The Extinction of Birth?

Knowing that the number one surgery for women today is a Cesarean and it is on the rise world-wide reaching 90% in countries like Brazil and over 30% in the United States--we have but one choice and that is to stand together this month in awareness.

What is the impact of such a dramatic change in the way women give birth? As French Obstetrician Michel Odent said so frighteningly and eloquently at the 2009 Midwifery Today conference, birth as defined as women birthing their babies under their own power is nearing ZERO percent.

In other words, birth as we know it is nearing extinction.

What can we do to make a difference? How can we move to see a reality that fits the mama-wisdom that is held in memory in our bones?

Start this month with supporting Cesarean Awareness and Prevention.

SEVEN STEPS TO CESAREAN PREVENTION

(Adapted from an article by Judy Edmonds, CPM)
1. Understand Why
-Cultural beliefs, medical advancements/acceptance, Disruption of the natural process
2. Realize the Danger
-maternal mortality is 4-8x higher than in vaginal birth, 200% increase in pelvic injury and uterine infection, 2-6% of babies accidently cut/injured during the delivery, increase in postpartum complications (hemorrahge, gallbladder diseases, genitourinary problems), breastfeeding problems, increase in baby intervention/"work-ups", large permanent physical scarring, emotional trauma.
3. Consider the Cost
Immediate cost of a cesarean is about twice a vaginal birth and does not yet include the long-term costs of additional healthcare needed for mom and baby
4. Acknowledge the Aftermath (postpartum healing/bonding with baby)
A significant number of women will require post-cesarean rehospitalization for associated complications and some even maternal death. Subsequent pregnancies may have additional complications. Postpartum depression and emotional trauma to the family can extend the dangers associated with cesarean delivery.
5. Educate Others
The only way that we as a society will be able to see a paradigm shift is to find ways to educate eachother on the value of natural, organic birth.
6. Take Action
 Seek Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC), Join ICAN . Support a Mom Today! Blog, write, share, discuss. Seek good nutrition and supportive providers. Hire a doula (reduce Cesarean Birth by 50%)
7. Provide Leadership
Become a Doula . Donate to the Safe Motherhood Quilt Project founded by Ina May Gaskin

ICAN's Vaginal Birth After Cesarean Checklist:

www.icanofportland.org, www.ican-online.org

1. Read good pregnancy and Vaginal Birth After Cesarean books. “The VBAC Companion” by Diane Korte and “Natural Childbirth After Cesarean” by Karis and Crawford and Ina May Gaskin’s Guide to Childbirth.
2. Focus on good nutrition and moderate exercise. For information on nutrition, we recommend: “What Every Pregnant Woman Should Know” by Dr. Tom Brewer www.blueribbonbaby.org
3.  Take a VBAC, refresher or other quality independent childbirth preparation. Even though you may have taken classes in a previous pregnancy, a review will help you prepare and process for this birth.
4.  Enlist the support of an encouraging care provider. Find a birthplace and caregiver who already provide the options you want. Find someone who believes in VBAC, has a VBAC success rate over 75% and a cesarean rate that is lower than the community average. If you are unsure about any recommendations given, get a second opinion. Trust your intuition.
5. Hire a Doula. It is worth every penny to be reassured and supported during labor by someone who believes birth is a natural function.
6. Write a birth plan. Birth plans can facilitate discussion between you and your care provider. Having a birth plan does not guarantee that you will get the birth your ideal birth. Discuss everything that is important to you with your care provider, putting it all into your birth plan. Make extra copies to be put in your chart. Know your hospital’s VBAC policies and negotiate well before the birth for anything different.
7. Establish a safe and supportive birth.
8.  Artificial induction should be avoided, if possible. Medical induction is linked with high rupture rates and many interventions.
9.  Try a variety of positions. Instead of lying down, try standing or walking. Try the birth ball. Squatting to push can be most effective. Try walking the halls. Try dancing with your partner.
10.  Ask for additional time to try non-medical methods to stimulate labor if your labor is not progressing. These include: change of position, walking, nipple stimulation, aromatherapy, and acupressure. Every labor is different.
11. Continue your calorie and fluid intake. Labor is work and takes energy.
12. Avoid medical intervention whenever possible. Continuous electronic fetal monitoring (EMF) may restrict your movement. Ask for noninvasive options. Ask what will be done with the results.
13. Avoiding an epidural may increase your chance for a vaginal birth. An epidural interferes with the baby getting optimally positioned and will reduce your ability to push effectively. Try other pain relief measures, such as: hot/cold compresses, bath/shower, tens unit, massage, relaxation, guided imagery, birth ball. If you start to think you really need an epidural, give yourself a few more contractions, or request that you be checked one more time. You may be moving quickly into transition without realizing it.
14. Practice relaxation and visualization throughout your pregnancy.
15. Many cesareans are done for posterior presentation. We recommend, “Understanding and Teaching Optimal Fetal Positioning” by Jean Sutton and Pauline Scott.
16.   Work on leftover emotions from previous cesarean births. Two wonderful books are: “Rebounding From Childbirth” by Lynn Madsen’s and “Ended Beginnings” by Claudia Panuthos.
17. Feel good about yourself and your relationships. It is important to keep a positive outlook.
18.  Enlist the sincere support of family and friends. Remember that according to medical studies VBAC is usually safer for both you and your baby than a repeat cesarean. Let your family know how much you need their unconditional emotional support.
19. Trust, cooperate with and listen to you body and baby. Establish a rhythm with your own unique labor pattern.
20. Connect with other women who share you same experience. Attend VBAC support meetings. Read “The VBAC Experience” by Lynn Baptisti Richards and “Artemis Speaks” by Nan Koehler
21.  Believe in yourself and the birth process. Believe that you are capable of delivering your baby vaginally. Connect with your inner self, resources and abilities. Focus on the positive aspects of your pregnancy.