November 30, 2021 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, LCCE, FACCE, CD/BDT(DONA), CLE
Talking about difficult subjects in a childbirth class requires both sensitivity and thoughtfulness. Various unexpected outcomes, including experiencing an unplanned cesarean, may cause anxiety and fear for both the pregnant person and their support or partner. Using visual aids that accurately and effectively demonstrate the surgical component of a cesarean can diffuse anxiety and make way for understanding. Using this video of a cesarean surgery, that is recreated using play-doh, is an effective way to present this topic without increasing (and quite likely decreasing) the anxiety that class members might feel around this topic.
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April 29, 2020 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, CD/BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE
April’s Brilliant Activities for Birth Educators serves two purposes! We honor and recognize Cesarean Awareness Month and also share an opportunity to support those educators who are teaching virtually during the COVID-19 global pandemic. When we are teaching virtually, as in person classes are not safe to hold currently, you can use a virtual background behind you that supplements the topic you are covering. In the case of cesareans, you can use an operating room with a baby warmer.
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January 23, 2020 | by: Henci Goer
What are we to make of a new Swedish trial in which women were allocated by chance to either routine induction at 41 weeks or expectant management until 42 weeks (Wennerholm 2019)? The trial was stopped midway through because it had already shown a statistically significant increase, meaning unlikely to be due to chance, in perinatal mortality in the expectant management arm of the trial, and routine induction hadn’t increased the cesarean rate. You may be thinking, “It has long been established that 41-week induction is the better strategy for just these reasons. The Swedish trial just adds to the pile of studies finding in its favor.”
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July 26, 2019 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, LCCE, FACCE, CD/BDT(DONA), CLE
The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) has just released new guidelines for the Management of Breech Presentation at Term (No. 384). These new guidelines were last updated more than 10 years ago. The updated guidelines center informed consent shared decision making and appropriate provider trainer in order to be able to safely and routinely offer vaginal breech births for appropriate candidates.
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October 27, 2018 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, LCCE, FACCE, CD/BDT(DONA), CLE
The Lancet Series shows that the global rate of cesarean birth has doubled in the past 15 years to 21%, and is increasing annually by 4%. It is estimated that there are 6.2 million unnecessary cesareans done each year. China and Brazil together make up half of this number.
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