A Sad State Of Affairs

Last week I saw a headline as I pulled up my email on the web. It said, "Today Show Watches Birth". Since I'm a homebirth junkie, I immediately assumed it would be a home birth, but much to my dismay it wasn't. "Oh well", I thought, "I'll watch a good hospital birth with the rest of the world." Next thing you know I'm watching a scheduled cesarean delivery and the Today Show commentator is giving the play by play.

The surgery was 'straight forward' and 'non eventful' and mom's uterus was cut open and then they pulled the baby out (is that what they call straight forward now a days??) Next, they gave the baby to a nurse who, momentarily, showed it to the mom and dad from across the room and then the camera went to the baby warmer and we watched what happened there.

Now, I've seen enough hospital deliveries to know what happens at the baby warmer, but this was different. There were two nurses who plopped the baby down onto a clean blanket, rubbed the baby's skin vigorously and then lifted the baby up abruptly and changed the blanket, then set him down again. As if this wasn't enough, they repeated this rubbing and lifting thing THREE times!! The infant was screaming it's lungs out and I couldn't believe the rough way that they handled the child. Dad walked over and admired his new kid and dropped a tear or two and the commentator remarked at how "special" the moment was.

Not exactly a special moment, actually. If you've ever witnessed a truly "special" birth you know that "special" after-birth moments are when mom is holding her baby against her chest and the baby is comforted and quiet. I realize this is a C-Section and so holding the baby is not in the cards, but atleast dad could've been holding his own child....or the child could've had human contact after such an abrupt way out of the womb!

Next, they pan over to the mom as she's laying on the table with her uterus out of her body as the doctors sew her up, and the commentator asks her how it all went and how she feels. The mom is speechless and she begins to cry, which then ends with the Today Show host remarking again at how "wonderful" and "special" the birth has been. As the video clip ends, they ask the main doctor how common cesareans are. She replies, "Between 25 and 30% of all births are delivered by cesarean today." Then she goes on to rattle off the 'necessary' reasons for these deliveries.

As the clip ended I sat and cried. What a sad state of affairs we are in if 1 out of every 3 babies is born this rough and sterile way! Coming from knowing what it's like to deliver babies in a humane, gentle way and then to watch this assault on women and babies makes me lose hope for our future and for ourselves as human beings. I completely believe in ceasarean deliveries for moms and babies who are truly at risk or in danger, but with all of the information about how to eat right during pregnancy amongst our high-tech medical world, we should be doing less surgical deliveries and more natural, uncomplicated births.

I believe our medical community is to blame for this epidemic. They keep women beholden to them through lack of education and little communication at the office visits. I hear from women daily who know nothing about their pregnancies, but yet, go to the doctor regularly for "checkups". I know they have questions because they call me. They ask me the questions they should be asking their practitioners! They exist in an uneducated, prenatal state of mind because the doctors don't take the time to teach them, nor do they practice preventive medicine. They own the market share of the medical industry, and yet, perform the worst on keeping women low risk and healthy.

Throughout my midwifery career, which has comprised the last 13 years of my life, I have seen the cesarean rate only increase yearly. Women today are no different than women three or four decades ago, so why the increase? The blame sits squarely upon the shoulders of the countless doctors who make money by doing surgical births. The more surgeries or procedures, the more money for themselves and the hospitals. It's a well known fact that hospitals lose money fiscally but make up for it in the maternity ward. It's a BIG business!

After watching this 'normal', everyday delivery I sat and shook my head. This is the very reason I became a midwife and I'm still only scratching the surface when I help 10-20 moms per year bring their babies into the world peacefully and lovingly. One person can only do so much to turn the tides and sometimes, like today, it feels like we're sinking.

Thanks for reading...Here's to a new year and better choices with how we deliver our babies. Please tell your sisters and friends that they have a choice and it lies with them to make the difference.

Worth the Wait

My client, who've I helped with three of her babies now, decided to have her 4th baby this past Monday night. She called right as the evening news began and I rambled out of bed, got dressed, and drove to her house within a half an hour. There she was, relaxed and smiling in the jacuzzi tub in her bathroom. I set up my supplies and watched her as she transitioned through labor and into the pushing phase. She was calm, collected and everything was going well. We were joking about the baby's name and wondering if she would deliver the baby before midnight and what the birth date would be, afterall. Finally, she began pushing and with each contraction she pushed with all her might, but the baby wasn't moving down very far each time.
I began to get concerned; this was her fourth baby and the pushing shouldn't be this difficult. I decided to reach in and feel for what was coming and I thought I felt a little set of nuckles right next to the head. In a split second decision I took the hand and pulled it toward me and the baby literally unsuctioned and the head was born! Mom gave a huge sigh of relief and I pulled that baby out on the next contraction, along with mom's tremendous efforts! Baby was 9 pounds and full of life! We sat back for a moment and all breathed a collective sigh of relief!
This birth was well worth the wait! Mom was 8 days over the expected due date and I was starting to wonder if she'd push the 2 week mark. I haven't helped a laboring mom give birth since last spring so when I went to the birth I felt my skills might be a bit rusty. Turns out, as soon as I entered the 'birth energy' I was back in the saddle, so to speak, and everything came back to me! What a wonderful way to start the new year! A beautiful water birth...there's nothing quite like them!

You have options!

For many women who live in the southern Utah area, our options are very limited as far as birthing is concerned. This also applies to other places in the U.S. that keep their maternity services 'medicalized'. Here, you have to decide between homebirth with a midwife or a hospital birth. There are no birth centers or progressive birthing CNM's or OB's from which to choose from. Having to choose between these two extremes makes it hard for the 'middle of the road' women who want to deliver in a hospital with little intervention and a more natural approach. I just found a website; http://www.theunnecesarean.com/ that completely addresses this issue plus many more that women are faced with today as they enter the medical, maternity world.

Back in '97 when I had my first child in a St. Louis hospital, I interviewed many doctors before I decided upon the one I chose. These were the days of birth plans and Lamaze/Bradley classes for every pregnant woman. I just so happened to read a few, pivotal books on natural childbirth during my pregnancy that made all the difference in the world for my low intervention outcome. "Childbirth without Fear" and "Easing Labor Pain" were the two "bibles" I adhered to. When I entered the hospital, scheduled for an induction due to being 10 days "late", I knew what I was up against as far as interventions were concerned. I was ready to refuse the heavy Pitocin that would be advised to "get things going" and the Heparin lock IV "just in case I needed a C-section" and the constant fetal monitoring they would insist upon "to keep my baby the safest during labor". I hired a doula for $225.00; the best money I ever spent. She kept me on my ideal labor path even when times got tough and pain was intense. She helped navigate the tough decisions when I was in the trenches of labor. She rubbed my back with a tennis ball, helped me walk around my room to get things going, suggested nipple stimulation for keeping the contractions coming and empowered me to tell the doctor to turn off the Pitocin once it did it's job of kick starting my labor. She kept me on the natural childbirth path and 12 hours later I was holding my firstborn son in my arms having fully felt the entire experience and completely satisfied that "I did it". I achieved my goal; as lofty as it might have seemed in an institution that would've advised otherwise. I listened to my heart, stuck to my guns and had that baby just like I wanted to. I made the hospital work for me...and you can too! You have options. The OB and nursing staff are there to give you what you want. Demand that and don't apologize for being pushy. This is your labor. It may be your last baby or one of many, but each labor counts in women's lives. The experience and story never leaves us. It is part of who we are and contributes to how we feel about ourselves and our babies. Make your labor YOUR LABOR. Do it the way you envision it, no matter where you are giving birth. You only have one chance to do it, so decide what you want and make your wishes known.

One out of every three babies are born by cesarean in the U.S. today. This rate is appalling! Don't be another statistic; demand a natural, non-interventive labor and birth and walk out of that hospital empowered and satisfied.

The only way the maternity healthcare industry will change is by women demanding more from their doctors and less from the surgical knife. One third of women don't need their babies cut from their bodies, this major surgery is their for emergencies only. One third of all pregnant women are not walking emergencies. We were made to have babies on our own. Stick to your convictions, educate yourself on your rights and go into your labor ready to have the best experience ever. You are worth it, your baby is worth it and we are the only ones that can turn this around.

Miscarriage

A dear friend recently went through a miscarriage and it got me thinking about how the medical world handles this natural occurrence versus what we as midwives counsel our clients to do in this situation.
The medical model advises to have ultrasounds, take pharmaceutical hormones and even possibly have a D and C to "clean" out the uterus. Midwives suggest natural herbs allowing the body to cleanse itself and the 'wait and watch' approach. The body is not meant to keep every pregnancy it establishes. Sometimes the cells are not perfectly formed or divided or there is something wrong with the fetus itself. The body knows intuitively when it needs to flush out a pregnancy that will not continue to grow. As women, our bodies were made to get pregnant and keep the fetuses that are strong enough to grow and develop into human beings. It only seems logical to also think that our bodies know when to let go of a pregnancy that doesn't have what it takes. As hard as this may seem emotionally, we have to allow our bodies to recognize the miscarriage and then give it time to flush the tissue out of the uterus on it's own.
The female cervix acts as a cork during pregnancy and will close shut once a fetus begins developing inside of it. When a miscarriage occurs the cervix will slowly reopen to allow the imperfect fetus or bundle of tissue to be flushed out. This is why it's important to not rush the process. If rushed the cervix can be pry ed open and torn. Naturally the body will open itself and hormone levels will tell the body to bleed and flush itself out. There is wisdom in allowing the body to do what it is programmed to do. Not only does this allow the body to complete the cycle fully but it also allows for a woman's emotions to come full circle and complete their cycle as well.
I experienced a miscarriage before I became pregnant with my youngest daughter. I have always had a hard time getting pregnant but found myself 'with child' somewhat easily this time. I was overjoyed and sicker than a dog! I continued feeling this way for a few weeks and then I realized one day I was no longer sick. I began to worry. I was about 14 weeks along and I knew something wasn't right. Then, just like clock work I began to bleed. With the bleeding came intense cramps and labor like pains. I spent most of the day in and out of bed and slowly, but surely, my body released this little life that wasn't meant for this world. I drank quarts of red raspberry tea to support my female organs and I kept the Shepard's Purse close by in case I began bleeding too heavily. With the support of a midwife friend I was able to handle the miscarriage at home and do it safely. Throughout the process I held on to the belief that my body knew what it needed to do and I just needed to follow along. My emotions were running high and I was devastated that I'd lost this little fetus so full of potential and dreams. I grieved for about two weeks and felt the hollowness in my uterus. I ached for this baby I had lost! I allowed myself to mourn the loss and I took it easy until I felt better, emotionally and physically. When the cycle was complete I felt cleansed and renewed and ready to move ahead. Four months later I found myself pregnant once again and this time I was rewarded with a beautiful, baby girl nine months later!
We cannot doubt the wisdom of our bodies. We shouldn't forget that we were made to reproduce and therefore, contain everything we need deep within ourselves to do this perfectly. Miscarriages happen and they are hard. They teach us so much about ourselves and our bodies and how to trust in what we are. I believe the medical world doesn't allow our bodies to do what they will naturally do on their own. They rush the process and rush our emotions. We should remember to allow ourselves to do what we feel is natural first and only if we need emergency care should we rush to the medical world for help.
A miscarriage is very common and many women have gone through at least one at some time in their lives. It reminds us of who we are and of how fragile, yet strong our bodies can be. Trust in the wisdom of your body...you will gain many rich experiences if you do.

I feel like I've been saying the same things for years about the vast difference between the medical model and midwifery model of care that I'm at risk of sounding like a broken record! Yet, women all around me are completely unaware of the differences and are expecting something different from their OB/Gyn not knowing that they are trying to squeeze lemon juice from an apple, so to speak! Here's a recent story; my friend is going the conventional route with her pregnancy and seeing an OB for her care. She will deliver in the hospital, but yet feels as though her doctor is out of touch and very impersonal. After a few afternoon chats with me she went online and wrote up a birth plan. Excitedly, she took it to her next appointment with her doctor and he said, "What's a birth plan? I've never seen one of these!" Without further adue she put the papers away and nothing more was said. She was shocked and it was an eye opener for her and she wondered how open he will be to her natural childbirth desires at the time of labor! When I heard this story I just shook my head knowingly! Sadly, this is very common and as consumers of childbirth we are choosing time after time medical personnel who don't know anything other than epidural, medicated birth! We're expecting something 'fairy-taleish' from our care providers when they are unwilling to listen or come around to "unconventional" ideas and wishes. Women keep choosing the medical model of care and expecting the midwifery model out of their doctors! It doesn't work!

I went over recently to check on this same friend's baby; mom was unsure of movement and being overdue she was a bit worried. I arrived with my Doppler in hand and started palpating (feeling the position of her baby) her tummy. She asked me, "What are you doing?" and I was surprised her doctor had never done this before to her! I explained how you can feel the position of the baby, see how they react to your touch and find the position of the head all through simple touching. She was surprised! Another eye opener to her quality of care! We listened to the baby's heartbeat...all was well. She just needed some reassurance and education on going past dates and how it feels and what to expect. A quick 15 minute visit gave her more information and assurance than her previous appointments with the OB.

She complained that her Dr. always has to pull out her chart to remember her when she goes in to his office and she related the lack of trust or intimacy with him. How can you expect to have the birth experience you want when you don't feel comfortable or close to your care provider? What are we, as women, expecting from standard American prenatal care in the medical world?

I live in Southern Utah where the options for pregnant mothers is very limited. Either you can deliver in the hospital with a doctor like I've described or you can choose a midwife who delivers at home. There is no go between in this part of the state. It makes women's choices very limited and you can understand why these women continue to hope for something better with their traditional doctors but receive the same, on your back legs in stirrups, treatment. The epidural rate for our local hospital is near 90%! The cesarean section rate is nearly 35%! Knowing these statistics women should expect to receive a numerous amount of interventions during their labors and births and not be surprised. Sad as that is, it is the cold hard truth!

Which is why you can feel my frustration when I relay these stories, time and time again, and yet nothing changes in our area. Doctors still deliver many hundred medicated babies per month here, and do so, without much opposition from their patients. Once the experience is said and done and moms are holding their bundles of joy the frustration falls off and in comes a rush of hormones and moms look to the doctors and say "Thank you." How can the doctors know what women really want if they are unwilling to say so??

As an advocate of natural childbirth and one who practices the midwifery model of care I have to put these stories out of my mind and continue blazing the trail I'm on. Yes, I feel the sadness and loss of empowerment when women relay these experiences to me, but yet I can't change them. Only until women agree that the current prenatal and labor care is less than acceptable and speak to their doctors about it and demand a change, it will remain the same. I'm only one person and sadly, cannot change the world, but I can change the world for one family, one mom/baby at a time with a natural, nurturing childbirth experience.

To those moms who take the road less traveled and who do so, time and time again, I salute you! You are the pioneers of natural childbirth in the 21st century. Why can't we learn from history...we've already been through this at least twice before. Take back your rights of womanhood and reproductive choices and demand what you want! You are the only ones who can change the tides.

Midwifery Consultant and Doula

I just got some great news from a dear friend! She called me and uttered the two words I love to hear, "I'm pregnant!" Those two words take me back to my three pregnancies and how surprised yet satisfied I felt with my newfound accomplishment and the renewed trust I felt within my own body.

We spoke about her 'tailored to her needs arrangement' and we decided, after much consideration, that I would act as her prenatal midwife and then become her doula when she delivers in the hospital. Sounds like a wonderful melting of two professions...especially for those who wish to deliver in hospital and yet get treated like a queen during pregnancy!

As a homebirth midwife I want to give every woman the knowledge and subsequent empowerment that comes by making her own, informed decisions throughout her pregnancy and delivery. I am here to offer information, options, be a good listener and give good advice that will walk each woman down the path of bringing a new life into this world. This 'arrangement' that we have made excites me to all of it's possibilities! I can give her complete and thorough prenatal care and consulting, all the while she can also see an OB, and then I can accompany them through the labor and delivery of their baby too! I think this is the best of both worlds!

The thought of my dear friend and our new relationship makes me feel a little tingly inside! I find myself waiting at stoplights in my car and my thoughts will wander off and suddenly I'll remember the recent news and smile! This is what makes me truly joyful! I think I'll pick some sunflowers from my garden and bring them into my dining room table to celebrate! Summer is full of possibilites!

Keep following along for news of this modern, yet traditional path...

Still here...still doing the same things.

I had a wonderful visit with a client of mine yesterday whom I've helped deliver two of her babies and now she's pregnant with a new one and I'm honored to be her midwife, once again. She called me a few months ago when I thought I might take a hiatus from midwifery all together...I told her to give me a few days to decide if I would help her again...the next day I called her back and said, "YES!" I know, I know...the past few posts have been a roller coaster ride, so thanks for hanging on! They've been a mental ride for me because I was stressing over my title, my calling in life, my designated profession...when I should have just been enjoying the ride! UGH...midlife crisis, shall we say???! Perimenopause? What?

Anyway, the prenatal last evening with my dear friend and newly pregnant again Mom was absolutely rewarding and fabulous and when she left I thought to myself, "I love this...how could I ever say I was done with this? This is where my heart lies...this is what makes me tick. I am so invigorated!"

We talked about nutrition, varicose veins, supplements and heartburn and yet we connected as two women who know how stressful life can be. We connected when we told our stories and shed a few tears. I nodded knowingly and held the space for her to vent and give her the empathy she needed. It was therapeutic for both of us; a match made in heaven , I suppose. Just when I thought I had all of my future figured out...I'm still here doing the same things I've been doing for the past 12 1/2 years. I guess I'm destined to be a midwife, natural childbirth advocate, a part time elem. art teacher and a graduate student all at the same time. Isn't life wonderful?