http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2010/06/28/the_high_cost_of_caesareans/
You would think hospitals/ACOG might pay attention (don't hold your breath!!).
Monday, June 28, 2010
A clear sign to switch from an ob's practice
http://birthingbeautifulideas.com/?p=1922
This is a blog post about an ob practice in Ohio that has banned doulas and individual birth plans. The scariest part about it is not that the practice is requiring patients to sign off on their rules, but that many other practices feel the same way, but are not as upfront about it. I didn't get far enough along in my last pregnancy to discuss a birth plan with the ob practice I started with, but due to everything that lead to my leaving them, I have a feeling that they might have been just as unbending, just not as open about it.
While I would highly recommend any woman with a healthy pregnancy to seek out midwifery care instead of a doctor, I also understand that even for the most ardent natural birth supporters this isn't always possible (at the very least, insurance issues can make this a no-go right from the start). If you must be with an ob, I would then suggest speaking from very early on plans for a natural birth. There are some telling signs if the ob is less than supportive of this. Things such as their c-section rate, epidural rate, and how long they're willing to let you go past your due date (ACOG recommends induction at 43 weeks, not the 41 currently practiced the majority of the time). And remember, it is never too late to switch to a health care provider that you feel more comfortable with!
This is a blog post about an ob practice in Ohio that has banned doulas and individual birth plans. The scariest part about it is not that the practice is requiring patients to sign off on their rules, but that many other practices feel the same way, but are not as upfront about it. I didn't get far enough along in my last pregnancy to discuss a birth plan with the ob practice I started with, but due to everything that lead to my leaving them, I have a feeling that they might have been just as unbending, just not as open about it.
While I would highly recommend any woman with a healthy pregnancy to seek out midwifery care instead of a doctor, I also understand that even for the most ardent natural birth supporters this isn't always possible (at the very least, insurance issues can make this a no-go right from the start). If you must be with an ob, I would then suggest speaking from very early on plans for a natural birth. There are some telling signs if the ob is less than supportive of this. Things such as their c-section rate, epidural rate, and how long they're willing to let you go past your due date (ACOG recommends induction at 43 weeks, not the 41 currently practiced the majority of the time). And remember, it is never too late to switch to a health care provider that you feel more comfortable with!
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Braxton-Hicks
While I am thrilled to bet getting them, and have for the past few weeks, something I was not told prior to this pregnancy is that they are more painful and start earlier the second time around (or can be). So it kind of freaked me out the first few times. I had them for the last two months of my first pregnancy and it was really neat to have proof that my body was getting ready. This time, if I have a couple in a row, I start getting a little freaked out, too. But, I'm trying to consciously choose instead to concentrate on relaxing and breathing through them: they're practice contractions, so I'm practicing my method of dealing with the real deal. It's all about staying in the moment.
End note: so a little part of me is also freaked out that if the Braxton-Hicks are more uncomfortable this time, will I know for certain when the real deal starts? I had another dream of a super-fast labor, 23 minutes, but this one didn't go as well as my previous pregnancy dreams. Just that the midwives were really blasse about coming and then I had major breastfeeding issues.
End note: so a little part of me is also freaked out that if the Braxton-Hicks are more uncomfortable this time, will I know for certain when the real deal starts? I had another dream of a super-fast labor, 23 minutes, but this one didn't go as well as my previous pregnancy dreams. Just that the midwives were really blasse about coming and then I had major breastfeeding issues.
Monday, June 21, 2010
A random blogpost about home births
http://blog.emerson.edu/ploughshares/2010/05/they-used-to-burn-us.html
Has a lovely home birth story and more about New York State's problems with midwives.
Has a lovely home birth story and more about New York State's problems with midwives.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Rebuttle to ACOG
http://www.babble.com/winning-homebirth-debate/
Fantastic article showing the skewed point of view of physicians & ACOG and some bits on why homebirth is such a controversial issue in this country.
Fantastic article showing the skewed point of view of physicians & ACOG and some bits on why homebirth is such a controversial issue in this country.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Stupid ACOG
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/18/nyregion/18midwives.html?th&emc=th
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists is doing it's darnedest to prevent women from using midwives in New York state. This infuriates me beyond belief. Anyway, have a read and get annoyed, too :).
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists is doing it's darnedest to prevent women from using midwives in New York state. This infuriates me beyond belief. Anyway, have a read and get annoyed, too :).
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