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Dedicated to Saving The Lives of Those Giving Life to Others
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Maternal Mortality Across the World
BBC News, Monday 26, Oct. 2009
The following is a video and article showing how although the US spends" more money on mothers' health than any other nation in the world, yet women in America are more likely to die during childbirth than they are in most other developed countries, according to the OECD and WHO."
Over 500 women every year die in the US during childbirth, or from childbirth and pregnancy related reasons. WHY... According to Michael Lu, Associate Professor of Obstetrics at UCLA, " NO American woman should die from childbirth in 2009." According to the CDC ( Center for Disease Control ) this figure still represents the fact that African American woman have a maternal mortality rate 3-4 times as high as white women in the US.The article asks WHY so many women die in the US.
The answer lies in the healthcare system...
Maternal Deaths
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FDA Warns of Potential Inaccurate Readings with Fetal Monitor. In a warning released in Sept. 09 , the FDA warned of potentially in accurate readings obtained from Fetal Monitors manufactured by Philips Avalon. The manufacturer stated that the "inaccurate output readings, if not properly addressed, may lead to unnecessary interventions, failure to identify the need for interventions and failure to identify fetal distress." Given the high C-Section rate in the US ( 38%),many times based on fetal heart monitor rates, this newest admission, by the manufacture, is one more reason to depend on a doplar, used by midwives to listen to the fetal heart rate. Fetal Monitor Readings |
Putting Mothers and Babies at Risk: Promoting the Elusive "Cesarean Delivery on Maternal Request"
by Nicette Jukelevics, MA, ICCE
In the Literature BIRTH 36:3 Sept. 2009
The following very well documented article, points out that "based on current birth records or hospital discharge records, one can just as easily conclude that physicians recommended or convinced their healthy patients to undergo a cesarean section." C- Sections being major surgery , come with very serious health risks . Collard et al encourage nurses to advocate for their patients "as well as determine whether fully informed consent has been obtained, including the knowledge of long-term consequences." Ms. Jukelevics has added a suggested Patient Information Form within the article that if signed would signify that the mother is fully informed on risks, advantages, alternatives and consequences in the future for both her and her baby.
Fully Informed Consent Form
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Why Labor is Good For Babies
By Robin Elise Weiss, LCCE, About.com Guide
This very short article points out some of the very basic reasons why labor ( as opposed to C-Sections) are good for babies.The process of labor, when left alone to progress is totally natural and safe.... and necessary for the most optimum of birthing situations for the baby.
Labor
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Five Reasons to Avoid Induction
About.Com: Pregnancy & Childbirth By Robin Elise Weiss, LCCE, About.com
This well developed and well researched article lists very clearly five significant reasons why women should avoid inducing labor. The risks and side effects to both the mother and child during and after birth are very dangerous. Although the "standards of care" tend NOT to emphasis these risks, some of which can prove to be fatal, they do exist and run the range of the use of powerful drugs and devices used to break the water to unnecessary C Sections, which is major surgery. The extensive list of resources and documents backing up this article are worth your time and effort to investigate. The information just could change your life, or the life of a loved one. Avoiding Induction
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Transforming Maternity Care,
Action Steps Toward a High-Quality, High-Value Maternity Care System
By Maureen P. Corry, MPH
Childbirth Connection, NY
This well written and well documented article speaks to how the US medical system has made strides in most areas of health care, except " maternity care delivered to women, newborns and families.."
The article points out common procedures used in hospital births, and shows how the over use of procedures has not improved the outcomes for either mother or baby in decades.
Transforming Maternity Care
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Having a Baby? 10 Questions to Ask
The following document is reprinted from CIMS ( Coalition for Improving Maternity Services).
These very basic questions which a mom to be should ask her provider, before she is in labor , can greatly enhance her ability to birth where, when and how she wants to. It will significantly help her to focus on the process of birth, herself and her baby's birth process and decrease the intensity of the contractions during labor and the possibility and necessity for unnecessary medical interventions.
Questions to Ask
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The Pregnant Patient's Bill of Rights
by Doris Haire, 2000
AIMS , USA
"Many pregnant women are not fully aware of their right of informed consent or of the OB's legal obligation toobtain patient informed consent prior to treatment." Dr. Roberto Calderano-Barcia , former President of the World Congress of OB/GYN's ( FIGO) cautioned 20 years ago that the increase of artificial practices and medical interventions have changed the face of childbirth and made it a very complicated medical procedure with many drugs and many times unnecessary procedures. While these drugs and interventions are increasing during the number of births, the number of autistic babies, retarded babies, premature babies and infant mortality is also increasing. Doris Haire notes that " any trauma or injury .....is experienced by the mom and baby, not the OB".
In the following article Doris Haire points out sixteen (16) RIGHTS that pregnant women have during pregnancy and birth.
RIGHTS
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