From inquiring minds in the birth mecca of the Netherlands-


I know and respect many lovely birth practioners who try and support normal
birth each and everyday, and I applaud you, but even those of us who have
worked from within to change our little corner of the birth world know that
we are too few.

In the Netherlands, care and expectations are very different than here in
the US.  Really- it is not so nice for the majority of families birthing in
the hospital setting in the USA.

This is just my opinion and experience and I am sure there are those on this
list who would disagree with me, but after I worked in Labor and Delivery in
San Francisco (voted one of the very best US cities to have a baby) I would
come home and cry, and cry, because I really felt that I was participating
in malpractice.  

***"Attempting a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) at home is especially
 =
dangerous because if the uterus ruptures during labor, both the mother
 =
and baby face an emergency situation with potentially catastrophic =
consequences, including death."

Of course: I don't think that would be a situation in which a =
well-informed mother would choose a home delivery, would she...? I
 don't =
think that would be advised here, although home births are very normal.***

Actually, at least half of the homebirth families I know are YBAC/VBAC. 
Homebirth midwives are some of the few providers who will support women
without a lot of Friedman Curve run a muck rules.   (Weeeeeellllll you can
try, but if that baby is not out in x amount of time- I will take the baby.
 Oh and because we are fairly certain you will fail, no eating, no drinking,
and you have to come into the hospital and be confined to a room, early in
your labor, the EFM must be on at all times (which means a shower is out of
the question, and it works best if you lie down and are still, so we expect
you to stay in the bed if there is any trouble picking up the baby's heart
rate). 


"Multiple factors are responsible for the current cesarean rate, but =
emerging contributors include maternal choice and the rising tide of =
high-risk pregnancies due to maternal age, overweight, obesity and =
diabetes."

This is an old standby- when in doubt, blame mothers- You are too old, too
fat, or too sick to have a baby without: an IV, Pitocin, in bed, on your
back (there are not any stirrups used anymore but that is okay- your partner
can hold a leg and the nurse can hold the other so you can lie on your back
and push.)  

"It should be emphasized that studies comparing the safety and outcome
 =
of births in hospitals with those occurring in other settings in the US
 =
are limited and have not been scientifically rigorous."

Hogwash-  here is a study from the British medical Journal.  Well executed,
although not randomized.

http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/330/7505/1416?ehom

If the hospital is such a great place to have a baby and 99% of women give
birth there- why are our infant and maternal mortality rates soo terrible? 
If OB's in the hospital are the best- then we should have the very BEST
outcomes, but we don't.  The proof in in the pudding ACOG, and I am sorry,
but you just don't have it.

What does this have to do with breastfeeding?  Everything!  Muck with the
birth, and you muck with the breastfeeding relationship.

Stepping off of my birth soapbox and going back to my preschooler who is
running around naked except for a blue, metallic New Years hat and some
sparkly garland around his neck.


Charity
(BSN, PHN, RN, AAHCC, Proud Homebirth Mama)  

             ***********************************************

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