January 15, 2013
by Amy
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There were so many interesting pieces to read during the past week related to birth and breastfeeding! I am going to try to get in the habit of simply collecting noteworthy pieces and doing a round-up post of my favorites here on the blog. I hope you enjoy these!
Hospitals push breast-feeding in hopes of getting ‘baby-friendly’ label
January 2, 2013
by Amy
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Did you see Is the Medical Community Failing Breastfeeding Moms? in today’s Time Magazine? The article raises some important points in the many gaps of our healthcare system in relation to human lactation. Providing a broader perspective on the often polarizing discussions about how we feed our babies, the article explains that while OB physicians and Pediatricians point their fingers back and forth at each other, neither routinely receives specialized lactation training. Similarly, while lactation consultants provide invaluable support and latch assistance to mothers trying to breastfeed their babies, they cannot check mothers’ hormone levels, write prescriptions, or diagnose a lactation dysfunction.
The article describes that there is a sub-specialty of medicine in human lactation, but that today, “there are only 88 physicians in the entire world who are fellows of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, and have demonstrated evidence of advanced knowledge and skills in the fields of breast-feeding and human lactation.”
On a personal level, I’ve encountered these challenges first hand. I have had multiple benign breast tumors removed over the years, likely impairing my own lactation. I’ve breastfed two babies anyhow, but with much perseverance, and no real answers from any providers on whether or to what extent these surgeries may have impaired my lactation. I have reached out to OBs, pediatricians, lactation consultants, and midwives, all in the hopes of figuring out how to deal with my situation. Without exception, responses fell into the same two polarizing categories described in this article: lactation consultants and midwives provided endless support for my commitment to breastfeed despite the possibility of a true lactation dysfunction, and OB physicians and pediatricians encouraged me to at least supplement with formula, if not abandon my breastfeeding efforts altogether.
True breastfeeding dysfunction is not very common, and oftentimes, the type of support one might receive from a lactation consultant, doula, or midwife would absolutely resolve the common challenges that new mothers sometimes face in establishing a breastfeeding routine and milk supply. However, this article certainly sheds some much needed light on the lack of training in human lactation in the medical community.
December 27, 2012
by Amy
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I’ve been away from this blog for far too long – a full month! I can’t believe how quickly that can happen. However, I look forward to picking up my posting schedule again, albeit at a slower, possibly more irregular pace. I have been busy cooking up baby #3, and having some back pain that has taken up a good chunk of my energy (expect to hear more on that in an upcoming post).
Overall though, I wanted to say Happy New Year! I hope to keep providing evidence based information to help you learn more about pregnancy and birth, and to help contribute to positive birth experiences.
November 26, 2012
by Amy
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In this article, you can read about an exciting possible policy change taking place in Australia. Obstetricians will soon vote to support vaginal breech birth (as opposed to necessary Cesarean birth for breech babies). As you may have read in my second birth story, my second daughter changed her position a few times at the very end of the pregnancy, giving me some anxiety about the possibility of a scheduled Cesarean birth due to her positioning. Reading about this slow change in practice and policy gives me hope that women will be able to avoid the anxiety provoking process of surgical birth when it is not necessary.
November 15, 2012
by Amy
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This new video from the I am a Midwife campaign focuses on the diverse communities that midwives serve. Enjoy!
October 30, 2012
by Amy
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Michael Odent, MD on the evolution of oxytocin in birth:
“It is pure evolution in action: when we do not use certain functions of our physiology, the “message” to our always-changing bodymind system — a message that becomes passed down to future generations through changes in DNA expression — is, “That function is no longer needed.”
I’ve heard rumblings about this unfortunate evolution for some time, but Odent’s explanation crystalizes the concept. As more and more women are giving birth with IV Pitocin to initiate and strengthen their labor contractions, women’s bodies are losing the ability to do these tasks on their own. Odent emphasizes that this is a trend being examined on the population level, not the individual one. Read here if you’re up for a spooky story.
Happy Halloween!
October 25, 2012
by Amy
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For the first time, a human egg was filmed as it emerged from the ovary during a routine surgery. Fertile women release one or more eggs every month, but until now, only animal ovulation has been recorded in detail. UK Gynecologist Dr Jacques Donnez saw this during a hysterectomy. Read more here.
Amazing images!
October 18, 2012
by Amy
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I am in no way promoting Luvs diapers here – in fact, I’ve never used Luvs at all. However, I really like their new ad campaign, and think it’s worth a moment of our time. I love how they took the opportunity to support breastfeeding in their diaper commercial! It’s funny, attention grabbing, and genuinely promotes breastfeeding in public. Also, I like the honesty of the message: motherhood is a learning process!
It certainly isn’t flawless (see Luvs questionable sentiments about breastfeeding in public on their blog post titled “Hooter Hider or Let It All Hang Out“), but I do like their use of humor!
Read more about the ad campaign here.
October 15, 2012
by Amy
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I recently came across this beautiful film, called Birth Markings. It is a documentary, in which 12 women discuss the changes that pregnancy and birth caused in their bodies. I love how the women talk about starting their new lives as mothers with new bodies.
Does this resonate with you? You can watch the trailer above, or the full 23 minute film here.
October 9, 2012
by Amy
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This post is written by my dear friend, prior labor and delivery nurse, and now my midwife, Alyson (as mentioned in my own birth stories here and here). In honor of National Midwifery Week, she has shared great information on the role of the midwife, midwifery care, and how to find a midwife. To hear more from Alyson, follow her on twitter at @AlysonCNM.One of the most important choices related to health care that a woman can make for herself is her provider. Finding someone with a similar philosophy and priorities, as well as a excellent knowledge base can be hard to do. There are so many choices out there and with all other options and decisions coming out of this decision, it is important to KNOW YOUR OPTIONS.What is a Midwife?The word Midwife means “With woman” and refers to the attendants of labor and birth throughout history, until the growth of the Obstetric specialty. In the state of Illinois, there is one type of Midwife who can practice legally and this is a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM). CNMs have dual training in nursing and midwifery, with a bachelor’s degree in nursing, a master’s degree in advanced practice nursing and a certification as a nurse midwife. CNMs are licensed, independent health care providers with prescriptive authority in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and are defined as primary care providers under federal law. This means that CNMs can provide comprehensive gynecological, obstetric and primary care to low risk women, including prescribing medications, across the US.
Where do CNM’s Practice?
The nation’s more than 12,000 CNMs and CMs (Certified Midwives) provide maternity and primary care services to women of all ages in hospitals, birth centers, and homes, with the overwhelming majority practicing in hospitals and private practices and the remainder in homes and free standing birth centers.
Who do CNM’s care for?
CNMs care for low-risk women. Some women with more complicated conditions may be cared for by CNMs alone or co-managed with physicians. CNMs also attend about 11% of all vaginal births in the US, and many more around the world.
Why choose a CNM?
CNMs usually have more time per appointment to spend on physical, emotional and psychological needs than physicians do. They see birth as a normal process in the cycle of life, not as a medical condition to be treated. Women are provided with information and helped toward decisions for their care, both in the clinic setting and during labor, delivery and post partum. Midwives also have an appreciation of complementary and alternative medicines, such as acupuncture, herbs, chiropractics, yoga and meditation.
The ACNM overview Midwifery: Evidence-Based Practice, a Summary of Research on Midwifery Practice in the United States shows that compared to care provided exclusively by physicians, midwife-led care is associated with lower rates of labor induction, higher chances of vaginal birth, reduced risk of preterm birth, and higher chances of a successful start to breastfeeding. A 2011 Press-Ganey national survey also showed that women receiving care from midwives have care satisfaction levels in the 91-95 percentiles.
In addition to improved health outcomes, midwives’ high-touch, low-tech approach to care is associated with lower costs for clients and insurers. Midwives’ judicious, evidence-based use of technology results in a reduced likelihood of unnecessary interventions, including cesareans.
(ACNM)
How can you find a CNM?
The best national resource is the American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM)
Local resources include childbirth-related stores, yoga studios and blogs.