I was reading some birth stories today and I love what this lady says. She says it so perfectly that I decided to go ahead and post it.
"We are "taught" to fear birth, not embrace it. We are treated as if we are not "qualified" to understand the process or reason to give life which leaves us disoriented, depressed and detached. We are indoctrinated with myth instead of truth to support an insignificant and unneeded field of "medicine". To neonatal and infant surgeons, I tip my hat of respect to you; but to the many men and women OB's who "manage" normal pregnancies and meddle with a natural process turning it from peaceful to pathological for sake of experimentation, self importance or money; you are to me, a tool of ignorance that has injured many generations of innocence. For you I have pity.
If my story plays even a small part to change the evolution of though concerning birth in just one woman and help her "UN"learn the lies and deception that has forced many of us into unnecessary situations, procedures and in some cases statistics, and help her trust her body; then I would forever be grateful, humbled and satisfied. Our body was designed to give birth, and we should not tread lightly on the canvas of the one who created them. Let the truth be the healing balm to hurting wombs everywhere."
http://www.empoweredchildbirth.com/stories/Darla_Jessica.html
This is an AMAZING read and I highly recommend the time it takes to read it.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Fetus Ejection Reflex
I've been doing some reading on Fetus Ejection Reflex (FER) and have found the concept most intriguing. While I never knew there was an actual term for it, I know that this is how my body handles delivering it's babies. During FER a woman may suddenly have a small outburst of fear. It's typical to hear "I'm not going to make it", "I can't do this", or some other seemingly irrational saying. Her body may arch forward into more of an upright position. She has an overwhelming ability to push that can't be stopped even if trying. In a hospital setting, labor is often seen as 3 stages...early labor, transition and the final stage of labor (which is pushing). During these stages, interventions are taken at each step of the way and some of these interventions decrease the mothers ability to know and understand FER. For instance, pitocin being used in the early stages, brings on unnatural contractions that are not what the body wants to do. Instead of the uterus working from top to bottom to push baby out (like a wave) the uterus has intense contractions through the whole thing and no wave pattern is created. A natural contraction also has a peak and a low point, with a small resting phase in between contractions. When pitocin is used, the contractions are right on top of each other, with no rest between, and causing the uterus to get overly tired and 'stressed' causing it to not work the way it naturally should to expel the baby. Throughout labor, vitals are checked, nurses come in and out, monitors are beeping. This all causes a bit of 'uneasiness' even if mom doesn't fully realize it. It still causes her to be uncomfortable. There is at some point in every woman's labor, a point where she wants to make noise or scream, but many women don't want people to hear them so they try to fight that urge, putting more pressure on themselves and causing their body to not react the way it was created to. Those kind of stresses all work AGAINST labor and the way that the body is supposed to react to the baby. As the final stage approaches and a woman is fully dilated, she is often told be being pushing. Many women can push for hours, even though their body has no desire to. This pushing can cause unnecessary tearing as it is putting an abnormal amount of pressure onto the cervix and vaginal area. Oxygen can be decreased to both mom and baby as mom holds her breathe to push. It causes the mother to be overly tired from working harder than she needs to. Swelling in the vaginal area can (and does often) occure, causing even more intense tearing and pain. The mothers blood pressure can rise as she is working harder than she probably ever has in her life and is becoming stressed. The list goes on and on.
A mother who is left to her own instincts however, will have very few (if any) of these above mentioned issues. Her body knows when it needs to push and it will push on it's own, without the extra effort from her. Usually when this happens in a hospital and a woman is finally getting that overwhelming urge to push, she is told to STOP pushing and to 'pant'. Who is the 'genius' who thought this process up?? Talk about 100% unnatural! It's like telling someone to not their next breath. It's not possible. The body needs to breathe just like in that moment, the body needs to push out the baby. A baby is eventually going to come out, whether a mom tries to not push (and instead pants) or not. A baby isn't going to stay in the body forever.
I have 3 examples in my own 4 pregnancies of FER. With baby #2, my labor progressed quickly. I went from 7cm-10cm in a matter of a minute. The nurse had just checked me and left the room when I felt the need to push. Of course, being the all knowing, 'educated' nurse, she knew more about my body than I did and said it wasn't possible since I was only 7cm. I told my husband that she better get in there or the baby would be on the floor. Reluctantly she came back, rechecked and sure enough, I was 10cm and baby was 'right there'. She of course paniced since nothing was ready and the doctor was no where to be seen. She did the traditional "pant, don't push" line and went to call the doctor. I remember telling the intern at the end of my bed could catch this baby cause there was no way I could keep it in, even if I tried. The head crowned and the doctor got there just in time to give me a VERY unnecessary episiotomy catch the baby. He did nothing to assist in the delivery. My body had taken over and my body had delivered the baby, without any help or hinderance from me.
With my 3rd baby, I was in the car on the way to the hospital. My husband was out of town on business and baby was 3 weeks early. I remember telling my mom "My water just broke. You need to go fast because it won't be long now" and then seconds later saying "I NEED to push". She too said "Don't push. You need to blow". I was holding on to the "Oh Shit" bar at the top of the car and pulling my bottom off of the seat. I knew baby was crowning and was afraid it would deliver and didn't want to smoosh it. (Funny sounding when I think back on it). I tried with everything in me to not push. We pulled up the ER and by the time they got me on a table and got my pants off, the head was already out. There was no intentional pushing my baby girl out. My body took over and FER took control.
With my fourth pregnancy I decided that I didn't need the outside 'help' and that my body knew exactly what it needed to do. I decided early on that this baby would be born at home. I remember that feeling of 'ring of fire' as baby's head began to crown. That was the last I remember of straining. I put my hands on the points that were burning and my baby boy slid out. There was no effort from me except for pulling him from the water and to my chest. I never once forced a push out. My body gently slid him out.
So, while there will alway be the camp that says that 'purple pushing' is necessary, there is NO proof that needless pushing increases the speed of labor. In fact, the evidence is beginning to show the exact opposite to be true. It works in reverse of what the desired goal is.
For further research on FER:
http://www.activebirthpools.com/chapter3.html
http://www.wombecology.com/fetusejection.html
http://www.midwiferytoday.com/enews/enews0617.asp
A mother who is left to her own instincts however, will have very few (if any) of these above mentioned issues. Her body knows when it needs to push and it will push on it's own, without the extra effort from her. Usually when this happens in a hospital and a woman is finally getting that overwhelming urge to push, she is told to STOP pushing and to 'pant'. Who is the 'genius' who thought this process up?? Talk about 100% unnatural! It's like telling someone to not their next breath. It's not possible. The body needs to breathe just like in that moment, the body needs to push out the baby. A baby is eventually going to come out, whether a mom tries to not push (and instead pants) or not. A baby isn't going to stay in the body forever.
I have 3 examples in my own 4 pregnancies of FER. With baby #2, my labor progressed quickly. I went from 7cm-10cm in a matter of a minute. The nurse had just checked me and left the room when I felt the need to push. Of course, being the all knowing, 'educated' nurse, she knew more about my body than I did and said it wasn't possible since I was only 7cm. I told my husband that she better get in there or the baby would be on the floor. Reluctantly she came back, rechecked and sure enough, I was 10cm and baby was 'right there'. She of course paniced since nothing was ready and the doctor was no where to be seen. She did the traditional "pant, don't push" line and went to call the doctor. I remember telling the intern at the end of my bed could catch this baby cause there was no way I could keep it in, even if I tried. The head crowned and the doctor got there just in time to give me a VERY unnecessary episiotomy catch the baby. He did nothing to assist in the delivery. My body had taken over and my body had delivered the baby, without any help or hinderance from me.
With my 3rd baby, I was in the car on the way to the hospital. My husband was out of town on business and baby was 3 weeks early. I remember telling my mom "My water just broke. You need to go fast because it won't be long now" and then seconds later saying "I NEED to push". She too said "Don't push. You need to blow". I was holding on to the "Oh Shit" bar at the top of the car and pulling my bottom off of the seat. I knew baby was crowning and was afraid it would deliver and didn't want to smoosh it. (Funny sounding when I think back on it). I tried with everything in me to not push. We pulled up the ER and by the time they got me on a table and got my pants off, the head was already out. There was no intentional pushing my baby girl out. My body took over and FER took control.
With my fourth pregnancy I decided that I didn't need the outside 'help' and that my body knew exactly what it needed to do. I decided early on that this baby would be born at home. I remember that feeling of 'ring of fire' as baby's head began to crown. That was the last I remember of straining. I put my hands on the points that were burning and my baby boy slid out. There was no effort from me except for pulling him from the water and to my chest. I never once forced a push out. My body gently slid him out.
So, while there will alway be the camp that says that 'purple pushing' is necessary, there is NO proof that needless pushing increases the speed of labor. In fact, the evidence is beginning to show the exact opposite to be true. It works in reverse of what the desired goal is.
For further research on FER:
http://www.activebirthpools.com/chapter3.html
http://www.wombecology.com/fetusejection.html
http://www.midwiferytoday.com/enews/enews0617.asp
A substitute for natural pregnancy...*A little humor*
A little *humor*
A substitute for natural pregnancy...
--Author Unknown
A substitute for natural pregnancy has been developed by Breed Bronson, Inc., makers of Infantill formula and other baby products. The YOUterus/Plus-centa unit was introduced in pharmacies and discount stores nationwide today.
A company representative explained the rationale for the product: "Many women find it inconvenient to carry their fetuses and maintain a healthy food supply for them for an entire nine months. Pregnancy changes their figures, can interfere with job performance, and requires avoiding drugs and junk food. And some men don't like to be reminded that female sex organs don't exist solely for them."
After a woman's fetus is implanted in a YOUterus/Plus-centa, the unit is simply kept in contact with a body having a temperature of 98.6* F. "But after the second trimester, " commented the representative, "the fetus can maintain its own warmth. It can be left completely alone, except for periodic refilling of the Plus-centa feeding solution."
When asked if such technology would be an acceptable substitute for a woman's experience of new life developing within her, the representative stated: "We believe it will be fairly common for women to carry their own babies the first few weeks, when the thrill of motherhood is new. But soon, anyone experiencing nausea will be referred to our product. Eventually, anyone appearing pregnant after 6 months will be considered a fanatic."
"Eventually there will be psychologists, completely ignorant of the history of human reproduction, who will state that after 6 months, natural gestation is harmful to the fetus' independence."
All preliminary research has indicated that artificially fed fetuses are significantly less healthy than their naturally nourished counterparts. The Breed Bronson representative commented: "The literature accompanying the units will state that natural pregnancy is preferable. But that won't affect sales. We'll spend millions on freebies to obstetricians, and they'll convey to their patients that natural pregnancy is not greatly important, just a matter of personal preference."
"Through advertising dollars, we'll also enlist the media. Television will present natural pregnancy as abnormal by never showing it. 'Yes, we're expecting,' your favorite sitcom character will say, 'our housekeeper is carrying the baby right now.' Parents will come to believe that pregnancy, especially in public, is immodest."
"In natural pregnancy, only mom carries and nourishes the baby. With a YOUterus/Plus-centa, dad, grandma and sitter will all have equal access. We'll promote this idea that democracy, and not quality or safety, is what is important in fetal feeding."
When asked if the company was concerned about government regulation of a product proven harmful to developing babies, the representative stated: "Are you kidding? We project the government will buy one third of our units to distribute to poor women."
A substitute for natural pregnancy...
--Author Unknown
A substitute for natural pregnancy has been developed by Breed Bronson, Inc., makers of Infantill formula and other baby products. The YOUterus/Plus-centa unit was introduced in pharmacies and discount stores nationwide today.
A company representative explained the rationale for the product: "Many women find it inconvenient to carry their fetuses and maintain a healthy food supply for them for an entire nine months. Pregnancy changes their figures, can interfere with job performance, and requires avoiding drugs and junk food. And some men don't like to be reminded that female sex organs don't exist solely for them."
After a woman's fetus is implanted in a YOUterus/Plus-centa, the unit is simply kept in contact with a body having a temperature of 98.6* F. "But after the second trimester, " commented the representative, "the fetus can maintain its own warmth. It can be left completely alone, except for periodic refilling of the Plus-centa feeding solution."
When asked if such technology would be an acceptable substitute for a woman's experience of new life developing within her, the representative stated: "We believe it will be fairly common for women to carry their own babies the first few weeks, when the thrill of motherhood is new. But soon, anyone experiencing nausea will be referred to our product. Eventually, anyone appearing pregnant after 6 months will be considered a fanatic."
"Eventually there will be psychologists, completely ignorant of the history of human reproduction, who will state that after 6 months, natural gestation is harmful to the fetus' independence."
All preliminary research has indicated that artificially fed fetuses are significantly less healthy than their naturally nourished counterparts. The Breed Bronson representative commented: "The literature accompanying the units will state that natural pregnancy is preferable. But that won't affect sales. We'll spend millions on freebies to obstetricians, and they'll convey to their patients that natural pregnancy is not greatly important, just a matter of personal preference."
"Through advertising dollars, we'll also enlist the media. Television will present natural pregnancy as abnormal by never showing it. 'Yes, we're expecting,' your favorite sitcom character will say, 'our housekeeper is carrying the baby right now.' Parents will come to believe that pregnancy, especially in public, is immodest."
"In natural pregnancy, only mom carries and nourishes the baby. With a YOUterus/Plus-centa, dad, grandma and sitter will all have equal access. We'll promote this idea that democracy, and not quality or safety, is what is important in fetal feeding."
When asked if the company was concerned about government regulation of a product proven harmful to developing babies, the representative stated: "Are you kidding? We project the government will buy one third of our units to distribute to poor women."
Monday Mournings *1-14-08*
What an exciting weekend. On Thursday Tim took his last CLEP test and passed it. He needed 12 more credits to start DC so was planning to CLEP a basic science and Analyzing Lit. He did the science on Wednesday and lit on Thursday, turned in the reports from them and got approved to start the DC program this morning. The weekend was a busy one, filled with last minute cleaning, laundry and getting ready for this early morning. Tim was so antzy and anxious that he was driving Josette and I crazy and we couldn't wait for him to start back to school!
Classes this morning were at 8am so we had to leave by 7. I have this theory that they start your first day in DC with the 'exciting' professors and then hit you day 2 with the dull, boring ones. Today we had an hour with Dr Koch (pronounced Coke) for Chiropractic Philosophy, followed by 2 hours with Dr Silverman for BioChem I and then 2 hours of Dr Cane for Anatomy & Physiology. The whole day just had a different 'feel' to it. As pre-DC students, we wait for the day we get to Annex C and join the ranks of the true blue chiropractic students. Granted, we are bottom of the totom pole, but somehow there is a sense of "we've made it!". We could almost hear the angels singing as we walked in the door! LOL Here's just a couple pictures from our first day as future doctors of America and the world. :) The journey has begun!!!!
Kelly & Deanna
"Drs Milano & Milano"
Tim & Phil
Classes this morning were at 8am so we had to leave by 7. I have this theory that they start your first day in DC with the 'exciting' professors and then hit you day 2 with the dull, boring ones. Today we had an hour with Dr Koch (pronounced Coke) for Chiropractic Philosophy, followed by 2 hours with Dr Silverman for BioChem I and then 2 hours of Dr Cane for Anatomy & Physiology. The whole day just had a different 'feel' to it. As pre-DC students, we wait for the day we get to Annex C and join the ranks of the true blue chiropractic students. Granted, we are bottom of the totom pole, but somehow there is a sense of "we've made it!". We could almost hear the angels singing as we walked in the door! LOL Here's just a couple pictures from our first day as future doctors of America and the world. :) The journey has begun!!!!
Birth Plan for a Natural Hospital Birth
If a homebirth or clinic birth isn't an option for you, you may want to put together a written birth plan to give to your doctor so you can achieve what you are wanting in a natural birth. This was written by a friend of mine who did an amazing job with her birth plan. The couple things I would also suggest are putting a sign on your L&D room that says "Natural Birth in place. Please do not offer an epidural. Thank you for your support and encouragement." The reason for this is that nurses are almost programed to come in and offer an epidural or pain meds. It's routine and they don't think about which mom wants them and which has said in a plan that she doesn't. Keep your birth plan as short and to the point as you can. When you fill it with too much information, it runs the risk of being thrown in a file and not ever really read by the staff.
Also, sitting down with your doctor or midwife around the time of your 36 week appointment and going over your birth plan is also advisable. This will let your doctor/midwife actually hear your desires and review them with you. Continue to push for the things that you want in your labor and delivery. Remember, this is about YOU, the patient/client, not the doctors stop watch or hospital.
This is my birth plan:
My wishes for Childbirth - Insert Name
Estimated Due Date: Insert Due Date
Patient of Insert Dr Name
Scheduled to deliver at Hospital Name
Dear Doctor/Midwives Name,
This birth plan is intended to express the preferences and desires concerning the labor and birth of my daughter/son/child. It is not intended to be a script. I understand the need to remain flexible and will be prepared for any necessary last minute changes in care. However, I need to be informed (medical reason, risks, benefits and alternatives) of each procedure and given time for discussion before it is done, so that I have the opportunity to be involved in my daughter's birth and how it is managed.
I plan for my husband/mom/sister/doula/midwife (and include their names) to be my birthing coach. As soon as possible after birth I would like for my other children to be able to come and meet his brother/sister. My mother/father (include their names) will accompany him.
I would prefer that no students, interns, residents or non-essential personnel be present during my labor or the birth.
I would like to take still photographs and make a video recording during labor and the birth.
Labor
I would like to be free to walk around during labor.
I wish to be able to move around and change position at will throughout labor.
I would like to be able to have fluids by mouth throughout the first stage of labor.
I do not want an IV unless I become dehydrated.
Monitoring
I do not wish to have continuous fetal monitoring unless it is required by the condition of my baby.
I do not want an internal monitor unless my daughter has shown some sign of distress.
Labor Augmentation/Induction
I do not wish to have the amniotic membrane ruptured artificially unless signs of fetal distress require internal monitoring.
I would prefer to be allowed to try changing position and other natural methods (walking, nipple stimulation) before pitocin is administered.
Anesthesia/Pain Medication
I realize that many pain medications exist — I'll ask for them if I need them.
Cesarean
Unless absolutely necessary, I would like to avoid a Cesarean.
If a Cesarean delivery is indicated, I would like to be fully informed and to participate in the decision-making process.
I would like my husband/support person present at all times if my baby requires a Cesarean delivery.
I wish to have an epidural for anesthesia
If my daughter is not in distress; she should be given to my husband immediately after birth.
Episiotomy
I would prefer not to have an episiotomy unless absolutely required for the baby's safety.
I would appreciate guidance in when to push and when to stop pushing so the perineum can stretch. I would also like to be given the chance to wait for my body to need to push, not just push because I'm at 10cm.
I would like a local anesthetic to repair any tear or an episiotomy.
Delivery
I would like to be allowed to choose the position in which I give birth.
I would like my husband/support person and/or nurses to support me and my legs as necessary during the pushing stage.
I would like a mirror available so I can see my baby's head when it crowns.
I would like the chance to touch my daughter's head when it crowns.
I would appreciate having the room as quiet as possible when my baby is born.
I would like to have my daughter placed on my stomach/chest immediately after delivery.
Immediately After Delivery
I would prefer that the umbilical cord stop pulsating before it is cut.
I would like to have my husband/so/support person/myself cut the cord.
I would like to hold my baby while I deliver the placenta and any tissue repairs are made.
I would like to hold my baby for at least fifteen minutes before she is examined.
I would like to have my baby evaluated and bathed in my presence.
I plan to keep my baby near me following birth and would appreciate if the evaluation of her/her can be done with him/her on my abdomen, with both of us covered by a warm blanket, unless there is an unusual situation.
If my baby must be taken from me to receive medical treatment, my husband or some other person I designate will accompany her at all times.
I would prefer to hold my baby rather than have him/her placed under heat lamps.
I do not want a routine injection of pitocin after the delivery to aid in expelling the placenta.
I would like to delay the eye medication for my baby until a couple hours after birth. (You may choose to put that you want this avoided all toghether. Be prepared with proper waiver forms if required.)
Postpartum
Unless required for health reasons, I do not wish to be separated from my baby.
I would like to have my baby 'room in' and be with me at all times.
Breastfeeding
I plan to exclusively breastfeed my baby and would like to begin nursing very shortly after birth.
Unless medically necessary, I do not wish to have any bottles given to my baby (including glucose water or plain water). (You may want to also add that this needs to first be approved by you before they say it is medically necessary and give it to the baby).
I do not want my baby to be given a pacifier.
Thank You for your Support & Encouragement in my making my birth the best it can be.
NAME _____________________________
*** Author Notification *** We ask that you notify the author of publication of her work. Kelly Milano, can be reached at: kmilano@gmail.com Please provide a link to her work on your site.Do not publish without permission of the author.
Also, sitting down with your doctor or midwife around the time of your 36 week appointment and going over your birth plan is also advisable. This will let your doctor/midwife actually hear your desires and review them with you. Continue to push for the things that you want in your labor and delivery. Remember, this is about YOU, the patient/client, not the doctors stop watch or hospital.
This is my birth plan:
My wishes for Childbirth - Insert Name
Estimated Due Date: Insert Due Date
Patient of Insert Dr Name
Scheduled to deliver at Hospital Name
Dear Doctor/Midwives Name,
This birth plan is intended to express the preferences and desires concerning the labor and birth of my daughter/son/child. It is not intended to be a script. I understand the need to remain flexible and will be prepared for any necessary last minute changes in care. However, I need to be informed (medical reason, risks, benefits and alternatives) of each procedure and given time for discussion before it is done, so that I have the opportunity to be involved in my daughter's birth and how it is managed.
I plan for my husband/mom/sister/doula/midwife (and include their names) to be my birthing coach. As soon as possible after birth I would like for my other children to be able to come and meet his brother/sister. My mother/father (include their names) will accompany him.
I would prefer that no students, interns, residents or non-essential personnel be present during my labor or the birth.
I would like to take still photographs and make a video recording during labor and the birth.
Labor
I would like to be free to walk around during labor.
I wish to be able to move around and change position at will throughout labor.
I would like to be able to have fluids by mouth throughout the first stage of labor.
I do not want an IV unless I become dehydrated.
Monitoring
I do not wish to have continuous fetal monitoring unless it is required by the condition of my baby.
I do not want an internal monitor unless my daughter has shown some sign of distress.
Labor Augmentation/Induction
I do not wish to have the amniotic membrane ruptured artificially unless signs of fetal distress require internal monitoring.
I would prefer to be allowed to try changing position and other natural methods (walking, nipple stimulation) before pitocin is administered.
Anesthesia/Pain Medication
I realize that many pain medications exist — I'll ask for them if I need them.
Cesarean
Unless absolutely necessary, I would like to avoid a Cesarean.
If a Cesarean delivery is indicated, I would like to be fully informed and to participate in the decision-making process.
I would like my husband/support person present at all times if my baby requires a Cesarean delivery.
I wish to have an epidural for anesthesia
If my daughter is not in distress; she should be given to my husband immediately after birth.
Episiotomy
I would prefer not to have an episiotomy unless absolutely required for the baby's safety.
I would appreciate guidance in when to push and when to stop pushing so the perineum can stretch. I would also like to be given the chance to wait for my body to need to push, not just push because I'm at 10cm.
I would like a local anesthetic to repair any tear or an episiotomy.
Delivery
I would like to be allowed to choose the position in which I give birth.
I would like my husband/support person and/or nurses to support me and my legs as necessary during the pushing stage.
I would like a mirror available so I can see my baby's head when it crowns.
I would like the chance to touch my daughter's head when it crowns.
I would appreciate having the room as quiet as possible when my baby is born.
I would like to have my daughter placed on my stomach/chest immediately after delivery.
Immediately After Delivery
I would prefer that the umbilical cord stop pulsating before it is cut.
I would like to have my husband/so/support person/myself cut the cord.
I would like to hold my baby while I deliver the placenta and any tissue repairs are made.
I would like to hold my baby for at least fifteen minutes before she is examined.
I would like to have my baby evaluated and bathed in my presence.
I plan to keep my baby near me following birth and would appreciate if the evaluation of her/her can be done with him/her on my abdomen, with both of us covered by a warm blanket, unless there is an unusual situation.
If my baby must be taken from me to receive medical treatment, my husband or some other person I designate will accompany her at all times.
I would prefer to hold my baby rather than have him/her placed under heat lamps.
I do not want a routine injection of pitocin after the delivery to aid in expelling the placenta.
I would like to delay the eye medication for my baby until a couple hours after birth. (You may choose to put that you want this avoided all toghether. Be prepared with proper waiver forms if required.)
Postpartum
Unless required for health reasons, I do not wish to be separated from my baby.
I would like to have my baby 'room in' and be with me at all times.
Breastfeeding
I plan to exclusively breastfeed my baby and would like to begin nursing very shortly after birth.
Unless medically necessary, I do not wish to have any bottles given to my baby (including glucose water or plain water). (You may want to also add that this needs to first be approved by you before they say it is medically necessary and give it to the baby).
I do not want my baby to be given a pacifier.
Thank You for your Support & Encouragement in my making my birth the best it can be.
NAME _____________________________
*** Author Notification *** We ask that you notify the author of publication of her work. Kelly Milano, can be reached at: kmilano@gmail.com Please provide a link to her work on your site.Do not publish without permission of the author.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Do the "impossible"
Do the 'impossible'
Walt Disney once said ""It's kinda fun doing the impossible." As homebirthers so often the views that others throw at us about our choice is that it is impossible. It's impossible that you can do it without drugs. It's impossible that you can do it without assistance from anyone. It's impossible that in that moment of pulling the baby out, that you can actually have the energy and desire to do it. It's impossible that you can actually have a 100% problem free delivery. It's kind of fun to do the 'impossible'. It's fun to prove them wrong and be able to educate them all at the same time. There is NOTHING impossible when you let your body work the way it was designed to work. There is NOTHING impossible about delivering a baby. While there are always complications that COULD arise, truth is they are rare and don't make for the impossible.
Knowing that everyone viewed my choice as 'impossible' made me more excited to accept the challenge and trust my body. There is an old Spanish proverb that says "To tell a woman what she can't do is to tell her what she can do". In other words, when rules and regulations are created to try to force women to all birth the same, the rise inside of women's souls will result in them doing exactly what it is you are telling them they can't do. To tell a woman she can't homebirth is certainly a challenge to many who will purposely birth at home just to show a point that a baby will come whenever and wherever it wants, whether a doctor is present or a not. Doctors don't deliver babies. MOMS deliver babies. Doctors just assist a mom in her delivery. A midwife or a husband or best friend can assist just the same. And if no one is there, the mom will still deliver the baby, for SHE is the one does all the work. No male doctor has EVER delivered a baby! EVER. He has never had a baby pass through his open cervix and out into the world. He has never felt the sensations of needing and wanting to push or of having that new baby put to his bare breast. And a male doctor never will deliver a baby. Pizzas are delivered by outsiders. Babies are delivered by moms. Next time you are asked by a well wisher "So, who will be delivering this baby?" Proudly say with a smile "I will be". Whether you have a doctor or midwife present or go completely unassisted, take pride in the fact that YOU will deliver the baby that is growing inside of you. More than likely, your doctor will just be getting in the way! ;)
Walt Disney once said ""It's kinda fun doing the impossible." As homebirthers so often the views that others throw at us about our choice is that it is impossible. It's impossible that you can do it without drugs. It's impossible that you can do it without assistance from anyone. It's impossible that in that moment of pulling the baby out, that you can actually have the energy and desire to do it. It's impossible that you can actually have a 100% problem free delivery. It's kind of fun to do the 'impossible'. It's fun to prove them wrong and be able to educate them all at the same time. There is NOTHING impossible when you let your body work the way it was designed to work. There is NOTHING impossible about delivering a baby. While there are always complications that COULD arise, truth is they are rare and don't make for the impossible.
Knowing that everyone viewed my choice as 'impossible' made me more excited to accept the challenge and trust my body. There is an old Spanish proverb that says "To tell a woman what she can't do is to tell her what she can do". In other words, when rules and regulations are created to try to force women to all birth the same, the rise inside of women's souls will result in them doing exactly what it is you are telling them they can't do. To tell a woman she can't homebirth is certainly a challenge to many who will purposely birth at home just to show a point that a baby will come whenever and wherever it wants, whether a doctor is present or a not. Doctors don't deliver babies. MOMS deliver babies. Doctors just assist a mom in her delivery. A midwife or a husband or best friend can assist just the same. And if no one is there, the mom will still deliver the baby, for SHE is the one does all the work. No male doctor has EVER delivered a baby! EVER. He has never had a baby pass through his open cervix and out into the world. He has never felt the sensations of needing and wanting to push or of having that new baby put to his bare breast. And a male doctor never will deliver a baby. Pizzas are delivered by outsiders. Babies are delivered by moms. Next time you are asked by a well wisher "So, who will be delivering this baby?" Proudly say with a smile "I will be". Whether you have a doctor or midwife present or go completely unassisted, take pride in the fact that YOU will deliver the baby that is growing inside of you. More than likely, your doctor will just be getting in the way! ;)
U/S can affect brain development
This can be pretty controversial but I thought I'd post it anyways.
Interesting article on MSN today. I've been on the side of not having u/s for the past 3 pregnancies. I don't think that they are medically necessary in most cases and think that more than not, they are done to help a mom with her fears. She needs to SEE the baby, see the head, hand, beating heart. Hearing the heartbeat isn't enough. While this study was done on mice and there are points in here about mice being smaller and therefore the machine being closer to their body, it makes ya stop and think for a minute. Do we trust our doctors SO much that we deny what research has to show us? I was just reading on another site about how she trusted her doctor and how he wouldn't put her in jeopardy or do anything that would hurt her. I don't know that I agree. Sometimes it's about big medicine and avoiding law suits, NOT your preference or desires. Anyways, read this article. I highlighted a couple parts that jumped out at me. I know it's controversial to many. There are some who will always believe a certain way, no matter what, and that is fine.
"Exposure to ultrasound can affect fetal brain development, a new study suggests. But researchers say the findings, in mice, should not discourage pregnant women from having ultrasound scans for medical reasons.
When pregnant mice were exposed to ultrasound, a small number of nerve cells in the developing brains of their fetuses failed to extend correctly in the cerebral cortex.
"Our study in mice does not mean that use of ultrasound on human fetuses for appropriate diagnostic and medical purposes should be abandoned," said lead researcher Pasko Rakic, chairman of the neurobiology department at Yale University School of Medicine.
However, he added in a telephone interview, women should avoid unnecessary ultrasound scans until more research has been done.
Dr. Joshua Copel, president-elect of the American Institute of Ultrasound Medicine, said his organization tries to discourage "entertainment" ultrasound, but considers sonograms important when there is a medical benefit.
"Anytime we're doing an ultrasound we have to think of risk versus benefit. What clinical question are we trying to answer," Copel said in a telephone interview. "It may be very important to know the exact dating of pregnancy, it's certainly helpful to know the anatomy of the fetus, but we shouldn't be holding a transducer on mom's abdomen for hours and hours and hours."
Rakic's paper said that while the effects of ultrasound in human brain development are not yet known, there are disorders thought to be the result of misplacement of brain cells during their development.
"These disorders range from mental retardation and childhood epilepsy to developmental dyslexia, autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia," the researchers said.
Their report is in Tuesday's edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Early ultrasound scans are done to determine the exact week of the pregnancy and they are also done later to check for anatomical defects and other problems.
Ultrasounds for entertainmentHowever, some expectant parents have sought scans to save as keepsakes even when they were not medically necessary, a practice the Food and Drug Administration discourages.
The Institute of Ultrasound Medicine was particularly concerned last year when it was announced that actor Tom Cruise had purchased an ultrasound machine for his pregnant fiancee, Katie Holmes, so they could do their own sonograms.
"Purchase of an ultrasound machine for private, at home use entails inappropriate operation of a prescription medical device designed for diagnostic use by a trained medical professional," the group said in a statement issued at the time.
Of mice and womenCopel, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Yale University School of Medicine, did point out that there are large differences between scanning mice and scanning people.
For example, because of their size, the distance between the scanner and the fetus is larger in people than mice, which reduces the intensity of the ultrasound. In addition, he said, the density of the cranial bones in a human baby is more than that of a tiny mouse, which further reduces exposure to the scan."
The paper noted that the developmental period of these brain cells is much longer in humans than in mice, so that exposure would be a smaller percentage of their developmental period.
However, it also pointed out that brain cell development in people is more complex and there are more cells developing, which could increase the chances of some going astray.
In Rakic's study, pregnant mice were exposed to ultrasound for various amounts of time ranging from a total exposure of 5 minutes to 420 minutes. After the baby mice were born their brains were studied and compared with those of mice whose mothers had not been exposed to ultrasound.
The study of 335 mice concluded that in those whose mothers were exposed to a total of 30 minutes or more, "a small but statistically significant number" of brain cells failed to grow into their proper position and remained scattered in incorrect parts of the brain. The number of affected cells increased with longer exposures.
The research was funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke."
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/14231914/
Also, here are some interesting comments from people on both sides of this debate. Some of these moms truly make your heart break. http://boards.live.com/MSNBCboards/thread.aspx?ThreadID=48863
Interesting article on MSN today. I've been on the side of not having u/s for the past 3 pregnancies. I don't think that they are medically necessary in most cases and think that more than not, they are done to help a mom with her fears. She needs to SEE the baby, see the head, hand, beating heart. Hearing the heartbeat isn't enough. While this study was done on mice and there are points in here about mice being smaller and therefore the machine being closer to their body, it makes ya stop and think for a minute. Do we trust our doctors SO much that we deny what research has to show us? I was just reading on another site about how she trusted her doctor and how he wouldn't put her in jeopardy or do anything that would hurt her. I don't know that I agree. Sometimes it's about big medicine and avoiding law suits, NOT your preference or desires. Anyways, read this article. I highlighted a couple parts that jumped out at me. I know it's controversial to many. There are some who will always believe a certain way, no matter what, and that is fine.
"Exposure to ultrasound can affect fetal brain development, a new study suggests. But researchers say the findings, in mice, should not discourage pregnant women from having ultrasound scans for medical reasons.
When pregnant mice were exposed to ultrasound, a small number of nerve cells in the developing brains of their fetuses failed to extend correctly in the cerebral cortex.
"Our study in mice does not mean that use of ultrasound on human fetuses for appropriate diagnostic and medical purposes should be abandoned," said lead researcher Pasko Rakic, chairman of the neurobiology department at Yale University School of Medicine.
However, he added in a telephone interview, women should avoid unnecessary ultrasound scans until more research has been done.
Dr. Joshua Copel, president-elect of the American Institute of Ultrasound Medicine, said his organization tries to discourage "entertainment" ultrasound, but considers sonograms important when there is a medical benefit.
"Anytime we're doing an ultrasound we have to think of risk versus benefit. What clinical question are we trying to answer," Copel said in a telephone interview. "It may be very important to know the exact dating of pregnancy, it's certainly helpful to know the anatomy of the fetus, but we shouldn't be holding a transducer on mom's abdomen for hours and hours and hours."
Rakic's paper said that while the effects of ultrasound in human brain development are not yet known, there are disorders thought to be the result of misplacement of brain cells during their development.
"These disorders range from mental retardation and childhood epilepsy to developmental dyslexia, autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia," the researchers said.
Their report is in Tuesday's edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Early ultrasound scans are done to determine the exact week of the pregnancy and they are also done later to check for anatomical defects and other problems.
Ultrasounds for entertainmentHowever, some expectant parents have sought scans to save as keepsakes even when they were not medically necessary, a practice the Food and Drug Administration discourages.
The Institute of Ultrasound Medicine was particularly concerned last year when it was announced that actor Tom Cruise had purchased an ultrasound machine for his pregnant fiancee, Katie Holmes, so they could do their own sonograms.
"Purchase of an ultrasound machine for private, at home use entails inappropriate operation of a prescription medical device designed for diagnostic use by a trained medical professional," the group said in a statement issued at the time.
Of mice and womenCopel, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Yale University School of Medicine, did point out that there are large differences between scanning mice and scanning people.
For example, because of their size, the distance between the scanner and the fetus is larger in people than mice, which reduces the intensity of the ultrasound. In addition, he said, the density of the cranial bones in a human baby is more than that of a tiny mouse, which further reduces exposure to the scan."
The paper noted that the developmental period of these brain cells is much longer in humans than in mice, so that exposure would be a smaller percentage of their developmental period.
However, it also pointed out that brain cell development in people is more complex and there are more cells developing, which could increase the chances of some going astray.
In Rakic's study, pregnant mice were exposed to ultrasound for various amounts of time ranging from a total exposure of 5 minutes to 420 minutes. After the baby mice were born their brains were studied and compared with those of mice whose mothers had not been exposed to ultrasound.
The study of 335 mice concluded that in those whose mothers were exposed to a total of 30 minutes or more, "a small but statistically significant number" of brain cells failed to grow into their proper position and remained scattered in incorrect parts of the brain. The number of affected cells increased with longer exposures.
The research was funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke."
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/14231914/
Also, here are some interesting comments from people on both sides of this debate. Some of these moms truly make your heart break. http://boards.live.com/MSNBCboards/thread.aspx?ThreadID=48863
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