July 2010 Archives
National C-Section Rate Still Rising! Is It Due to Fear of VBAC?
I was reading an article on the Huffington Post earlier this week (7/24/2010) entitled “New Guidelines Aim to Reduce Repeated c-Sections” and wanted to add a few thoughts on the subject. The core message of the article is that A.C.O.G. (the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) has come out with new guidelines for repeat c-sections encouraging doctors to inform their patients of the advantages (and risks) of vaginal birth after a c-section or VBAC. The new recommendation is to at least attempt a vaginal birth… Finally! Thanks to the review board, the message got to someone in charge.
The national average rate of c-section is at an all-time high (over 30%). More than 1 pregnant woman in 3 gives birth via c-section in this country! Does it sound right to you? The most evolved (technically evolved) country in the world seems to have forgotten how babies are born. It is so bad that doctors and nurses are not even trained anymore in assisting natural birth. Most L&D nurses call a vaginal birth “natural”, discounting the eventual induction or Pitocin augmentation, epidural, and episiotomy among the most common practices in hospital “natural” (read “vaginal”) birth!
A Newborn Baby by C-Section!
So yes, it’s about time that expectant women will be given the full spectrum of possibilities for a second birth, including the most reassuring, least dangerous approach of natural birth after a c-section! Although, I am not sure how unbiased the information would be when coming from the caregiver whose butt is on the line with insurance premiums through the roof and potential lawsuits lurking around. In the article, there was one MD who would ask for the parents (parents-to-be) to sign a consent after receiving the information. It could make everyone relax and be more comfortable at the time of birth, which is essential for a successful VBAC!
What about increased uterine rupture with a second birth after a c-section?
Yes, the RISK is higher if you go into labor (as opposed to a scheduled c-section). It is about 3 times higher if the doctor refrains from using Prostaglandins* (gel or pill; it is commonly used in hospitals to “ripen” the cervix and “get things going”). But the fact is that the numbers are very, very small; so instead of 1.4 per 1,000, it is 4.5 per 1,000*. Still pretty small, don’t you think? Is it really worth all the fuzz and scare? Not according to last March A.H.R.Q. Evidence Report entitled :”Vaginal Birth After Cesarian: New Insights.” The authors conclude; “This report adds stronger evidence that VBAC is a reasonable and safe choice for the majority of women with prior cesarean. Moreover, there is emerging evidence of serious harms relating to multiple cesareans”.
The thing is that, in such a situation, the woman giving birth needs more reassurance, more empowering and more education/information on techniques allowing her to relax deeply like self-hypnosis or birthing in the water. Methods that altogether decrease the level of stress on the uterus, on the baby and on everyone in the room!
So tell me, wouldn’t you want to AT LEAST give it a try?
(* source: Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality A.H.R.Q.)
Continue reading National C-Section Rate Still Rising! Is It Due to Fear of VBAC?
The Truth about Childbirth Pains!
The truth about pain with labor contractions is that, physiologically, it’s not supposed to hurt! The woman’s body is designed to give birth; the baby “knows”, as an active participant, what to do and when to do it! Your brain and endocrine system produces all the hormones and neurotransmitters to make the experience enjoyable, even blissful! Certainly not painful!
So what happened? Why is it that most women report giving birth as the most excruciatingly painful thing they ever had to endure?
Here are a few keys to help you understand what has happened in our society (yes, not all cultures experience pain in childbirth, although they are becoming a rarity!)
- We (all of us) undergo massive cultural conditioning during our up-bringing by parents, family, teachers, TV (and other media), internet, etc. that childbirth is painful. It makes it very difficult to believe otherwise!
- From the time you get pregnant, the reinforcement of that belief starts… You get it from the books you read, the medical websites, other women’s stories, friends, colleagues, and yes,… your caregiver… (including most midwives!)
- Childbirth classes generally also reinforce the belief that “it’s going to be sooooo painful” and give you so few practical tools to handle it!
From then on, you set your mind up for a “let’s hope for a fast labor” and “when can I get the epidural?” solutions… As if there were no other choice!
So, if you are pregnant or just looking for information for a future pregnancy, best thing you can do is get your information straight!
- Learn about the woman’s body, the human brain, and all the physiological systems allowing us (human beings) to change pain perception.
- Master some “mind control” tools — meaning YOU control YOUR mind — using visualization, imagery, self-convincing, self-hypnosis, etc. No one else can make you do or think what you don’t want to , if you don’t want to! When you know how to use the full potential of your subconscious mind, your only limitation is your own beliefs… And you can change those easily…
- Find help to clear your “old emotional stuff” in a very gentle, respectful, loving way. Birthing is a “whole being” experience… You can’t leave any stone unturned and think, “It has nothing to do with having a baby so I will be alright!” Not so!
- Read about “undisturbed” birth. When a woman at birth is allowed to follow her natural rhythms, her body produces all the hormones in perfect sequence including endorphins and enkephalins — molecules of bliss — letting your body and your baby lead the dance in their own time, trusting and letting be… it’s amazing what can happen… one-hour labors, pain-free births, non-crying babies… in a word: BLISS!
- Epidurals are not so safe… for you or for your baby! (more on that subject in another blog).
If you already had a child and it was challenging for you, it may be hard to believe but remember that you are the one holding the belief, so you may decide to change it anytime… You hold the key to your own jail… Would you give it a try or have you given up on a more gentle, pleasurable birth for you and your baby?
5 Golden Rules for easier birth
The 5 Golden Rules for a easier, more comfortable (maybe even painfree) birth according to Nadine Romain, PhD, certified birth doula, medical hypnotist and prenatal yoga instructor.
1) Stay calm, relaxed and centered using whatever method you have trained with: yoga, meditation, self-hypnosis, imagery, “special place”, prayer, singing, drumming, breathing… What ever takes you to an altered state of awareness!
2) Regular, slow, deep, belly breath (focusing on this new baby coming into your life). Simple, yes, but needs practice to become automatic. The earlier you start practicing in your pregnancy, the easier it will be to use at birth!
3) Learn and use some powerful “mind altering tools” like the ones I teach to my clients. The pain perception is very different from one person to the other, so choose to be the one that knows how to “diverge”, “distract” or “refocus” your awareness. It is a lot simpler than it sounds and everyone can teach themselves how to do it!
4) Have a partner (husband, doula, sister or friend) to give you “LITE TOUCH”
5) Get in the water! Ideally, up to above your waist so you benefit from the buoyancy effect (the fact that your body floats and weighs less in the water) and keep it at a comfortable temperature so you can relax!!!
