In a message dated 8/11/0 10:43:48 PM, [log in to unmask] writes:
<< Isn't it something. I also wonder why there are so many
inducements at or before 40 weeks. I had thought it took about 280 days
+ or - 2 wks. to grow a human baby in utero. My daughter came exactly
284 days.
Not a lot is shared with the mom about the negative aspects of
intervening in the natural birthing process. I like to remind
'to-be-moms' that "the rate of brain growth is greatest in 3rd trimester
and 1st year of birth. The baby receives DHA (the fatty acid for the
natural growth of brain and myelin sheath cells and formation of the
visual system) for natural growth while in the womb. If they don't BF
the baby doesn't get any more than what s/he is born with." Now I guess
I'll have to add: "If induced early their baby will have less DHA then
those allowed to go full term, just like a preemie.">>
A very valid point. You are right that not a lot is shared about the hazards
of interventions. I would go so far as to say they are actively promoted in
many, if not most cases or at least presented as normal and acceptable.
<<Today I had a young mom come in for new baby apt. who wanted to BF
but whose baby 'wouldn't take her breast' Through questions I
discovered a LC said she was latched on okay, just didn't want the
breast. Took bottle after 1/2 hour of trying. The mom had 24 hours of
labor with epidural. Was monitored throughout with IV's in bed.>>
I do tell mothers when I see them pp b/c they are having difficulties that
drugs are a part of the problem. I say that I want them to know this b/c I do
not want them to think that bf is always so difficult. I tell them that they
cannot change the outcome for this baby, but that if they understand that
drugs are part of the problem, it might help them to be more patient w/ the
baby and nursing. Also, those drugged and traumatized babies who are so
sleepy do usually wake up at several weeks and their parents can really be
thrown by it. So, I also warn the parents of sleepy babies that they can
usually expect a very active, wakeful baby in a couple of weeks and that this
is probably much more normal than the behaviour they are currently
experiencing. (Although who knows how skewed this behaviour is also, b/c of
the drugs/interventions).
<<Intervention has become the norm. The natural birthing is the
exception. What are they teaching in med. schools?>>
Technology and more technology, I believe. Having worked in a teaching
hospital, I can tell you that the residents don't spend a lot of time honing
their "wait and see" skills.
<<Some moms are told their baby may be too big to fit through the
birthing canal & C-sectioned. >>
This is of course based upon the all-seeing ultrasound! (Ugh!)
<< If a mother were allowed to birth her
baby optimally (as Dr. Lennart Righard from Sweden suggests) in the
squatting position, the pelvic bones would be opened 20 -30 % more, and
make a natural birthing possible for most babies (less need for
C-section). >>
IMO, this, like bf is normal, not optimal.
<<Unfortunately the woman is positioned for the comfort of
the delivering HCP (on her back.) >>
Yep. I did labor support for a mother once who had everything but a cesarean
thrown at her w/ her 1st baby. She wanted a natural birth w/ the second and
unfortunately went to the hospital as soon as her water broke, even though I
told her not to. She was having *no* contractions. Well, we managed for 18
hours to avoid drugs, iv's antibiotics, monitoring, etc. We used homeopathy
and nipple stimulation to get her into active labor. Finally, we were in
second stage and she was sitting in an upright position that she loved and
was very effective for her. She was feeling very powerful and the baby only
needed a few more minutes. The nurses were *awesome*!!! In comes the OB and
tells the nurse to get the mother to lie down. I said, "The mom really likes
this position, is doing well and would like to continue. I will never forget
his words. He said to me, "So she is comfortable, and *I* can't see"?! He, of
course wanted to sit his butt down on a stool at the end of the bed, since I
am certain he considered it unacceptable to be "beneath" the mother. In that
moment, she lost all of her power. She ended up with a totally unecessary
episiotomy and a humiliating experience was had by all (except him, of
course).
<<If the mother is allowed to let her
body deliver the baby naturally in the upright position and helped to
relax by her Doula (as Marshall Klaus & Penny Simpkin suggest) there will
be less intervention & problems and the natural endorphines released will
decrease the need for pain medication & an episiotomy and the stimulation
of oxytocin by early BF (within 45 min - 1 hr.) helps deliver placenta
and stop excessive bleeding (prevent anemia) and decrease pp blues.>>
Gee, you'd think they could fit this is into one of those med school classes.
<< I'd like to know what has been the gestational time for other
lactnetters when allowed to go your full term on, before or after 40
weeks.
I am convinced that we are supposed to be totally fed up w/ being pregnant
before we are in labor. It seems to me this would make it much easier to "let
go" of the baby in 2nd stage. Anyway, each of my homebirthed babies was one
day "later" than the last--7, 8 and 9 days post dates and all latched within
a few minutes of birth.
Jennifer Tow, IBCLC, CT, USA
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