Say What You Mean

You do not have to be induced. No matter what they say. No matter what you say. Even when medically indicated!

*Gasp* Am I proclaiming that you shouldn't get an induction when medically indicated?  No, of course not. But that's you're choice! And that is the point I am making.

I am so tired of hearing women say "I had to get induced because..." You did not HAVE to get induced! You do not HAVE to be induced!

In regards to medically indicated inductions

Please, I implore you, for the sake of birth in our society, consider your words carefully. Because how we speak, how we think, how we view birth matters; it truly, truly makes a difference for women around us and for future generations. What are we teaching our daughters and their future husbands when we say "I had to"? We are teaching them and those around us that it is not their birth, it is that of the institution. Semantics are incredibly powerful. The correct terminology in the case of your suggested medical induction would be, "My care provider recommended induction" And then, do your research or look within or pray, whatever your general go-to method is when between a rock and a hard place. It IS your choice to allow or decline your care provider's suggested induction. Take responsibility for your birth- after all, it's your body, your baby, your birth, your choice.

I urge you, to know and understand what true medical indications for induction are. Take responsibility for your choice.

Did you know: 

According to the NNEPQIN Post maturity (gestational age <41 weeks) is an elective induction.
ACOG, Mayo Clinic and American Family of Family Physicians all discourage the elective induction or scheduled cesarean for reason of a "big baby."
Childbirth Connection and Evidence Based Birth also have a lot to say about inductions.
Lamaze International says

When it comes to choosing a birthday, baby knows best.

UpToDate says

Delivery before the onset of labor is indicated when the maternal/fetal risks associated with continuing the pregnancy are thought to be greater than the maternal/fetal risks associated with early delivery

Your due date is not an expiration date 

In regards to elective inductions

The truth is, well you know what the truth is. 

I'll say it again, semantics are powerful. 

"I had to be induced because I'm overdue" means "I'm sick of being pregnant so I've decided to force my baby out because I went past my guess date"  

As I said before, your due date is not an expiration date. You have options.

Sometimes, women feel - due to family circumstances, such as spouse availability, family being in town to help after baby is born, striving to get all of that maternity leave - that they must induce. In these circumstances, please, please, understand the real hormones involved and the importance of labor. Understand, as said before, you should be choosing the lesser of two evils. It is your choice, I give you that but be responsible for it and responsible for what you say, because semantics are powerful. Did you hear me yet? Semantics are incredibly powerful; we are shaping the way our society views birth, not just now but for future generations. So please, if you've chosen an induction for convenience, stop saying "I need to be induced" because you don't! You are choosing to be induced. Furthermore, you should never feel pressured into an induction. "My care provider says I have to be induced" is not, in and of itself, a valid reason for induction. Your care provider may recommend and induction but in the end it is your choice to accept or decline. You do not have to show up! Make an informed choice that supports your birth, your body, your baby and your desires.

To induce or not to induce. That is the question. And it is just that, a question, a suggestion, an intervention. This is your Journey of Life -own it!

Did you schedule your labor or let nature decide?

Rally to Improve Birth

Where will you stand this labor day?  <--Click the link to find a rally near you

September 2, 2013

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

ImprovingBirth.org Brings you the Rally to Improve Birth. I'm sure you know someone, or perhaps you are someone, who has felt taken advantage of during birth. It is becoming far too common in our culture for women to be uninformed or misinformed. Far too often, care providers are not offering evidence based care. We can fix that! Agnes Sallet Von Tannenberg said, 

If we are to heal the planet, we must begin by healing birth.

That statement could not be more true; birth matters! 

Every mother should be nurtured and respected as she brings her baby earth side. The way her birth experience makes her feel will have lasting impact on her life, shaping the kind of mother, lover, friend and person she is. This is the start of the Journey of Life and babies also deserve the best start; that begins with a healthy pregnancy in which a woman takes an active role in the decisions surrounding her pregnancy and birth. That begins with a birth that evolves around a woman's individual choices; informed choices that are derived from full and accurate information about her care options, including the potential harm, benefits, and alternatives.

Don't Hate, Let's Educate {Birth}

Stop the Mommy Wars is derived from the concept that the only choices we have control over are our own. What another mom chooses is her decision – who are we to judge that?  We are each free to make our own decisions and we should support another mother in her own decisions, creating a stronger community.  While I fully believe this is an excellent idea to stop the growing trend of pop culture pitting moms against each other, I also feel we have other battles placed in front of us that must be confronted. So should we fight one another, insisting that each person is in the right? No: Don't Hate, Let's Educate.

Birth

Your birth, your way. I firmly believe that and as a doula abide by that; I support whatever kind of birth my client chooses.  Here's the catch- I educate my clients. They are making informed choices.

The problem lies, once again, in our misinformed culture. Fear is rampant!  Less than half of all expectant mothers will have taken a childbirth preparation course by the time they give birth. A good majority of those who do take a course take one in a hospital setting. In a hospital course you learn how to be a good patient. You learn some basics about the stages of labor but not what you need to know; not evidence based birth. You'll learn what your [medical] pain management options are but most won't tell you all of the risks of an epidural or that a doula helps to relieve your pain naturally and is associated with a more positive birth experience. They'll tell you the process of admitting you to the hospital but not tips to keep your labor from stalling; they have pitocin for that. They don't work to undo the fear that has been bestowed upon us by our pop culture and the collective memory we've built from that culture.  It's easy and cost effective when birthing mothers can be put into the system, boxed up and released.

But we are each individual mothers with unique births, bodies and babies- we deserve to be treated as such. Don't Hate the system because it treated you unfairly, Let's Educate and spread the word that this is a human rights issue; autonomy of choice. This is what I'm talking about!

A cause that directly affects the health and well-being of millions of women around the world. That cause is human rights in childbirth.

You, mother who doesn't research and just does as your told in the birthing room, I judge you. I judge you and I apologize for that but if we are to take back birth then there is no room for mothers who don't care. We need all the support and advocacy we can get because birth matters.

So is this OB vs Midwife? Hospital vs home? Technology vs nature? No! We can all respect one another. I will respect your choice to birth in the hospital with an epidural if you respect my choice to birth at home without drugs. I respect yours because I've researched yours. Have you researched mine? I'm not asking if you believe it, I'm not asking you to achieve it. I'm simply asking you to be informed. Understand that home birth is a safe option for a healthy, low-risk mother. It's OK if it's not the choice for you, I don't judge you; I simply want you to know that pregnancy is not an illness. I want you to know the epidural is not free of risks. Do you know the benefits and joy of natural birth? Or are you overwhelmed by fear of the pain we have been programmed to expect in childbirth?

"So many North American women have experienced the pain of labor, and then had an epidural, that our collective memory about birth is now full of hurt but is missing the feelings of ecstasy and success that natural birth provides." -Cynthia Gabriel

Our culture has been programmed to fear birth. When birth moved out of the home and into the hospital it became a mystery. Little girls no longer see birth as a normal part of life but as an illness that needs medical care. Everywhere you turn you see complications and pain and no mother wants to be the only woman in the birth circle talking about her blissful or ecstatic birth. Are you getting your information from the media? Are your friends, coworkers and complete strangers bombarding you with horror stories? What would happen if you surrounded yourself with positive birth stories? Have you considered finding a birth circle? Do you have a doula or other caring support persons?



Midwives may provide an excellent source or childbirth education but if you're getting your information from an obstetrician, you must understand that they are trained surgeons; they are trained to manage complications in birth! Don't be ignorant when choosing your care provider. Do you know your care providers birth philosophy? This should be one of the first questions you ask when in search for a care provider. You shouldn't have to settle or compromise. [<--Trigger warning]

Why is it that we get pregnant and call the surgeon! 

The United States spends $98 billion annually on hospitalization for pregnancy and childbirth, but the US maternal mortality rate has doubled in the past 25 years. The U.S. ranks 50th in the world for maternal mortality, meaning 49 countries were better at keeping new mothers alive.

So what's different here than in those other countries? Do they have better technology than us? No. What's missing here, in the United States, is the midwifery model of care. Only 8% of mothers are seeking a midwife for their prenatal care and birth. When are we going to catch on? When are we going to realize that birth is a normal life event. Not only does birth matter, mothers matter! It's not enough to merely say "the baby's healthy, that's all that matters."

There's not near enough of a concern for the rising cesarean rate. Can a cesarean save lives? Yes. Are all  these cesareans we're having necessary- not even close. The WHO recommends a cesarean rate below 15%; anything above that and our outcomes are not improving alongside of the rise in this major abdominal surgery. We are at a national average of 32%.
 
Take charge of your birth. Know what interventions increase your likelihood of a cesarean.
It is NOT ok that we are using pitocin to elictively induce labor.

Daily Med Plus

Don't Hate, Let's Educate. Surely, a mother who knew the risks of induction to her baby and to herself would not choose this. But as a culture, we have made pitocin far too permissible in birth and ignored the dangers of it. Roberto Caldreyo-Barcia, MD said,

Pitocin is the most abused drug in the world today.

We are disregarding the importance of mother nature and creating detrimental affects.

Infographic courtesy of Plumtree Baby

Beyond all of this, it's more than just this moment, this birth; pitocin impacts so much more. Michele Odent, MD first began exploring the desensitization of oxytocin receptors.

Oxytocin is the hormone of love and bonding and human connection. If the oxytocin system is damaged, or a child’s oxytocin receptors become desensitized, the ramifications are huge. Click here to read more about how pitocin impacts can be life-long. 

A recent ACOG survey found that in 43% of malpractice suits involving neurologically impaired babies, Pitocin was to blame. Is this really a risk you want to take because you're uncomfortable towards the end of your pregnancy? Of course not! But mothers are not being told of the risks and so we are overly seeking convenience. This "convenience" is affecting us as a society. This is what I am so angered by. I don't know your circumstances, I don't judge you; what I judge is ignorance. What I am enraged by is the lack of knowledge and respect for choices made surrounding birth. Why is this risk such an easy option to obtain but to VBAC you have to fight? You'll be told the risks of that and you'll be told in a way that makes you fearful, regardless that a vaginal birth may be a safer choice.

Fear mongering is not ok! Ever!

In conclusion: we must respect each women in the choices she makes for her birth and understand that she made the choice she felt best with the knowledge and support she was given. Don't Hate, Let's Educate. We need to stop bashing one another for the choices the other has already made and start reshaping the way our culture views birth. If we can influence the way we think about birth- trusting mother nature, understanding this normal life process- we can begin rethinking our choices and positively influencing future generations. But with so much negative influence from pop culture and a lack of prevalence in the midwifery model of care, where is a simple consumer to begin improving birth? [<---The answer here.]

Previously in Don't Hate, Let's Educate: Vaccinations and Baby Feeding

For more in evidence based birth to help you make informed choices, follow the Journey of Life.

What's important for your birth ?

Don't Hate, Let's Educate -part one

I try not to judge other parents, I really try. I've heard another mother say, it doesn't matter what she does as long as it doesn't affect my kids; but if you think about it, what each of us does affects the other. Regardless, I don't judge you for the choices you make regarding your children; you parent your way, I'll parent mine. We all make the best choices we can for our families and I respect that in each of us. What I judge is ignorance. Nothing bothers me more than an uneducated decision or a decision made without thoughtfulness.

Don't Hate, Let's Educate!  In this series, I'm going to cover what I feel are the top controversial decisions we must make for our children- sometimes I see parents make these decisions with great care, other times I see thoughtless choices, often influenced by our media. With a great deal of access to social media, television shows, tabloids and more, we are such a misinformed culture!

Stop the Mommy Wars is derived from the concept that the only choices we have control over are our own. What another mom chooses is her decision – who are we to judge that?  We are each free to make our own decisions and we should support another mother in her own decisions, creating a stronger community.  While I fully believe this is an excellent idea to stop the growing trend of pop culture pitting moms against each other, I also feel we have other battles placed in front of us that must be confronted. So should we fight one another, insisting that each person is in the right? No: Don't Hate, Let's Educate.

Vaccinations

If you don't vaccinate, I must. I will say it- vaccinations are why devastating diseases like polio and rubella are no longer prevalent. Does this mean I'm pro-vaccination? Not really, I'm terrified of them! I cringe every time I take my child to get vaccinated. We don't get all of them; I do my research and take my 'risks' accordingly. The problem I have, is all the crap they put in these vaccinations! I'm sure a lot of parents have an issue with this. Another disconcerting factor of vaccinations is the number of diseases we are now attacking. What every happened to chicken pox parties? What's with the rise in childhood shingles? Perhaps it's along the lines of our sudden phobia of illness. In the 1950's we vaccinated for 5 major diseases. Today we vaccinate for 14 and have combo shots to boot! Learn more in the Vaccine Education Center of The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Parents who weren't vaccinated as children take claim to being the healthiest people they know. Some parents vaccinate their children and claim no ill effects, while others are sure their child has suffered traumatic reactions to one or a combination of vaccinations. So what's a parent to do.  Should I shout from the roof tops that I am right and you are wrong? No, I won't do that. I will make the best choices for my family and you for yours. All I ask is that you know- know what's in them, understand what they are striving to prevent, know the risks of vaccinating and the risks of not vaccinating. Perhaps you'd consider Homeoprophylaxis? Science-Based Medicine argues that due to the law of dilutions, "homeopaths use nosodes as their vehicle for imaginary vaccinations." You decide but please respect the decision of other parents. Don't hate, let's educate!

Formula vs Breastfeeding

A very small percentage of mothers actually can't breastfeed, a very small percentage. So is it fair for me to judge a mother who chooses to formula feed her baby just because? Probably not. But considering what I said before, "as long as your choices don't affect my kids", maybe it is fair to judge. Or in the very least, I can just be angry at what that child was deprived of. I know, s/he's your child, so why should I be angry? Because formula fed children get sick more than breastfed children- can you say school house germs!? (Check out this blog post by The Alpha Parent and scroll down to numbers 9 & 10) In general, babies who are formula fed are hospitalized more and have more health concerns, including asthma, ear infections, meningitis. All of this affects me and my child, not to mention I find our rising obesity epidemic offensive. The CDC says

Improving the health of mothers and their children is a primary goal of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding, with its many known benefits for infants, children, and mothers, is a key strategy toward this goal.

Photo courtesy of Proud to Announce Photograhy

So there you have it! Improving breastfeeding rates is a major goal we are working towards because it does matter and no child should be deprived the benefits of breastfeeding due to an uneducated or selfish decision to formula feed.  [I breastfeed for selfish reasons! and of course for the benefit of my child.] I am coming to realize that my anger is not towards another mother who chooses not to breastfeed but at our culture. So many mothers turn to formula in response to media or fear of social judgment or because they aren't given enough support. I can't fully agree with that last reasoning because the support is there- you just have to look for it. So perhaps, support like La Leche League is overrun and hidden by all those campaigns funded by the formula companies. Formula is no longer being used as it was intended to be used; formula companies got greedy and lactation consultants got ignored for a quick fix solution. I urge you, consider what formula really is and what it was intended for- those few circumstances where a baby couldn't breastfeed- and consider what breasts are really intended for. It is my hope that we all make the best decisions for our babies and given the information it's no secret what that is. Perhaps, like this parent, breast is not best for your family. You deserve respect for your informed choice, despite any disagreement. Don't hate, let's educate.

Fun Fact:

Breastfeeding ensures that vaccinations work properly.

These are just two of the many decisions we'll make as parents on the Journey of Life. 
For more in this series, follow the Journey of Life by email.
Next in Don't Hate, Let's Educate: Birth

Do you vaccinate? Do you cling to breast or bottle? Do you support other mothers whose decisions may differ from you own? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Childbirth in Pop Culture {A Birth Circle Topic}

From stethoscopes to dopplers to continuous fetal monitoring, we've come a long way in childbirth but we're still hearing the same thing.  The media distorts childbirth, painting images of fear and chaos that are being forever imprinted on impressionable young girls.  I implore you, to more closely examine what you believe about birth and where you get your notions from; take a look at what you're daughters are learning about childbirth and where they are learning it.  Birth should not be something we fear, rather something we trust.  Yes, labor is hard work but it doesn't have to be excruciating.  Most low-risk labors would progress normally and without complications if women were left to natural progression, contrary to what some Hollywood films would have us to believe.

In sci-fi and horror films women are victimized into their pregnancy and throughout the birth.  In comedies panic ensues and women are unqualified.  The biggest fear expressed by expectant mothers is pain; it's no wonder why when that's what Hollywood wants us to see; the drama sells.  Twilight offers a horrific scene of a disfiguring, painful childbirth. Real childbirth seems to be Hollywood's last taboo, as Dr.'s hand over perfectly clean and swaddled babies from under the blue sheet to their mothers. In our pop culture births like this will be hard to come by. 

Historically Speaking

In the 1950's CBS would not allow the word pregnant to be said on the popular sitcom I Love Lucy today a model faces controversy while keeping her pregnancy secret for the first four months.  Whatever happened to having the freedom of choice?  The biggest assault of choices for pregnant women is with whom and where they'll birth.  Women are assaulted as to exactly how they should birth, much of this assault stemming from the media.  In America, when childbirth moved into the hospital, adds came out slandering midwives, depicting them as decrepit and for the poor.  Historically speaking we've gone through our fair share of childbirth fads- with hospital births came the option of "pain free" childbirth.  Moving birth out of the home created the mystery surrounding birth as each generation no longer saw birth as a normal part of life.  Twilight sleep induced an even bigger mystery as mothers had no memory from the experience and fathers weren't permitted.  All we knew now was what we heard- birth hurts, be pain free.  It got to the point where it was thought that wealthy women couldn't birth naturally because they were too pampered.  In the 40's and 50's Lamaze became popular after Marjorie Karmel smuggled in the "pornographic" video of natural childbirth.  This wave of natural childbirth, where mothers longed to be an active part of their birth experience, lasted into the 90's.  In the popular culture of today we most commonly see women asking or should I say screaming, for their epidurals.  Again we're seeing a repeat of "too posh to push" with scheduled c-section/tummy tuck combos flashed about by Hollywood. 

So take the time to re-think your views on birth and trust this beautiful part of your Journey of Life.  Birth can surprise you and not all birth plans go accordingly but that's ok.  Read and watch positive birth stories and videos.  Enjoy browsing through the folios of birth photographers.  Take a childbirth preparation course!  Watching Birth Day, One Born Every Minute or Call the Midwife does not count.  Find a Bradley Method, Lamaze, HypnoBabies or Hypnobirthing instructor near you.  Ask your care provider what they recommend.  Check with your doula; some offer childbirth education.  Another great resource is http://www.icea.org/.  Check out what your local hospital has to offer.  Read empowering books like Birthing From Within, by Pam England and Birth Reborn, by Michele Odent.  Don't believe everything you see on T.V.  Take the time to share with your daughter what birth really can be like; perhaps you can be part of bringing birth back into the home as the intimate experience it is.

Other Birth Circle Topics:

• What's A Birth Circle?
• Frequently Un-Asked Questions
• Nutrition in Pregnancy
• Exploring Essential Oils

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