Please read and Repost This is a great article!!!!

[amum23]

This is a great article written by one of our fellow Cafemom'rs Becky Taylor. I think it is very well written and wanted to keep it going. She has given permission for us to spread it around so if you want to share it than share it. PLEASE just be sure to make proper mention of the Author. Thanks guys and enjoy!!!

 

Hey Doc. I have a proposition for you. You say that birth is dangerous and needs you to save the mothers and babies. You say birth is a medical event which requires a hospital. Many of you believe that birth "from below" (vaginal) is old-fashioned and that birth "from above" (abdominal) is superior.

Why did you decide to become a doctor? Why a doctor who "delivers" babies? I know that none of you would admit it's for the money. I'm sure your answer is something like "I want to help women and babies". That is admirable. But what if (humor me here), just what if it could be proven to you... and to the world, really... that you aren't helping mothers OR babies? What if your famous Hippocratic oath is making you hypocrites? You vow that you will "do no harm". Does that really mean you will "do no harm" to your bank account? Your practice? Your staff? Or are you honestly, truly, unabashedly committed to doing no harm to mothers and babies?

Now, my proposition:

The cesarean rate in the United States is horrific. According to the WHOs standards, at least half (if not more) of the sections in this country are unnecessary. Also, our infant mortality rate is shameful. It's too high.

In some countries, such as Sweden, the standard of maternity care is a midwife. Every woman sees a midwife for maternity care unless and until her pregnancy or labor becomes a threat, danger, or emergency to the life of the mother or baby. *GASP*, you say? How can they do something so DANGEROUS you say? Well, if a section rate of 15.4% (Peristat) and an infant mortality rate of 3 per 1,000 live births (Globalis) is dangerous... then let danger be my middle name!

If you truly have the best interests of mothers and babies in mind, then give up your fear-mongering, money-hungry death grip on maternity care in the United States. Afterall, there will still be a need for you. It's just that you will only see the mothers who truly NEED to see you. Aren't those the mothers you really want to help, anyway? Why not try it? Do your little studies. Give it, say, ten years. Five, even.

If the IMR and section rates remain the same, or get worse, I will gladly stand corrected, and you can again take your place on the Obstetric Throne.

[Fistandantalus]

Jul. 26, 2007 at 1:40 PM Go ahead and add the fact that insurance companies rarely cover the cost of pregnancy or c-sections.  I had to pay cash for my kids--I'm still paying off the bills from number 2, three years of payments.  I had to check the bills because they charged me $700 for an epidural I never got and an extra day in the hospital that I didn't stay for.  With Kid #2, I chose not to have the genetic screenings they "recommended" or the hearing test they "suggested".  Wow, what a ruckus that caused! 

[amum23]

Jul. 26, 2007 at 1:53 PM Isnt it funny how if someone chooses to go against the grain just a little bit then all the medical faculty just start freaking out like, "What? are you allowed to tell me no?" I feel that it is time for the women to start showing them that we are smart women and DO have a mind of our own.

(Original Poster)

[FemaleRacer]

Jul. 26, 2007 at 2:05 PM I LOVE it!!!!  Thank you for the reminder that women should be in control of our bodies and births.  That just because a c/s is becoming the norm in the US, that it doesn't mean it's right!!!  GOOD FOR YOU!!!!

[SJSandra]

Aug. 1, 2007 at 1:42 PM

I replied to another mother's post on July 14, 2007.  I thought it would go nicely with the above post.  Thanks for posting this.

I first suspected my doctor frowned upon the natural childbirth experience when I presented him with my very creatively made Birth Plan.  He scoffed as I handed it to him and shook his head and chuckled as he read the part where I wanted to "touch baby's head as it crowns."  I embarrassingly replied "Yeah, well it's my baby and at least I'll be someone you can laugh about with your office drones" (Well I didn't say the last part).

At 32 weeks pregnant with my 2nd daughter (I was already a pro in my mind), I was aware of the braxton-hicks contractions I had been having for weeks now  (According to much literature, you have contractions following conception---sort of an active practice for the uterus.  Curiously reminds me of menstrual cramps as a normal process of the menstrual cycle) and my all-knowing, all powerful OB-GYN, following the obtrusive, much required pelvic, cervical exam, said, questioningly, "Your cervix is high..........Have you been having contractions?"   I replied,  "Well of course, doc!  I've had them for a long time.  Braxton-Hicks contractions are common now, aren't they?"  He told me that I shouldn't have any "braxton-hicks" contractions until I'm close to delivering.  I thought that this doctor is an idiot.  How else is the uterus supposed to practice and prepare to push out a large baby.  After-all, the uterus is an INVOLUNTARY muscle, which means itwill practice working all the time, by itself.  Our uterus contracts during our periods, why wouldn't it do the same during our pregnancies.  Consequently, he prescribed me Terbutaline to cease the contractions so I wouldn't continue going into labor.  Unknown to him, I never took this medication.  I used my brain, researched the medication and even discovered that Terbutaline isn't even FDA approved.   I'm glad I followed my own "knowledge is power" mantra.

Later on, actually upon the week of my "estimated" due date, my doctor suggested that "if" I didn't go into labor that week, he so kindly scheduled me for an induction on January 16th.  He was ever so kind to offer me a choice of Wednesday or Thursday.  I couldn't pick Friday because that is when he performs his "scheduled" C-Sections. (I bet he makes a ton of money).   Once again I researched and researched.  I was scared of an induction.  I read that Pitocin interferes with our own body's natural oxytocin, which can cause your body to actually slow, and digress the labor instead of progress it--which is what it should do.  It's like the body goes haywire with the pitocin and just shuts down.  There is even a new study on the correlation between induction and autism.  I thought since my first baby came on her own, why shouldn't this be any different.  I called my doctor the next day in the office to tell him I didn't want to have the induction and to wait at least 1 week past my due date since my research also told me that unless the baby is in distress, I shouldn't have any problem in waiting.  He said, "OK, I hope she doesn't get too big?"  I guess by this time he figured it was my way or the highway!

Coincidentally, I went into labor early in the morning of January 17th.  My husband, who has been very supported of my decisions of ignoring my doctor's wrong advice, had his own plans of where I was going to deliver.  My regular OB clearly told us he only delivers at one hospital.  So, while in early labor........about 4 centimeters dilated (yes, I would frequently check myself for progress......it is my body, I should know what to do with it!!!), my husband drove us to IHOP to eat breakfast.   OMG---so taboo, eating before delivery.  Well new studies show that labor and delivery, commonly compared to marathon running, expends tremendous calories and energy.  We need FOOD for fuel!  Afterward, we went to an entirely different hospital from which I toured and pre-registered.  And guess what, since this new hospital didn't have any records on me, they had to request my records from my doctor.  He told the doctor that I should have got up and went to his hospital to deliver with him.  No way was I going to leave in the middle of my labor.  Additionally, my regular doctor said, as an ultimatum, if I didn't go to deliver with him, I wouldn't be allowed to return to be seen in his office.  Too bad for me (yeah, right).  Well this new doctor, a young intern was very open to my request to not intervene unless I requested.  I did opt for the augmented labor, because I had (artificial rupture of my water) done the same with my first daughter and had a miraculously short delivery.  But like anything artificial, the contractions came on so quickly, I gave in and thankfully received the epidural.  I did, however, not get the episiotomy.......Thank God for Kegels, as I requested.  My hubby cut her cord, after it stopped pulsating.  My baby roomed in with me, was breastfed on demand and like I asked, did not get one ounce of hospital formula.  Yeah, so I was seen my intern doctors, and yeah, I wasn't delivered by a doctor I had a relationship with (who cares!!)...........Actually I delivered the baby, the doctor "caught" her..............I was so happy I made most of the vital decisions in this very special birthing experience, this "wellness event" (not an illness that requires medical treatment or intervention). 

It really makes sense why a doctor would suggest or belittle someone who wants to go "natural".  Imagine how much money they lose when you don't want the epidural+the anethesiologist+episiotomy+stiching+induced labor+pitocin medications and IV+scheduled medical procedure for C-Section.  The more medicinal interventions you use, and the longer you stay in the hospital, the more money they make.  It's a very lucrative business....medicine is.  The problem is that Pregnancy and Birth is usually not a medical "problem" to be handled as such.  It's a wellness event.   

Actually, because of my experience, I have or will (once my baby is more confident), study as a Certified Nurse Midwife.  Raising a child begins in the womb.

Thanks for letting me share my super long "testimonial" with you.

[chris07ss]

Oct. 3, 2007 at 10:30 PM I guess it all depends on the doc, or midwife, i had both. my midwife did nothing but badger me about how i ate and basically looked down on me the whole time.  About 3 days before i gave birth she told me she could no longer see me anymore that i was all of a sudden a high risk and the $3,000 she was paid (non refundable no matter how much she's actually helping and the doc priced at $1000 less) was for what? She told me to call her and keep her updated and she would be there for the birth, we called her 3 times and no show not even when we left a message 7pm, 9pm.  The nurses however left everything up to me, c-section wasn't even mentioned, they asked if i had any religious request and what pos i wanted to be in to deliver.  I had no meds and nothing was pushed on me.  My husband stayed with me in my room in his jeans and t-shirt and even cut the cord.  My daughter was given to me directly and never taken away from me.   I so wanted to give birth at home but for the sacrifice of a not so comfortable bed, having a full time cook and maid on hand were nice, not to mention my insurance covered almost the whole thing $1000 total for a 3 day rest everything included.  Everyone has different exp. But i know in bend they do have a midwife that works in the birthing center, just in-case something happens u have ur options open.

[MomaNana2008]

Sep. 7, 2008 at 6:16 AM

I have just gotten a WAHM started and it is here: http://www.cafemom.com/MAM

Anyone that needs help minimizing their hospital stay costs, c-section costs, or any other medical need costs should consider this site. The medical/dental plan is only $39.95 with a $30.00startup. Medical alone is 29.95 and same start up. The great thing about it is that it covers 20 persons related or not in a household and the 24/7 nursing line is an advantage for asking questions. If you do have a bill over $2,500.00, the AmeriPlan(tm) Advocate will help get the bills down to what you can manage. I have testimonials of persons that had over $100,000.00 of bills that got them reduced to $30,000 and under! Give it a thought-I have had alot of health problems due to fires in the area / dehydration. I haven't done very well WAHM wise, but I am persisting ~!  If you can't see using the plan yourself, please pass it on to your people, this is really helpful to get covered with little money.////

MomaNana2008 Sep. 7, 2008 at 3:08 AM (Delete)