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 Find out what other moms-to-be are asking. Join in the discussion with Henci Goer, an expert in obstetric research. If you would like to contact Henci outside of the Ask Henci forum, send an email to Goersitemail@aol.com.
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Topic: Coming attractions: piece on the NIH c/sec conference report |
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Posted By on 03 May 2006 10:58 AM
Thank you!
Now I am wondering: I keep hearing that I have an eskewed idea about hospital birth practices and that most everything I criticise (induction, epidurals, all the labor interventions) are only done if women request them or if they are needed. That they deal with a lot of moms in hospitals who refuse to educate themselves and have a do-me approach.
In looking for a true picture about what is going on in hospitals, I have, one side people who support the system and say things are changing all the time, and on the other side, women who are not satisfied and hurt. What is the true picture? Do you have any insights? From your articles, I come to believe that it is not all that good out there, am I wrong? Is overal good but just needs some improvement?
I feel a little lost in this.
Thanks,
maria. By: Anonymous |
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RE: Coming attractions: piece on the NIH c/sec conference report |
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Archived User
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| 14 May 2006 01:03 AM |
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Regarding your last paragraph, I was wondering about the Federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act. It says: 'a woman has the right to refuse a c-section, invoking her right according to the EMTALA (can't find the exact clause right now) and the hospital has no right to refuse a woman care if she is in active labor within so many miles of the hospital. If this were violated, could she not sue?
maria. By: maria |
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| 12 May 2006 07:09 AM |
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Once again, the Childbirth Connection website comes to the rescue. You can download the first Listening to Mothers survey report, which was carried out in 2002 and covered women giving birth in 2000-2002. In it you will find that most women thought that the natural process should not be interfered with unless necessary. Nonetheless, most women were subjected to numerous practices and procedures for which there is no evidence of benefits with frequent or routine use, but there is evidence of harm. Most women were also ill-informed about the adverse effects of epidurals, which would make it impossible for them to make an informed choice on whether to have one. Listening to Mothers 2006 reports on women giving birth in 2005. Nine percent of women reported feeling pressured by their care provider to agree to a cesarean, 11% felt pressured to agree to an induction, and 7% to agree to an epidural. This time, the survey asked questions about the adverse effects of cesarean surgery. Most women either did not know the answer or gave an incorrect answer.
As to what I think about the system, the picture I see is a bleak one. One can only conclude that something has gone horribly wrong in a system where nearly 1 in 3 women overall and 1 in 4 low-risk first-time mothers give birth by major abdominal surgery with all that entails in risk, pain, and consequences for future reproductive health. No reasonable person can think that this percentage of women need surgery in order to be healthy women giving birth to healthy babies. And, as Listening to Mothers documented, the cesarean surgery epidemic is the tip of the iceberg. Few women having hospital delivery escape without being inappropriately subjected to at least one and usually several procedures, drugs, or restrictions with potential for harm.
Moreover, there is no internal mechanism for putting things right. The system does not hold care providers or institutions accountable for management practices that are unsafe, ineffective, or generally both. Care providers are not held accountable for providing inadequate, no, or misinformation to women. Nor are they held accountable for unethical practices such as using coercion or threats to achieve compliance or for human rights violations such denial of VBAC, which forces women to agree to surgery in order to obtain medical care. And, as the recent NIH conference showed, those who should be in the forefront of trying to improve care practices have completely abrogated their responsibilities to advocate for what best preserves the health and well-being of mothers and babies.
To blame the victim for this debacle simply adds insult to injury.
-- Henci By: Henci Goer |
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| 03 May 2006 03:58 PM |
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Thank you!
Now I am wondering: I keep hearing that I have an eskewed idea about hospital birth practices and that most everything I criticise (induction, epidurals, all the labor interventions) are only done if women request them or if they are needed. That they deal with a lot of moms in hospitals who refuse to educate themselves and have a do-me approach.
In looking for a true picture about what is going on in hospitals, I have, one side people who support the system and say things are changing all the time, and on the other side, women who are not satisfied and hurt. What is the true picture? Do you have any insights? From your articles, I come to believe that it is not all that good out there, am I wrong? Is overal good but just needs some improvement?
I feel a little lost in this.
Thanks,
maria. By: Anonymous |
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| 30 Apr 2006 02:38 PM |
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Without a doubt, aside from the materials on this website, the Childbirth Connection website (formerly the Maternity Center Association) is the hands down winner! Notice that it has two areas, one for professionals and one for the general public. This makes it an especially useful source for those nurses and the skeptical midwife. In addition, my own personal website, HenciGoer.com, has a page with links to my online articles and another with resources.
-- Henci By: Henci Goer |
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| 30 Apr 2006 04:27 AM |
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Hi,
I am a new member. I just wanted to say thank you for posting these link!!
I am in huge discussion with a nurse and a CNM who simply do not believe what I, a lay person, an informed mom, tell them about the dangers of current OB practices.
Because there really is not much more I can say, I was going to post every single study you mention in your book, Mrs. Goer, but I was wondering, since I now found this forum: what would be the best online resources you could guide me to that support you conclusions in your book?
Thank you very much!
maria. By: maria |
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Archived User
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Archived User
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| 06 Apr 2006 03:23 PM |
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I was at the March 26-29, 2006 NIH conference representing Lamaze. Let's just say it was everything I expected it to be and more. There is an excellent analysis of the conference report's many flaws on the Childbirth Connection (formerly Maternity Center Assoc.) website.
-- Henci By: Henci Goer |
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