In a recent article I read some very disturbing and misleading text. I would appreciate your interests in this matter. It is public awareness news items like this that sets back VBAC as an birthing option for women. Here is the full text URL http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/hsn/20..._delivery_after _c-section_1.html (Note ABC News picked up the story for the "Nightly News")
This is the headline "Risk Seen in lady partsl Delivery After C-section" it is very misleading as the opening statement says what the study actually was studying: "Women who've already had a Cesarean section are more likely to suffer a ruptured womb in a subsequent delivery if labor is induced with certain hormone-like drugs, a new study says.
The study of 20,095 Washington state mothers found that uterine rupture is roughly 15 times more common after induction of labor with prostaglandin's than women who have a repeat C-section"
Now we knew this to be true for any women whether they are VBAC, had previous lady partsl births, or are prima's! The fact here is that pitocin and other agents used to augment or induce labor have dangerous side effects! We already knew that but the headline does not say that instead it implies that VBAC is dangerous, very misleading.
The next statement is true but again I see it as a scare tactic "Babies born to women who suffer a burst uterus face a ten-fold increased risk of death in the period surrounding delivery. The findings are reported in today's New England Journal of Medicine" This story makes me wonder who owns these news services, the same corporation as the one who owns the local hospital? There could not be a better advertisement for having a hospital birth or a C-Section than this supposed news item!
In an other paragraph the reader is advised of the risk again for attempting a VBAC "Researchers have known for decades that lady partsl delivery after a C-section can rupture a uterus weakened by scar tissue from the earlier operation. But previous studies haven't been large enough to show whether that risk increases in women who later have labor induced." This type of hype really does set back birthing options for women! how do we as a group oppose and rectify this? I do not have the answer maybe a letter (s) to the editor for the news source. As this appears to be an online article I am not sure who to send it to or if it will be effective or posted! Any ideas are welcome. VBAC have a bad rap and are difficult for many women who are already apprehensive to phantom so why let a story like this off the hook it is full of stats that make it creditable but it is so misleading by the headline and the fact that a woman who is considering a VBAC is less likely to augment or induce the birthing process as they want it to be as nature intended! In the attached message, please read it! There is an e mail address contained in the text to the editor.
Titled "OMG Set back for VBAC News Flash" If you have not joined this club look around at the posts and the links, photos and calendar pages. We as a group should be concerned to insure freedom's for birthing options, the Midwifery Model of Care, and research based practice standards. Please read the attached message as it relates to this subject. I have made a poll too for us to voice our opinion of VBAC as a birthing option.
I tend to be biased towards a more natural childbirth like you, but I know I have to just listen to the mother. If she wants an epidural or a repeat c-section and is aware of the risks, I know I can't make the decision for her. I have a duty to advocate for my clients, not dump my beliefs onto them.
I know you do as a Nurse, So do I! First and foremost we ADVOCATES and educators! As a Doula I think and utilize education during the pre-natal period to make a birth plan with the mothers desires not mine. My responsibility is to educate, give options, and then support whatever her decision is!
That is empowering a woman to have this life event as she desires, not how I think it should be. My role as a Doula allows me to be very objective, I do not have any accountability or at least not in a legal sense for the birth outcome, like the Nursing or Medical staff do!
My sole purpose in the room is to assiat the woman/couple to have a baby as planned in the birth plan and support them throughout regardless of where this birth takes them, educate them about where they are in the birth process or if an intervention has to be utilized. It is my hope that I help both the family as a unit and the providers by taking on some of the load for support and education. I do not at this point want to be their sole subsitute labor coach or provider, but if an emergent event impales me into that role I want to be prepared, intellectually.
I mean I have been the sole support person besides the occasional L&D Nurse, but never the provider (Midwife or Physician) a realm I am not prepared to enter, yet. Much, much more formal education!
jamistlc
244 Posts
I know you do as a Nurse, So do I!
First and foremost we ADVOCATES and educators! As a Doula I think and utilize education during the pre-natal period to make a birth plan with the mothers desires not mine. My responsibility is to educate, give options, and then support whatever her decision is!
That is empowering a woman to have this life event as she desires, not how I think it should be. My role as a Doula allows me to be very objective, I do not have any accountability or at least not in a legal sense for the birth outcome, like the Nursing or Medical staff do!
My sole purpose in the room is to assiat the woman/couple to have a baby as planned in the birth plan and support them throughout regardless of where this birth takes them, educate them about where they are in the birth process or if an intervention has to be utilized. It is my hope that I help both the family as a unit and the providers by taking on some of the load for support and education. I do not at this point want to be their sole subsitute labor coach or provider, but if an emergent event impales me into that role I want to be prepared, intellectually.
I mean I have been the sole support person besides the occasional L&D Nurse, but never the provider (Midwife or Physician) a realm I am not prepared to enter, yet. Much, much more formal education!