Dear Friends:
     The Food and Drug Administration (of the USA) issued an advisory against
the use of vacuum extractors in 1998, after reports of 9 deaths and 12
serious injuries in the preceeding 4 years.
     I worked with a mother whose baby was readmitted to drain blood out of
his brain; she was investigated by child protective services and under
suspicion until the surgeon told the investigators that the baby's problems
were a result of the vacuum. Can you imagine: she was a sweet, first time
mother working to breastfeed and totally upset by her baby's misshapen head
and withdrawn behavior. Add to her worry the impact of being on the
defensive; awful.  No one would ever suspect a physician of causing her
baby's injury. She was the one under investigation.
     You can find the advisory if you check the FDA website. You can also do
a search using www.google.com and look for "FDA Advisory Vacuum Extractors">
     Women think that birth is dangerous. The truth is that the technology
and "management" of birth is dangerous. The signs are telling us as we see
more babies who can't do what they should be doing when they enter this
world.
     Warmly,
Nikki Lee RN, MSN, Mother of 2, IBCLC, CIMI, CCE, craniosacral therapy
Adjunct faculty, Union Institute and University, Maternal and Child Health:
Lactation Consulting
Supporting the WHO Code and the Mother Friendly Childbirth Initiative

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