Wise words from wonderful French doctor Micheal Odent posted by Sally on Mar 17th!
Not all mothers will have Postpartum Depression but it is much more common than we might think. Here are some things partners and others can do to help if a new mother is experiencing PPD.
http://joyinbirthing.com/FrameFiles/postpartum%20blues.htm
~J~
Friday, March 27, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Gentle C-section
I thought this Q&A by Michel Odent at Mothering.com might be of interest.
Q: We now find ourselves preparing for a cesarean birth. We are wondering what things would be helpful to keep in mind/plan for/request in order to have the gentlest birth possible considering the circumstances.
A: The best way to deviate as little as possible from the physiological model of birth would be that the medical team is comfortable with the principle of an elective in-labor cesarean. In other words, the medical team would accept to wait until the day when you are in labor to perform an "in-labor non-emergency cesarean." This way it is a guarantee that the baby will have given a signal indicating that his or her lungs are mature. We know today that the baby participates in the initiation of labor. Furthermore, during labor contractions, the baby is exposed to hormones that make more complete the maturation of his or her lungs. This is why, as all pediatricians know, there is an increased risk of respiratory problems during the days following a cesarean performed before labor starts. And—we never know—if you have the possibility to be in labor with nobody around but an experienced, low-profile, and silent midwife, the birth might go faster than what you can imagine. Many women who gave birth by cesarean to their first baby because the pelvis was much too small give birth easily by the vaginal route to their second baby—if they are in a situation of absolute privacy.
~s~
Q: We now find ourselves preparing for a cesarean birth. We are wondering what things would be helpful to keep in mind/plan for/request in order to have the gentlest birth possible considering the circumstances.
A: The best way to deviate as little as possible from the physiological model of birth would be that the medical team is comfortable with the principle of an elective in-labor cesarean. In other words, the medical team would accept to wait until the day when you are in labor to perform an "in-labor non-emergency cesarean." This way it is a guarantee that the baby will have given a signal indicating that his or her lungs are mature. We know today that the baby participates in the initiation of labor. Furthermore, during labor contractions, the baby is exposed to hormones that make more complete the maturation of his or her lungs. This is why, as all pediatricians know, there is an increased risk of respiratory problems during the days following a cesarean performed before labor starts. And—we never know—if you have the possibility to be in labor with nobody around but an experienced, low-profile, and silent midwife, the birth might go faster than what you can imagine. Many women who gave birth by cesarean to their first baby because the pelvis was much too small give birth easily by the vaginal route to their second baby—if they are in a situation of absolute privacy.
~s~
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Monday, March 2, 2009
Emotional healing
One of our readers has decided to share her birth healing journey online at Emotional Healing from Cesarean. Go visit Kara's blog and share your thoughts! Everyone could use a little birth healing, I think, and we can all cheer each other on.
As I type this, I realize that most of my posts for AWC involve homebirth, but that is not our main purpose. AWC, I believe, wants parents to understand their options, and their inherent capability to birth babies, and make their own decisions. It just so happens that the politics surrounding homebirth make interesting reading to me, a study in how government and private policy work and how we can be involved in that process. I'll try to branch out, I promise!
As I type this, I realize that most of my posts for AWC involve homebirth, but that is not our main purpose. AWC, I believe, wants parents to understand their options, and their inherent capability to birth babies, and make their own decisions. It just so happens that the politics surrounding homebirth make interesting reading to me, a study in how government and private policy work and how we can be involved in that process. I'll try to branch out, I promise!
Birth regulations in Australia
In Homebirths May Have to Be Secret, the possible effects of proposed laws about practicing midwifery are discussed. My understanding (and I may be totally wrong) is that medicine in Australia loosely resembles the UK's socialized system. The proposed changes to midwives include requiring them to carry "professional indemnity" insurance. Is that the same as "liability" or "malpractice?" The thing is, no insurance carrier is prepared to offer such insurance to midwives, making them ineligible to practice legally.
Many people, including parents, midwives and some obstetricians, are calling for change that would leave homebirth legal, if not improve the situation.
The way it stands now, midwives are legal, but don't get reimbursement for their services, so parents pay out of pocket, whereas hospital birth is covered by the government insurance.
One mother, who is pregnant and planning a homebirth, put it this way: "It's ridiculous to effectively make homebirth illegal, when other countries like Britain have publicly funded homebirth programs," Ms McLean said.
Indeed it is.
Many people, including parents, midwives and some obstetricians, are calling for change that would leave homebirth legal, if not improve the situation.
The way it stands now, midwives are legal, but don't get reimbursement for their services, so parents pay out of pocket, whereas hospital birth is covered by the government insurance.
One mother, who is pregnant and planning a homebirth, put it this way: "It's ridiculous to effectively make homebirth illegal, when other countries like Britain have publicly funded homebirth programs," Ms McLean said.
Indeed it is.
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