Search Results for: blog lets talk about avoiding a cesarean section

C-Section Rates Are Higher Than Ever

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I can’t believe how common cesarean sections are these days. According to an article published on businessweek.com, nearly one in three deliveries are via c-section. That is a scary number. Women’s bodies are meant to delivery vaginally and cesareans should only be performed in emergencies. The fact that the cesarean rate is approaching one third means something is seriously wrong with our health care system. Cesareans are more likely to happen when labor is induced. Unfortunately, induction is happening with more and more frequency, and for all the wrong reasons. The general rule of thumb when it comes to labor … Continue reading →

The Let’s Talk Blog Mid-Month Review

We’re halfway through the first month of the year, and already have touched on some interesting topics! I’ve really enjoyed reading everyones comments and hope that we can continue discussing pregnancy-related issues so openly. We opened the month by talking about pregnant bellies in Let’s Talk About Handling Unwanted Belly Touching. Let’s Talk About Handling Unwanted Belly Comments got several comments, and I’m not surprised – it’s a serious issue for many pregnant women. If you’re looking for help in choosing a baby name, Let’s Talk About Naming Your Baby offers plenty of suggestions – some well-known, and some not … Continue reading →

Let’s Talk About Dealing with Grief from Birth Loss

Having something other than your ideal birth can be a painful experience, especially if you truly desired to deliver naturally. Often, women who end up with an emergency c-section feel a sense of guilt, loss, and even failure. Or perhaps it wasn’t a cesarean that you or someone you know is grieving over, but an intervention that you desired to avoid. Sometimes opting for pain-relieving drugs can make a woman feel like she had less of a birth experience than she desired to. My first delivery went very well, and was a successful homebirth. I was very proud of myself, … Continue reading →

Let’s Talk About Avoiding a Cesarean-Section

It’s commonly understood that cesareans are surgical procedures, and therefore come with an element of risk. In fact, risks of the surgery include things as serious as infection, uterine rupture, low birth weight for the baby, and even death for either mother or child. Here I will highlight ways to avoid a cesarean section. Throughout pregnancy: The easiest way to avoid a cesarean is to educate yourself and decide to birth naturally. Interview many care providers, and choose one that you feel is most concerned with your interests. Introduce them to you birth plan, and gauge their attitude towards it. … Continue reading →

Let’s Talk About Elective Cesareans

Could we assume for a moment that an elective cesarean is in the same category as a nose-job or a face lift? All three are typically unnecessary surgeries that nonetheless carry all the risk of any surgery, and yet the instance of c-sections is on the rise in America. In fact, between the years 1994 and 2001, it rose eight percent and then by 2004, it rose at least eight percent again! If we put elective c-section in the same category as cosmetic surgery, we would have to understand that many people do unnecessary things to their body. There is … Continue reading →

Should You Do a VBAC?

If you have had a prior cesarean, you may assume that you have to have another, but if you have a healthy pregnancy and your past cesarean was a low vertical incision, VBAC is an option for you. VBAC stands for vaginal birth after cesarean. Many factors lead women to believe that a VBAC is not an option, but many times, this not the case. If you had a prior cesarean due to failure to progress, for example, that does not mean you cannot have a vaginal birth this time around. Studies show your odds are two out of three … Continue reading →

Why the High Maternal Mortality Rate in America?

Women in America more likely to die during childbirth than they are in most other developed nations. Despite our advanced health care and all the money spent on health care in America, why are so many women still dying as a result of childbirth related complications? There are many theories out there, and many point to the obesity epidemic in the US. Obesity significantly increases the risks of childbirth complications. Over a third of Americans over the age of 20 are obese. Obesity is defined by having a BMI of 30 or more. For a person that is 5′ 9″, … Continue reading →

Questions to Ask When Choosing a Caregiver

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Whether you plan on giving birth with the assistance of an obstetrician, midwife or family practitioner, choosing your caregiver is an important decision. There are many different styles and methods of practice and stereotypes don’t always hold true. Not all obstetricians are eager to intervene no matter what and not all midwifes are sensitive, flexible and noninterventive. Ask friends for recommendations and then interview several caregivers before making your decision. Ask open ended questions to get unbiased answers. Follow up with vague answers and evaluate how comfortable you feel asking the caregiver questions when something is unclear. Pregnancy is full … Continue reading →

Optimal Fetal Positioning

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If you are planning on having a natural birth, you may want to look into optimal fetal positioning. Optimal fetal positioning involves naturally helping the baby to rotate and move herself into a position that makes birth easier for both mom and baby. Often babies present themselves in posterior position, also referred to as “sunny side up,” which can make labor much more difficult, drawn out, and sometimes lead to an increased risk of cesarean. In posterior position, your baby is facing the same direction you are, with her back against yours. This happens more today than it used to … Continue reading →

Hospital Crosses Line

Note: When I originally wrote this article, there were no statements available except from the mother and father and those that represent them. I looked up several articles to do this blog. The hospital and the police department have now added statements to the story in backing their position. I obviously am concerned about the health and safety of babies. As a result of ‘new’ information, I have changed this blog and am adding a follow up blog on our own story of hospital staff bullies. Look for it soon! I’ve written an incendiary title and I know it. This … Continue reading →