I LOVED this article by Jennifer Block.  (I also LOVED her book Pushed.) 

In the article she talks about how we need to stop blaming moms for cesareans.  I agree, usually when moms have chosen a cesarean, there is a care provider pushing it.  Obviously there are often times when a cesarean is medically necessary.  But many “elective” cesareans and unplanned cesareans are not really because mom WANTS to have a cesarean.

Go read her article!

I am really hoping to make it to this conference.  It all depends on if my VBAC client has her baby in time.   

I wanted everyone to know about it.  The speakers sound terrific. 

Hi all,

ICAN’s “Real Women. Real Lives.” Birth Conference is not just for cesarean and VBAC mothers! It’s for any and all “birth junkies”, birthing women, spouses and childbirth professionals.

For anyone living in the within driving distance of Atlanta, this is going to be the LAST conference in that region of the US for quite a long time. The next two conferences in 2011 and 2013 are likely to be northwest and then perhaps down in Texas, or even in  Canada if we follow the trend of trying to distribute them around fairly. If I sound too “Rah rah” forgive me, I’ve just seen the shining faces around me at two ICAN conference now and I want every woman who can possibly attend, to come! It was literally and without a shred of hyperbole, life-changing for me, to go to my first one.

If you know of anyone that might be interested in attending what is shaping up to be an incredible Birth Conference, would you please forward them this link?

http://ican- online.org/ conference/ index.html

We also have Conference pages on Facebook and MySpace! ICAN’s conference fees are much much lower than many other large birth conferences at the highest price at$269 early bird fee for non-subscribers.  We offer CEU’s for doulas, nurses, midwives, CBE’s and we pull in BIG name speakers like the author of Birthing From Within, Pam England. And the breakout sessions we have lined up are simply world-class, check it out here:

http://ican- online.org/ conference/ descriptions. html

Could you each please do me (and ICAN) a big favor and pass the word on? This is a birth conference like NO other… incredible connections are made, and because it is also smaller than most, you are pretty much guaranteed to be able to snag a famous speaker or two to chat with!

Warmly,

Desirre

Desirre Andrews CCCE, LCCE, CLD, CLE – www.prepforbirth.com
2009 ICAN Conference Chair and ICAN VP
2VBA2C mama

PS the Early Bird registration discount ends Jan 31st! 

Blessingways are a wonderful way to help a mother celebrate her upcoming birth.  I wanted one with Bryson, but had a “normal” babyshower.  Which is fun, but doesn’t quite have the depth and meaning of a blessingway. 

Maybe next time. 

Go over and visit Bellies and Babies!

I found out on the DoulaMomma Blog.   This is great for those moms who want to see it and haven’t had a chance to go to a screening.

Here is a link to my review with a caution for Hypnobabies students!

So what can we learn from these breakdowns?

Some planned cesareans are not medically necessary.  If your care provider says you should have a planned cesarean you should do some research.  You have the right  to get second opinions and research your options.   It will either solidify the choice to have a cesarean, or open your eyes to other options. 

Mother’s Choice is an area where obviously you have more control.  If you are choosing a planned cesarean because of fear of birth, I highly suggest hypnosis to help you overcome that fear.  Hypnobabies is a great program that has helped many moms overcome their fear of birth and have gone onto have lovely births. 

Most “emergency” cesareans are not true emergencies.  Parents wonder how can they know if it is truly an emergency situation.   During a birth if a cesarean is suggested, ask if you can have a few minutes to discuss and decide before you make a choice.  If the answer is “NO!” and the room is filling with nurses and doctors, it is an emergency.   Actually in the emergency cesareans I have experienced as a doula, things were happening so fast, they were not even really taking the time to explain what is happening to mom and dad.  I have been the one saying calmly, “It looks like they are preparing you for an emergency cesarean….”  If they give you time, it probably isn’t an emergency. 

Remember true emergencies are rare.  Typically there is time to make choices.  If a cesarean is mentioned to you during your birthing time by your care provider, I would say the most important thing to do is ask questions.  Starting with:  Is mom ok?  Is baby ok?  If the answers are yes, then move onto BRAND

B– What are the benefits?

R – What are the risks?

A – What are the alternatives?

N – What if we do nothing/wait for another hour?

D – Discuss and Decide (If you say, “We’d like to pray on it” the room empties fairly quickly!)

 Typically in the urgently needed cesareans, the answers to these questions would pretty clearly indicate a need for a cesarean.  If mom or baby is not ok, than certainly a cesarean is medically indicated.  But, if they say if is fine to wait another hour, then it is not an emergency or probably even urgent and you most likely could wait many hours (unless there is a change in mom or baby)    Studies have found that patience can help prevent many cesareans. 

You may have noticed many unplanned cesareans are caused by interventions.  As moms you can find out what routine interventions your care provider does.  You can learn about the pros and cons and risks of different interventions.  During your birth you can ask questions about proposed interventions.  Though I have seen first hand, that sometimes they leave risks out when moms ask during birth.  Doing some research before your birth is important.  Taking an Independent Childbirth Class is helpful with this. 

Learning care provider and hospital guidelines, such as restriction on length of pushing, can help you determine if the care provider and hospital are a good match for you.  Even learning their cesarean statistics is very telling.  I live close to 4 local hospitals.  Their cesarean rates vary immensely.  There are 2 that I would NOT recommend to moms, as they have very high rates, so your odds of having a cesarean will be much higher than if you go to either of the other hospitals.  Often because of hospital and doctor policies. 

Avoiding induction is an important key in preventing an unnecessary cesarean.  If your care provider suggests an induction, do your research.  What is your Bishop’s Score?  What is the reasons for wanting to induce?  Is mom ok, is baby ok?  Remember BRAND?  This will work here too.  Mom’s have changed care providers late in pregnancy to avoid unnecessary inductions.  I even know moms who have gone home after an induction wasn’t working.  Leave the hospital and wait longer. 

Failure to wait takes some effort on your part.  Ask the questions!  Buying more time if mom and baby are ok, may be all you need!  There is no hurry if all is well.   Some OBs may get irritated.  Some really just want to do the surgery so they can go home.  Not all are like this, but they are out there.  So know that it is YOUR choice!  Also try different positions, upright positions if you have been laying down.    

Mother’s intuition is very important and should be respected.  Mother’s are very in tune with their body and their baby and if they have a sense about something, they should act on it.  I wish more OBs would respect that.  This should go for a mom wanting a cesarean, or feeling confident about a vaginal birth.  Mom’s seem to know and they need support for their choice. 

Mother’s fatigue is something most doulas are aware of.  We see it coming and try to help prevent it.  I love Hypnobabies scripts as a doula.  If a mom calls me in the middle of the night, so excited because things are “starting”  I tell her to put on a CD and try to sleep.  Sometimes (I know for my birth it did) it helps them rest until morning, so when their birthing time starts in earnest, they still have energy.  So resting is a key.  So is staying fueled with water and food is important too.  Who would run a marathon with no eating or drinking?  Seems silly, doesn’t it?   Knowing hospital routines and doing your research and knowing it is YOUR choice is essential!

If you missed it you can see it here.    I love that it is making people “think” about birth.  Though many seem to be angry with the thought of birth being enjoyable. 

I know it can be enjoyable.  I had a comfortable, fun and unmedicated birth with Bryson using Hypnobabies.  Which started me on this journey to become a doula and Hypnobabies Instructor.   

I have seen Orgasmic Birth and enjoyed it.  My review can be read here. 

Maybe the 20/20 show will at least help some moms to think outside the box.  I was thrilled to see that hypnosis for childbirth was mentioned. 

I’m a Seattle-area doula who enjoys reading your blog very much and wanted to let you know about my new doula referral website:  www.DoulaMatch.net  I created this website so expectant families, referral coordinators, health care providers, and anyone looking for a doula can quickly and efficiently find birth and postpartum doulas who are currently available and looking for clients.  This site is also a great place to get a baseline understanding of each doula’s training, certification, and experience levels.
 
I thought you and your blog readers might be interested in this handy resource for finding available doulas.
 
Thanks and keep on with the great writing!
 
-Kim