OK, so to most of us this is already old news:
Studies find that "Staying upright speeds the first stage of labor." But of course, we all know that "gravity doesn't help during birth." (insert major eyeroll here) Here's more on the best positions for labor and birth , and also some interesting highlights on why the most widely-used position in hospitals (lithotomy or in a "c shape") can cause more harm than good. Combine that with overuse of Pitocin and it's surprising anyone in a hospital can manage to give birth these days.
And this study shows that eating during labor has no ill effects. Not surprisingly, the incidence of vomiting between the two groups studied was the same. Of course, we're not talking about a seven-course meal, here, but rather eating lightly. It's common sense that light food and drink during labor are going to give you energy that your body needs to undertake such a tremendous task!
We already have information that shows episiotomies are widely overused and often not even necessary , causing more damage than preventing it. But yet, they're still widely performed. We know that Pitocin can actually slow down some labors and cause problems in the infant that could be avoided, if only it weren't used in the first place. And yet both are standard procedure in today's delivery rooms world-wide.
The information is there, plain for all to see. The big (rhetorical) question is, why aren't doctors listening? Why is this not the norm?
4 comments:
Doctors aren't listening because mothers aren't demanding it.
Consider moms reversing attitudes, instead of the occasional mom requesting a natural birth, what if the occasional mom requested the epidural.
What if the norm now, became the minority of situations?
What if the Carrie Johnsons of the world said "No. There is no scientific reason for me to have a c-section. I have a capable body that can push out a 10 lb baby. And yes, I am overdue, but there is no indication that there is a problem with that."
What if women had support and didn't have to fight for what they wanted after laboring for crazy amounts of time without food and water?
You and I have this information, but many woman don't know better, or are manipulated out of what they want. Until this information is on the tips of everyone's tongues, things won't change on a mass scale.
Thanks for putting it out there. You're awesome.
I totally feel like I'm preaching to the choir sometimes. As just a person who's been through it, I feel frustrated at times, especially when mothers look at you like you've got 14 heads and just spoke to them in Chinese. I mean, where on earth do you begin?
The one thing, though, is yes- you can educate yourself and refuse this stuff, and definitely risk being mistreated for it. It's really quite pathetic, actually. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. If you refuse something, they just send the police to come and get you...
:(
Well, with me you're preaching to the choir...but don't feel that way with everyone. You never know who might stumble across your blog and realize that they had no idea about some of this information.
I just figure that even if I only reach one person with all of my ranting, it's one person who won't have to look back and wonder how it could have been better.
I'm always grateful to put in my two cents with people who can relate and don't think I just sprouted 14 heads.
I would say keep preaching because:
1) you never know who will stop by your blog looking for this information so they can change the way they have labor and deliver babies. I was one of those about 3 years ago.
2) you never know who you are encouraging on their decision to have a home birth or less interventions at a hospital delivery.
So keep preaching. :) also from my DH input, the reason most doctors do the things they do is because for fear of lawsuits. They are covering their rear end. Sad, but true. :(
Post a Comment