Frustration

Most branches of medicine use updated research and evidence based care. Right? If there's a new study involving heart disease and they find that something didn't work well they would typically stop doing it and maybe base their practice on modern research. Why can't obstetrician's do this? How many studies does it take to prove that electronic fetal monitoring is not beneficial to babies? What about episiotomies? We're living in the dark ages in regards to maternity care in the United States.

The latest pile of crap

"ACOG encourages all pregnant women to get prenatal care and to make a birth plan. The main goal should be a healthy and safe outcome for both mother and baby. Choosing to deliver a baby at home, however, is to place the process of giving birth over the goal of having a healthy baby. For women who choose a midwife to help deliver their baby, it is critical that they choose only ACNM-certified or AMCB-certified midwives that collaborate with a physician to deliver their baby in a hospital, hospital-based birthing center, or properly accredited freestanding birth center."

Let me just go throw up in my mouth a little. Because, you know - some surgeon out there knows ALL ABOUT having a normal birth. I love it because at the same time, the UK is saying otherwise.

"The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) support home birth for women with uncomplicated pregnancies. There is no reason why home birth should not be offered to women at low risk of complications and it may confer considerable benefits for them and their families. There is ample evidence showing that labouring at home increases a woman’s likelihood of a birth that is both satisfying and safe, with implications for her health and that of her baby."

ICAN (International Cesarean Awareness Network) has responded to ACOG's statement.

"Since VBAC is the biological normal outcome of a pregnancy after cesarean, ICAN encourages women to get all of the facts about vaginal birth and elective repeat cesarean before making a choice. This decision should not include weighing the choices of your doctor’s malpractice payments but only be a concern of the mother, her baby and their health and safety.

Since some mothers will make the choice to give birth outside of the hospital, we encourage the AABC to not cave into ACOG’s demands that all women give birth in a hospital facility with a surgical specialist, but instead allow women to make their own choices about care providers, birth settings and risk factors. ICAN respects the intelligence of modern women and accepts that the amount of information available about VBAC and elective cesarean should serve as informed consent."

Another thing that's really cute is this. "There are always risks associated with a surgical procedure," said Dr. Berenson. "It's important that women understand the potential risks of these procedures and that there is no scientific evidence regarding their benefits."

WOW! Did they really say that?! Is he talking about episiotomies? Ceserean sections? Nope. Vaginal Rejuvenation. Apparently it's unethical and risky to perform surgery when it's not necessary and potentially dangerous. Who would have thought. It would seem that would apply to a lot of things we do these days. Like maybe circumcision. Add to the previous the fact that we're performing an unethical and risky surgery on someone who hasn't consented. Fun!

One of the big issues here right now is midwifery legislation and the Utah Medical Association trying to outlaw homebirth. You can go here to read the text of the bill and listen to the floor debates. Go here to join the Utah Friends of Midwives yahoogroup and find out what you can do to help kill this bill and protect the freedom of parents to choose medical care for their families.