The following is the story of my recent troubles with Bell's Palsy and Lyme disease.
I did yard work on a Friday, and even though I showered and changed clothes immediately after, I guess I picked up a tick. On Sunday as I started the car to leave church my arm itched and lo and behold a tick! By Tuesday the bite area was inflamed and itchy and red and about 3 inches across. There was no tell-tale bulls-eye though, so I wasn't sure if it could be Lyme's related. (Now I know that the affected area doesn't have to have a white center with a ring around it.)
So I asked my husband if I should go to the doctor. (Which I was reluctant to do because we don't have ins. and pay out of pocket. He said that it did look bad and that I should go in if I felt like I needed to.) The next day I took the kids swimming for the first time this summer. While at the pool I noticed that it was very bright out and remarked that next time I should bring a pair of sunglasses.
I got in the pool and swam with the children. My eldest daughter said, "Mom, your face looks funny. Some thing's funny with your eye." I told her that it was just the brightness making my eyes squint. Hours later when we were getting ready to leave I looked in the mirror in the bathroom and noticed that indeed something was funny with my eye. I couldn't wink nor was I blinking very well. (Shortly after my mouth started to feel funny and not work right either.)
We went to the grocery store where a friend saw me in the parking lot. I told her to check out my face and she said she thought it looked like Bell's Palsy.
I went home and my husband wanted me to go to the emergency room. But I didn't want to. I called my mom and asked her to look up Bell's Palsy on the computer (since I can't use my own computer because it is infected with gnarly viruses thanks to all the losers in the world who have nothing better to do than to be malicious.) It sounded like I had Bell's Palsy and I figured I should go to my general practitioner.
The next day I called a friend of mine before calling the doctor. I told her what was going on with me and she looked in a book of symptoms and read to me about Bell's Palsy. I mentioned that I was wondering if the tick bite had anything to do with it. She read the Lyme's page and at the bottom it said that Lyme's can cause Bell's Palsy like symptoms.
Bell's Palsy is inflammation that affects a nerve behind your ear. The nerve controls blinking and the use of the right side of your face including your mouth. From the brow to the jaw there is paralysis. The paralysis does not take away your feelings though, you still have sensation, unlike with a stroke. The nerve damage can also affect your taste, leaving your tongue with a metallic taste. Also your affected eye doesn't tear as much as it should. It is best to lubricate the eye and wear a patch to avoid corneal damage. With Bell's Palsy there may be tenderness in the glands on the affected side. (Bell's Palsy can cause paralysis to either side of the face, and although possible, it rarely affects both sides.)
Bells' Palsy can be triggered or caused by a whole range of things... Pregnancy, Viral or Bacterial infections and more. In most cases it is caused by the herpes simplex virus ( which causes cold sores, canker sores & fever blisters) which lies dormant in your body until you are worn down from stress, lack of sleep, etc... in such a case an anti-viral medication and the steroid Prednisone should be taken right away for best results, within 7 days. (Although anti-viral medication with Prednisone has in some studies shown to aid in recovery, other studies have shown a similar degree of recovery when not taking medications.)
Pregnancy induced Bell's Palsy is likely caused by the increase in the volume of blood which causes pressure to the nerve behind your ear. In this case if there is not a viral or bacterial origin then an anti-infammatory may help. Steroids, particularly Prednisone are usually prescribed to non-pregnant people, but they are harmful to unborn babies. Prescription strength Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory that may be taken during pregnancy.
In my case my doctor was able to see me on Friday. I didn't want to start an antibiotic until I knew whether I had Lyme's or not. I guess I blew it and I should have started the antibiotic on Friday. I waited until we got the results back on the following Wednesday. The result was that I tested positive for Lyme's.
I guess I was in denial that this was Lyme's related. I have never had canker sores or fever blisters, I'm not pregnant nor do I have any of the many other things that can trigger Bell's Palsy like diabetes, chickenpox, shingles, otitis media etc... so I should have accepted that it was caused by Lymes. But I felt like I had been under self-induced stress and lack of sleep, and I have had cold sores in the past, so I thought maybe it could be viral.
Anyway, now I know that I am experiencing Lyme's induced neurological complications and I am treating it with antibiotics. I feel like I need to share my story so that others will act fast when they get a reaction to a tick bite and I want to help inform others about Bell's Palsy. Before getting this troublesome illness I had never heard of this form of paralysis. Now that I have it I have run into so many people who have suffered with Bell's Palsy themselves or their mother, sister, brother, friend, etc... has had it.
I have decided that I am going to start an interactive Bell's Palsy website so that people can share how they went about treating this condition which is somewhat difficult to diagnose and which the medical system does not have conclusive treatment for. There are also alternative healing methods which may help.
Right now I need to study about Lyme's disease and the best way to treat this illness. Please pray for me and if you or anyone you know has any info to share about Lyme's or Bell's Palsy, please let me know!
Susana Baig
Friday, August 15, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Want To See Home Birth On TV? Sign Petition
Jenne Alderks has started a petition Start At Home: Positive Portrayals of Homebirth on TV . The point of the petition is to convey to tv producers at HGTV that there are many of us who would prefer to see peaceful homebirths vs. the screaming births typically portrayed on the tv and in movies.
She writes on her blog, Descent Into Motherhood, that while watching HGTV she got an idea for a show about homebirth. She writes:
Today as I was watching HGTV, I had an idea based off the current slogan "Life's Biggest Moments Start at Home" and some of the taglines in the commercials that describes home as a place for new beginnings and celebrations.
I would love to see a show like this portraying birth as a "normal" event that families can celebrate within their homes, as opposed to the unnaturalness of hospital birthing. The homebirthing community and supporters are looking for the media to portray birth in the way it ideally can be for the majority of families. HGTV could place a special role in this.
Read the rest of her post.
She writes on her blog, Descent Into Motherhood, that while watching HGTV she got an idea for a show about homebirth. She writes:
Today as I was watching HGTV, I had an idea based off the current slogan "Life's Biggest Moments Start at Home" and some of the taglines in the commercials that describes home as a place for new beginnings and celebrations.
I would love to see a show like this portraying birth as a "normal" event that families can celebrate within their homes, as opposed to the unnaturalness of hospital birthing. The homebirthing community and supporters are looking for the media to portray birth in the way it ideally can be for the majority of families. HGTV could place a special role in this.
Read the rest of her post.
Birthing Twins At Home
Read Australian midwife, Lisa Barrett's, thoughts about carrying twins and watch a video of a twin homebirth.
The following is an excerpt from her post:
If she is planning a homebirth 2 midwives always seem to me to be the best thing. This may come from my own UK background of training. Usually I work alone with the woman, but for 2 babies and a mother it seems to me another midwife is the right thing. I appreciate however than most babies singletons or twins will birth just fine and there are freebirths of twins that work out well. I can only work in the midwifery style I feel to be the gold standard of care for women and their babies.
Homebirth.org.uk has some interesting stories of both hospital and home and a set of guidelines written by Mary Cronk as an indication of how midwives may practice.
The following is an excerpt from her post:
If she is planning a homebirth 2 midwives always seem to me to be the best thing. This may come from my own UK background of training. Usually I work alone with the woman, but for 2 babies and a mother it seems to me another midwife is the right thing. I appreciate however than most babies singletons or twins will birth just fine and there are freebirths of twins that work out well. I can only work in the midwifery style I feel to be the gold standard of care for women and their babies.
Homebirth.org.uk has some interesting stories of both hospital and home and a set of guidelines written by Mary Cronk as an indication of how midwives may practice.
Home birth: A woman's right to choose?
A CNM posted her thoughts about the AMA's recent resolution against homebirth. She states:
The resolution states the safest place to labor and deliver and recover is a hospital or accredited birth center.
Do I truly believe that? Not in every case. In my rather long career I have done 2 planned home births, 1 unplanned roadside birth and a couple of car births. I don't think that qualifies me as an expert. I am a woman though and I will claim to be an expert at that.
I believe that a woman should have a right to choose where she delivers her baby. I don't think any legislative body should dictate that to her. I believe it is a woman's responsibility to educate herself about birth, home, hospital or birth center.
One woman named Jackie made this comment:
In theory the mother's right to chose sounds nice, but I agree with Lisa in Ontario. Too many things can go wrong and there are only seconds to save the baby's life. The hospital delivery can have a baby in distress delivered in the time it would take the home delivery to call 911 and give their address. I think the safety of the baby out weighs the comfort of the mother.
I left the following comment:
It is refreshing to read your open-minded post. I am the mother of 7 children and I have given birth in the hsp. with CNM's twice, once at home with a lay midwife, and 4 times unassisted with only my husband and family assisting me.
I think a woman has the right to choose where and with whom she wants to give birth. I can appreciate Jackie's comment, but I have to say that hospital birth can detrimentally affect more than a mother's comfort. By birthing in the hospital a woman's life is endangered as her risk of cesarean greatly increases. With this risk her chance of hemhorrage and hysterectemy are also higher. For the woman who plans on a large family, hopsital birth is a danger. For some woman religious beliefs affect their family size.
The medical establishment should strive to serve the consumer and not be in authority over our bodies and choices. It would be much safer to have people willing and able to work with homebirthers rather than be oppositional, judgemental, arrogant and condescending.
You can read her post and the comments that have been left.
The resolution states the safest place to labor and deliver and recover is a hospital or accredited birth center.
Do I truly believe that? Not in every case. In my rather long career I have done 2 planned home births, 1 unplanned roadside birth and a couple of car births. I don't think that qualifies me as an expert. I am a woman though and I will claim to be an expert at that.
I believe that a woman should have a right to choose where she delivers her baby. I don't think any legislative body should dictate that to her. I believe it is a woman's responsibility to educate herself about birth, home, hospital or birth center.
One woman named Jackie made this comment:
In theory the mother's right to chose sounds nice, but I agree with Lisa in Ontario. Too many things can go wrong and there are only seconds to save the baby's life. The hospital delivery can have a baby in distress delivered in the time it would take the home delivery to call 911 and give their address. I think the safety of the baby out weighs the comfort of the mother.
I left the following comment:
It is refreshing to read your open-minded post. I am the mother of 7 children and I have given birth in the hsp. with CNM's twice, once at home with a lay midwife, and 4 times unassisted with only my husband and family assisting me.
I think a woman has the right to choose where and with whom she wants to give birth. I can appreciate Jackie's comment, but I have to say that hospital birth can detrimentally affect more than a mother's comfort. By birthing in the hospital a woman's life is endangered as her risk of cesarean greatly increases. With this risk her chance of hemhorrage and hysterectemy are also higher. For the woman who plans on a large family, hopsital birth is a danger. For some woman religious beliefs affect their family size.
The medical establishment should strive to serve the consumer and not be in authority over our bodies and choices. It would be much safer to have people willing and able to work with homebirthers rather than be oppositional, judgemental, arrogant and condescending.
You can read her post and the comments that have been left.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Living Within Your Means Requires Patience, and Ingenuity
I have written several posts with the goal of helping other moms who want to add to the family income by spending less.
Read my latest post to Susan's Homespun Life, Living Within Your Means Requires Patience, and Ingenuity
Read my latest post to Susan's Homespun Life, Living Within Your Means Requires Patience, and Ingenuity
Thursday, July 17, 2008
What About Safety?
Cesarean Photo From The Attached MotherWhile watching one of the Star Wars movies my 9 year old son said, "Wouldn't that be awful having robots deliver your baby?"
I have always thought it interesting how many technological things in sci-fi movies, like remote phones, robots, stealth crafts etc... become a reality. The other night on the news it was reported that scientists are working on making several super powers a reality. These are jet-packs, invisible objects, and superhuman strength exo-skeletons.
I don't doubt that science will try to bring robotic births to life.
Yes, new technology will be invented and touted as able to make birth safer, like the new device Birth Track. This gizmo is purported to, "prevent labor complications, shorten the delivery process, mitigate the risk of malpractice, and deliver significant cost savings to hospitals and insurance companies."
How does it accomplish this? The, "BirthTrack system monitors cervical dilatation by transmitting ultrasonic waves from transducers (placed on the abdomen) to receivers affixed safely and painlessly to the mother's cervix." Check out the graphic on the Birth Track website which illustrates how it is used during labor. Rixa, author of True Face of Birth wrote a satirical post about this tool which is sure to become an OB's favorite as it is claimed to be a "support tool during litigation."
Such devices are destined to become a routine part of birth until the medical profession is one day able to offer mechanical wombs for growing babies which would then render birth perfectly "safe" and certainly less prone to litigation since more technology equals less liability.
This whole talk about what makes birth "safe" is driving me nuts. I have been reading over and over again on the web how hospital birth is the safest place to bring forth a child from a woman's body. One Dr. on the Internet has even gone so far as to encourage cesareans performed at 39 weeks, claiming that this is the safest route for babies to be born. Meaning that babies born this way have the highest percentage of surviving birth.
Apparently, it doesn't matter that mothers who undergo c-sections have a greater chance of dying from hemorrhage, as well as increased risk of hysterectomy and other problems. And with each subsequent cesarean her risks are even greater. Nor does it concern Dr. Amy that babies born via c-section at 39 weeks have a greater chance of being born prematurely and of becoming asthmatic.
I am not interested in a perfectly safe birth if it means that my birth resembles a sci-fi movie. There are pros and cons to most everything in life and the cons of technocratic hospital birth, despite OB's claims of "safety" scream at me to stay away from hospitals as much as possible.
I have always thought it interesting how many technological things in sci-fi movies, like remote phones, robots, stealth crafts etc... become a reality. The other night on the news it was reported that scientists are working on making several super powers a reality. These are jet-packs, invisible objects, and superhuman strength exo-skeletons.
I don't doubt that science will try to bring robotic births to life.
Yes, new technology will be invented and touted as able to make birth safer, like the new device Birth Track. This gizmo is purported to, "prevent labor complications, shorten the delivery process, mitigate the risk of malpractice, and deliver significant cost savings to hospitals and insurance companies."
How does it accomplish this? The, "BirthTrack system monitors cervical dilatation by transmitting ultrasonic waves from transducers (placed on the abdomen) to receivers affixed safely and painlessly to the mother's cervix." Check out the graphic on the Birth Track website which illustrates how it is used during labor. Rixa, author of True Face of Birth wrote a satirical post about this tool which is sure to become an OB's favorite as it is claimed to be a "support tool during litigation."
Such devices are destined to become a routine part of birth until the medical profession is one day able to offer mechanical wombs for growing babies which would then render birth perfectly "safe" and certainly less prone to litigation since more technology equals less liability.
This whole talk about what makes birth "safe" is driving me nuts. I have been reading over and over again on the web how hospital birth is the safest place to bring forth a child from a woman's body. One Dr. on the Internet has even gone so far as to encourage cesareans performed at 39 weeks, claiming that this is the safest route for babies to be born. Meaning that babies born this way have the highest percentage of surviving birth.
Apparently, it doesn't matter that mothers who undergo c-sections have a greater chance of dying from hemorrhage, as well as increased risk of hysterectomy and other problems. And with each subsequent cesarean her risks are even greater. Nor does it concern Dr. Amy that babies born via c-section at 39 weeks have a greater chance of being born prematurely and of becoming asthmatic.
I am not interested in a perfectly safe birth if it means that my birth resembles a sci-fi movie. There are pros and cons to most everything in life and the cons of technocratic hospital birth, despite OB's claims of "safety" scream at me to stay away from hospitals as much as possible.
Homebirth Photos of Dee peacefully, joyously giving birth in her bathtub
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
A Great Article About Birth Choices
I found the article, Home Made Inside Baltimore's Home-Birth Underground to be a very well-rounded article. It nicely presents the many facets of the current home vs. hospital debate. I say current, because as is pointed out in the book that I am currently reading, Safer Childbirth? this debate has been going on for years. I will discuss this book in another post, as I am considering starting a monthly book review for this blog. For now, I will turn my sights back to the forementioned news article.
Like I said, it is a good an article as it gets. There is of course the usual fare of Dr.s quoted, stating their opinions against homebirth. But the journalist gives a fair shake to all sides, which is not always done.
The following quote interested me:
Well, yes, says Khouzami. "If you are here long enough, we are going to do something to you. It's a matter of time. I will be the first one to admit that," he says. "The trade-off is that I am going to make sure that nothing happens to you or to the baby.
"So which risk do you want? You can't have it both ways."
Khouzami oversees Maryland's most prolific labor and delivery hospital ward: GBMC physicians and staff delivered nearly 5,000 babies in 2007. Almost half--42 percent--of those babies arrived via surgery.
No, you can't have it both ways here in America. Rarely, (if ever) can you have a homebirth and have the backup of an OB on call for you, ready in case complications arise. Instead it is all or nothing. Home OR hospital. And the way things are going it seems like SOON it will be HOME = VAGINAL, HOSPITAL = C-Section. It is incredible to me that any hospital could have a 42 percent c-section rate! I dare to say that this is where modern medicine is headed people. 100% cesareans.
I like Marsden Wagner's quote from the Business of Being Born, "If you want a natural birth, get the heck out of the hospital!"
This reminds me of homeschool. One state we lived in allowed for homeschoolers to participate in the school system. My daughter attended a couple of classes twice a week, went on a field trip and even participated in a play. She loved it. We were able to pick and choose according to what worked best for our family. However, when we lived in another state it was all or nothing. You either homeschooled or public schooled. We didn't like this arrangement, but we chose homeschool.
I don't understand why we can't get past this divisiveness and lack of choice in America. We are the land of the FREE. We should be able to homeschool and participate in public school (since we are taxpayers) and we should be able to homebirth with the assitance/cooperation of those who have sworn to help those who need it (since this is a consumer based society and we are consumers!)
We must speak out and fight for our rights.
Like I said, it is a good an article as it gets. There is of course the usual fare of Dr.s quoted, stating their opinions against homebirth. But the journalist gives a fair shake to all sides, which is not always done.
The following quote interested me:
Well, yes, says Khouzami. "If you are here long enough, we are going to do something to you. It's a matter of time. I will be the first one to admit that," he says. "The trade-off is that I am going to make sure that nothing happens to you or to the baby.
"So which risk do you want? You can't have it both ways."
Khouzami oversees Maryland's most prolific labor and delivery hospital ward: GBMC physicians and staff delivered nearly 5,000 babies in 2007. Almost half--42 percent--of those babies arrived via surgery.
No, you can't have it both ways here in America. Rarely, (if ever) can you have a homebirth and have the backup of an OB on call for you, ready in case complications arise. Instead it is all or nothing. Home OR hospital. And the way things are going it seems like SOON it will be HOME = VAGINAL, HOSPITAL = C-Section. It is incredible to me that any hospital could have a 42 percent c-section rate! I dare to say that this is where modern medicine is headed people. 100% cesareans.
I like Marsden Wagner's quote from the Business of Being Born, "If you want a natural birth, get the heck out of the hospital!"
This reminds me of homeschool. One state we lived in allowed for homeschoolers to participate in the school system. My daughter attended a couple of classes twice a week, went on a field trip and even participated in a play. She loved it. We were able to pick and choose according to what worked best for our family. However, when we lived in another state it was all or nothing. You either homeschooled or public schooled. We didn't like this arrangement, but we chose homeschool.
I don't understand why we can't get past this divisiveness and lack of choice in America. We are the land of the FREE. We should be able to homeschool and participate in public school (since we are taxpayers) and we should be able to homebirth with the assitance/cooperation of those who have sworn to help those who need it (since this is a consumer based society and we are consumers!)
We must speak out and fight for our rights.
Friday, June 27, 2008
I Finally Watched the Business of Being Born
I just finished watching the Business of Being Born with a friend of mine who just had her first uc seven months ago. We both shook our heads here and there and gasped occasionally, too as we sat side-by-side nursing our babes.
Now I can totally understand the AMA's knee-jerk reaction that led to their recent "resolution" against homebirth! They are scared out of their minds that women in this country are going to wake up from their twilight sleep and turn to midwives and homebirth in order to reclaim their power.
It occurred to me while watching the movie why so many women want drugs during birth. Hospital birth is painful and just plain screwed up! No wonder women want to bypass that whole experience by numbing their bodies/emotions/brains.
I just can't tell you how it bothers me, deep down to my core to witness a male OB standing there having his way with a laboring woman's body while she lays their with her feet up in the air terrified and willing to accept any violation that the doctor says is "necessary" to ensure the health and safety of her baby. (Talk about taking advantage of someone!) This whole scene just screams to me that something is WRONG! On the other hand, watching a woman on her knees, squatting or standing up while she gives birth to her child is soo awe inspiring, so REAL, so RIGHT! One disgusts me, the other inspires me.
Some words from the BOBB that spoke to me:
"It's done, surgery, 1,2,3." Woman stating why she wanted a c-section.
"I call it "Feminist Machoism.... Personally I don't think it's important." OB stating his opinion about a woman's desire to birth at home naturally.
"Designer Birth.... schedule c-section and a tummy tuck at the same time." Woman describing New York women's trendy birth choices.
"Very few doctors have ever viewed a natural birth... It's almost an oxymoron." So true!
"It's the most common major surgical procedure for women in the US." SCARY!
"Someone has to step in and stop it or else we're gonna get to 100%" Stated by an OB about the current cesarean rate. Funny, this same OB condemned homebirth.
"C-sections are just more plastic surgery." Statement by an OB who is explaining why women today are so accepting of c-sections. SAD!!!!
Ok, that's my rant for today. I am at the library ('cause my computer picked up some gnarly virus) so I need to run for now!!!! Have you seen the BOBB? What are your thoughts? You can order the movie from the link on my sidebar if you don't have Netflix!
Now I can totally understand the AMA's knee-jerk reaction that led to their recent "resolution" against homebirth! They are scared out of their minds that women in this country are going to wake up from their twilight sleep and turn to midwives and homebirth in order to reclaim their power.
It occurred to me while watching the movie why so many women want drugs during birth. Hospital birth is painful and just plain screwed up! No wonder women want to bypass that whole experience by numbing their bodies/emotions/brains.
I just can't tell you how it bothers me, deep down to my core to witness a male OB standing there having his way with a laboring woman's body while she lays their with her feet up in the air terrified and willing to accept any violation that the doctor says is "necessary" to ensure the health and safety of her baby. (Talk about taking advantage of someone!) This whole scene just screams to me that something is WRONG! On the other hand, watching a woman on her knees, squatting or standing up while she gives birth to her child is soo awe inspiring, so REAL, so RIGHT! One disgusts me, the other inspires me.
Some words from the BOBB that spoke to me:
"It's done, surgery, 1,2,3." Woman stating why she wanted a c-section.
"I call it "Feminist Machoism.... Personally I don't think it's important." OB stating his opinion about a woman's desire to birth at home naturally.
"Designer Birth.... schedule c-section and a tummy tuck at the same time." Woman describing New York women's trendy birth choices.
"Very few doctors have ever viewed a natural birth... It's almost an oxymoron." So true!
"It's the most common major surgical procedure for women in the US." SCARY!
"Someone has to step in and stop it or else we're gonna get to 100%" Stated by an OB about the current cesarean rate. Funny, this same OB condemned homebirth.
"C-sections are just more plastic surgery." Statement by an OB who is explaining why women today are so accepting of c-sections. SAD!!!!
Ok, that's my rant for today. I am at the library ('cause my computer picked up some gnarly virus) so I need to run for now!!!! Have you seen the BOBB? What are your thoughts? You can order the movie from the link on my sidebar if you don't have Netflix!
Saturday, June 21, 2008
A Homebirth/Midwife Ditty
I stumbled on this neat video that I thought you'd enjoy! It is Demetria Clark's response to ACOG and the AMA.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Just In From Ricki Lake
Dear BOBB (Business of Being Born) Friends and Supporters:
We wanted to make sure you are all aware of the news story that has exploded over the last 24 hours regarding the recent AMA Resolution against homebirth and Ricki's response to being named in it....
The reasoning for this resolution begins, "Whereas, There has been much attention in the media by celebrities having home deliveries, with recent Today Show headings such as "Ricki Lake takes on baby birthing industry: Actress and former talk show host shares her at-home delivery in new film...". (Resolution 205, click here to read).
Since when did Ricki become an evidence-based data point? What are they so afraid of?
Just last week, Medical News Today reports that "about 8.2% of infants born in the US in 2005 had low birth weights, the highest percentage since 1968." US infant mortality rates continue to rank us below 30 other countries, 22% of pregnancies are induced, and most worrisome of all, in the last 4 years, the maternal mortality rate has risen above 10 per 100,000 for the first time since 1977. To us, these seem like the troubling trends, not home birth.
News outlets including the AP quickly picked up this story yesterday as it hit TMZ,
E! , USA Today,, Daily News,, FOX.
Ricki will be featured on Good Morning America this Saturday discussing the controversy...
Filmmakers Abby Epstein and Ricki Lake teamed up with journalist and Pushed author Jennifer Block to pen the response for the Huffington Post (click here to read).
Late yesterday, the AMA changed the final wording on resolution 205 to omit the mention of Ricki. (Hmmm...) The AMA says that the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) drafted the initial statement so any issues should be taken up directly with them.
Stay tuned for more news to come...
The BOBB Team
We wanted to make sure you are all aware of the news story that has exploded over the last 24 hours regarding the recent AMA Resolution against homebirth and Ricki's response to being named in it....
The reasoning for this resolution begins, "Whereas, There has been much attention in the media by celebrities having home deliveries, with recent Today Show headings such as "Ricki Lake takes on baby birthing industry: Actress and former talk show host shares her at-home delivery in new film...". (Resolution 205, click here to read).
Since when did Ricki become an evidence-based data point? What are they so afraid of?
Just last week, Medical News Today reports that "about 8.2% of infants born in the US in 2005 had low birth weights, the highest percentage since 1968." US infant mortality rates continue to rank us below 30 other countries, 22% of pregnancies are induced, and most worrisome of all, in the last 4 years, the maternal mortality rate has risen above 10 per 100,000 for the first time since 1977. To us, these seem like the troubling trends, not home birth.
News outlets including the AP quickly picked up this story yesterday as it hit TMZ,
E! , USA Today,, Daily News,, FOX.
Ricki will be featured on Good Morning America this Saturday discussing the controversy...
Filmmakers Abby Epstein and Ricki Lake teamed up with journalist and Pushed author Jennifer Block to pen the response for the Huffington Post (click here to read).
Late yesterday, the AMA changed the final wording on resolution 205 to omit the mention of Ricki. (Hmmm...) The AMA says that the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) drafted the initial statement so any issues should be taken up directly with them.
Stay tuned for more news to come...
The BOBB Team
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
AMA Blasts Homebirth
As a busy mother of 7 children, I don't watch much tv. This being the case I haven't watched the birth shows that air on cable/satellite tv. Today, however, I watched A Baby Story.
Let me tell ya, I had a hard time keeping my jaw off the floor! Which is surprising since I was already aware of the birth scenario I witnessed today:
The mother is crying in pain, husband is terrified, doctor performs numerous vaginal exams, she's dilated to 4 & asks for epidural. After receiving anesthesia her labor stops, pitocin is administered, baby's heart decelerates, a cesarean is mentioned, 7 hours later (when finally dilated and the doctor returns from a nights rest) mother pushes, and pushes and pushes her baby into the world while lying on her back with her feet up in the air. The umbilical cord is quickly cut, baby is whisked away, wiped, weighed, and medicated before being returned to mother.
I know this scenario is played out across the country, I've been aware of it for years, but actually seeing it on tv today was kind of surreal. I just sat there astonished and I wondered about many things, like how doctors can get away with cutting the cord immediately after birth when there is no justification for it as it has been shown to be detrimental to babies.
I thought of the blog posts and comments that I have recently read arguing that one intervention doesn't lead to another. Yeah, right! The proof was right there on the screen... the epidural led to the pitocin.... which led to baby's heart decel... which almost lead to a c-section.
Some other aspects of the birth that I marveled at: the woman's lack of preparation and coping skills, the father's lack of participation, the doctor's ego as he skillfully managed yet another labor and birth.
Watching this show made me grateful all over again that after two painful CNM hospital births, I learned how to cope/manage labor and delivery and have had 4 wonderful unassisted homebirths that proceeded without any crying, vaginal exams, technology, or medications.
After turning off the tv I got on the computer and checked the google alerts where I read in a Daily News article that the AMA blasted homebirth citing Riki Lake and other movie stars who have brought attention to home deliveries.
The AMA has "resolved" to support the ACOG's recent statement against homebirth. They further resolved to develop legislation and rigorous standards for birth to be approved by ACOG the AAP and other hospital based organizations.
Ricki Lake, Jennifer Block, and Abby Epstein quickly sent their response to the Huffington Post.
This is one of their statements:
Research evidence be damned, the doctors want to mandate you to go to the hospital. They don't want you to have a choice.
Reading all of this really gave me the hebejeebies after watching the Birth Story show on tv. To think that doctors want me and my daughters to experience a birth like that! There is no way that I will subject myself to that medicalized routine unless there is a medical indication.
I prefer to birth in the comfort of my own home, in my bathtub even! At home I can labor in my own surroundings, with my family present (but not in my face) and with no strangers. I am able to tune into what my body needs so that I can birth without overwhelming pain.
At home my baby is better cared for as he/she is not exposed to ultrasound, electronic fetal monitor, germs, etc.. and I am not pressured to give medicines that are not needed.
However, because of my age, I foresee in the future that I may want to call on midwives again, either at home or in the hospital, depending on the situation. I want that choice to be available to me, my daughters and future granddaughters.
Please join me in fighting for our rights and the rights of our posterity to birth as we choose! Contact your state representatives, be on the look out for anti-homebirth legislation, and make your opinion known by signing this online Homebirth Petition.
Blog responses to AMA's statement:
Naturalfamilyblog.com
Citizens For Midwifery
Demetria Clark's video response
Some blog responses to ACOG's statement:
wonderfullymadebelliesandbabies
nowombpods.blogspot.com
shekinahbirthing.com
Let me tell ya, I had a hard time keeping my jaw off the floor! Which is surprising since I was already aware of the birth scenario I witnessed today:
The mother is crying in pain, husband is terrified, doctor performs numerous vaginal exams, she's dilated to 4 & asks for epidural. After receiving anesthesia her labor stops, pitocin is administered, baby's heart decelerates, a cesarean is mentioned, 7 hours later (when finally dilated and the doctor returns from a nights rest) mother pushes, and pushes and pushes her baby into the world while lying on her back with her feet up in the air. The umbilical cord is quickly cut, baby is whisked away, wiped, weighed, and medicated before being returned to mother.
I know this scenario is played out across the country, I've been aware of it for years, but actually seeing it on tv today was kind of surreal. I just sat there astonished and I wondered about many things, like how doctors can get away with cutting the cord immediately after birth when there is no justification for it as it has been shown to be detrimental to babies.
I thought of the blog posts and comments that I have recently read arguing that one intervention doesn't lead to another. Yeah, right! The proof was right there on the screen... the epidural led to the pitocin.... which led to baby's heart decel... which almost lead to a c-section.
Some other aspects of the birth that I marveled at: the woman's lack of preparation and coping skills, the father's lack of participation, the doctor's ego as he skillfully managed yet another labor and birth.
Watching this show made me grateful all over again that after two painful CNM hospital births, I learned how to cope/manage labor and delivery and have had 4 wonderful unassisted homebirths that proceeded without any crying, vaginal exams, technology, or medications.
After turning off the tv I got on the computer and checked the google alerts where I read in a Daily News article that the AMA blasted homebirth citing Riki Lake and other movie stars who have brought attention to home deliveries.
The AMA has "resolved" to support the ACOG's recent statement against homebirth. They further resolved to develop legislation and rigorous standards for birth to be approved by ACOG the AAP and other hospital based organizations.
Ricki Lake, Jennifer Block, and Abby Epstein quickly sent their response to the Huffington Post.
This is one of their statements:
Research evidence be damned, the doctors want to mandate you to go to the hospital. They don't want you to have a choice.
Reading all of this really gave me the hebejeebies after watching the Birth Story show on tv. To think that doctors want me and my daughters to experience a birth like that! There is no way that I will subject myself to that medicalized routine unless there is a medical indication.
I prefer to birth in the comfort of my own home, in my bathtub even! At home I can labor in my own surroundings, with my family present (but not in my face) and with no strangers. I am able to tune into what my body needs so that I can birth without overwhelming pain.
At home my baby is better cared for as he/she is not exposed to ultrasound, electronic fetal monitor, germs, etc.. and I am not pressured to give medicines that are not needed.
However, because of my age, I foresee in the future that I may want to call on midwives again, either at home or in the hospital, depending on the situation. I want that choice to be available to me, my daughters and future granddaughters.
Please join me in fighting for our rights and the rights of our posterity to birth as we choose! Contact your state representatives, be on the look out for anti-homebirth legislation, and make your opinion known by signing this online Homebirth Petition.
Blog responses to AMA's statement:
Naturalfamilyblog.com
Citizens For Midwifery
Demetria Clark's video response
Some blog responses to ACOG's statement:
wonderfullymadebelliesandbabies
nowombpods.blogspot.com
shekinahbirthing.com
Singing During Labor
In my book I have a chapter entitled, "Vocalizing." In it I extoll the physical, emotional and even spiritual benefits of using this birth tool during labor. Many people probably don't realize that there is a scripture in the book of Isaiah that discusses women vocalizing in labor. I have drawn an illustraton of this scripture. You can view it on the SpiritLed Birth Website.
Tonight I came across a neat video of a woman singing God's praise during labor. Enjoy it, she sings beautifully!
Tonight I came across a neat video of a woman singing God's praise during labor. Enjoy it, she sings beautifully!
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