needs YOUR Help!
**LAST CALL**
ICAN is currently still seeking failure to progress triumph stories!
Please respond in order to participate in ICAN's latest educational project. We cannot do it without you!
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.
Upcoming Events
January Online Webinar
This month's online webinar discusses post-partum cesarean care. Physical Therapist Isa Herrera presents a guide to cesarean scar care that focuses on healing measures in the post-partum period. The webinar will take place on January 24th, 2010 at 9:00 pm EST. Register for this event.
January Online Support Meeting
This month, join ICAN to discuss physical recovery after a cesarean. Share, chat and find support live-online, on January 27th at 10:00 pm EST.  Register for this event.