Man's best Friend
by Jemima Stockton
(article was originally posted at http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/articles/article/jemimastocktoncolumn1.htm/. You can read it, along with working links at that address.MS)
Figure 1: A substance in porridge oats, known as beta glucans, helps gut microbes to grow
Every morning I eat porridge, and then, as the warm oats land in my belly and their complex carbohydrates burn slowly to energise my body for hours, I develop an internal glow, albeit less radiant and a lot more natural than the orange kids in the 1980's advert for Ready Brek. Many may find the resemblance of my preferred breakfast to wallpaper paste a little repulsive, but close your eyes, if you must, tuck into a bowl, and experience the amazing Duracell battery-like powers of porridge.
You won't be alone in enjoying your breakfast either (figure 1, right), because the friendly bacteria in your gut thrive on it too. A substance in the oats, known as beta glucans, helps them to grow. So persevere with that daily helping of wallpaper paste because it's good for you, and it's good for the bugs in your innards, which means it's doubly good for you !
Figure 2: Ruminants are strict vegetarians and have evolved a specialised intestinal compartment containing bacteria capable of breaking down otherwise indigestible plant materials such as cellulose.
If your body's hospitality to bacteria comes as an unwelcome surprise, worry not. The world is teeming with good bacteria that help to sustain life on Earth by carrying out crucial tasks. For example, cyanobacteria convert light energy into chemical energy using the process of photosynthesis, a by-product of which is oxygen. Rhizobacteria, on the other hand, convert, or fix, nitrogen in the air into a form which leguminous plants can use, enabling them to grow. And the benefits don't stop there. Some mammals, such as ruminants (figure 2,left), use bacteria to boost the nutritional value of their diet. Ruminants are strict vegetarians and have evolved a specialised intestinal compartment containing bacteria capable of breaking down otherwise indigestible plant materials such as cellulose. This means that smaller, bite-sized, animals can relax, safe in the knowledge that their bigger counterparts are well fed. In short, microorganisms help humans to breathe easy whilst they enjoy vitamin-rich legumes, and eat meaty ruminants like cattle.
In other words, miniscule microbes can achieve massive feats that utterly belie their size. But a lone bacterium is a powerless and vulnerable single cell. Its survival depends entirely on its external environment.
Indeed, bugs like these rely on the bodies of more sophisticated, multicellular organisms to provide protection, organic nutrients and growth factors, and steady environmental conditions. Given the right environment, bacteria can double their numbers roughly every half hour, producing a formidable force from just a single cell within a short space of time. In fact, such is their productivity that whilst a 500kg cow can generate 1kg of protein per day, a cow-sized mass of bacteria can produce 10 000 times this amount.
HUMAN BOWEL FLORA
Not surprisingly the human body provides an appealing habitat for many bacteria as it maintains a constant temperature. Indeed, each of us plays host to trillions of bacteria, known as our 'normal flora', the vast bulk of which (85%) are harmless, if not beneficial. But 'bacterial residency' is not always granted by default. Each of us employs a menacing array of anti-microbial defences to make sure our blood, lungs and brain remain bug-free zones, although there are plenty of areas readily accessible to microbes and the respiratory, urogenital, and digestive tracts provide prefect 'tropical' living conditions favoured by many types bacteria. The skin also provides sites for colonisation with warm, damp areas, such as the groin and between the toes, proving particularly popular.
But of all the places available to our normal flora, the gut is the most heavily occupied. Why? Because the human digestive tract offers the microbe what New Zealand offers the tourist: a massive variety of environments creating opportunities for a plethora of activities. It is a multicultural melting pot. With something for almost everyone, it's no surprise that the human gut hosts 80% of the body's normal flora and includes more than 500 different bug species.
Though each microbe is tiny, the trillion or so that live in our guts and outnumber the human cells that make up the rest of the body, add at least a kilo in weight to each of us. But if, in the name of weight-loss, you're tempted to shed your body's bacterial load by soaking in a bath of Toilet Duck, or gulping down a bottle of Dettol, you might be wise to reconsider. Our normal flora produces essential nutrients and generates by-products that reduce the risks of developing certain cancers, digestive disorders, and heart disease. It serves our bodies from the cradle to the grave.
Figure 3: With no pre-existing bacteria to demand competition, bugs ingested during the birth process colonise the infant gut within days.
HOW BACTERIA COLONISE NEWBORN BABIES
Actually, bugs start making us their home before we even hit the crib. When a germ-free baby is released from the sterile confines of its mother's womb, it swallows a mouthful of muck. So, upon entering a world full of germs ever keen to enter a fresh new body, the bugless babe is at once no more. It has morphed into a vessel accommodating a mass of microbes, just like its fellow human beings.
Being born is invariably a messy business but the route taken will determine the nature of the mess ingested. Pop out through the birth canal and you will gulp down your mother's vaginal and faecal flora including a wholesome mix of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, E.coli and Enteroccoccus. But burst out through your mother's abdomen, along the path originally promoted by Julius Caesar, gives you a mouthful of an entirely different assortment: hospital-acquired bugs such as Clostridium and Streptococcus are often the main ingredients of a Caesarian baby's bacterial breakfast.
With no pre-existing bacteria to demand competition, bugs ingested during the birth process colonise the infant gut within days. Over the first few days of life, additional types bacteria join the gut flora. Staphylococcus aureus, for example, is transferred from the mother's nipple during suckling, and through kisses and cuddles from doting relatives.
BREAST IS BEST
Some beneficial microbes, like bifidobacteria, receive a helping hand to become established from proteins in breast milk . As a result, after just a few weeks, this bug makes up over 90% of a breastfed baby's intestinal flora. Bifidobacteria make the baby's gut acidic which creates a barrier against infection with bugs which the child has yet to develop natural immunity, including many acid-intolerant disease-causing microbes. But bifidobacteria fail to thrive on the diet of proteins provided by the modified cow's milk used in formula feeds, meaning a formula-fed baby is more prone to infection with harmful gut germs.
Colonisation of the gut by disease-causing microbes can also lead to a life-threatening condition known as necrotising enterocolitis which is common amongst pre-term (premature) babies. For every 10 babies affected, approximately 3 will die and 2 will suffer long-term effects of their illness. Many premature births are the result of complications that necessitate caesarian delivery and breastfeeding is often delayed by several days whilst they are receiving intensive care. Together, these factors can lead to poor quality gut flora and a higher susceptibility to necrotising enterocolitis. Fortunately, recent research indicates that administration of certain probiotic (click for the definition of probiotic) Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains to susceptible infants can decrease the risk of developing the disease.
Amongst older children, the introduction of solid foods into a baby's diet will change the gut flora again, as new substances selectively promote the growth of different bacteria. At the age of about two, once completely weaned off breast milk and onto more grown-up foods such as bangers and mash, mushy peas and macaroni cheese, the floral composition of a child's gut will resemble that of a normal adult - Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium, Eubacterium, and Peptostreptococcus predominate. Each of the different species residing in the digestive tract has a unique set of adaptations making a particular environment suitable for colonisation. And the large variety of species renders almost every part of the gut a cosy niche for some bug or another.
WHY ANTIBIOTICS CAN UPSET YOUR STOMACH
Like settled squatters, these microbial populations are hard to shift, but ageing, and alterations in the gut environment caused by antibiotics can force changes. In general, young people have a healthier gut flora their grandparents, which is one of the reasons why older people are more susceptible to intestinal upsets than their younger counterparts. In the case of antibiotics, unfortunately they don't just kill the bad guys - they also knock out members of the intestinal flora, allowing the numbers of disease-causing bacteria, previously held in check by the predominating friendly bacteria, to begin to multiply. If sufficient numbers of these disease-causing bugs emerge, they can cause a variety of symptoms, including diarrhoea. A common culprit responsible for this type of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea is a native colonic bug called Clostridium difficile. It produces a toxin which damages the bowel wall, triggering diarrhoea. However, treatment with a yeast known as Sacchromyces bombardii can relieve the symptoms, possibly because the yeast can destroy the toxin, thereby allowing the damaged bowel wall to heal.
SO HOW DO DIFFERENT BACTERIA COLONISE THE INTESTINE ?
Microbial access to the digestive tract is via the top. It is a piece of cake: bugs can hitch a lift on food hand-delivered to the mouth. Obviously, conditions must be conducive to growth for a species to set up home in a particular niche, but bugs searching for accommodation in the digestive tract must also be able to withstand the conditions of sites through which they must pass.
Just the thought of an imminent meal can make a hungry person dribble. This is because the brain tells the mouth to prepare for the arrival of food by secreting saliva which makes a chemical and mechanical contribution to digestion. It contains amylase that begins the digestion of starchy foods, such as potatoes and rice, and it moistens and lubricates food to help swallowing. Aside from its roles in the digestive process, saliva also contains antimicrobial substances that inhibit the growth of bacteria. But Streptococcus mutans is a big fan of the mouth area and can easily side-step these defences. It also has a particular fondness for sweet-toothed mouths and, in the presence of cakes and biscuits, it forms films, or 'plaques', on the surfaces of teeth. Bacteria thriving within these plaques turn sugar into acid that then burns holes in teeth. But, before you rush off in search of your toothbrush, it's worth noting that the benefits of this bug's activities are not exclusive to dentists, they extend to you too. The sheer weight in numbers of S.mutans suppresses the growth of another bacterium found in the mouth, Streptococcus pneumoniae, which can cause pneumonia and meningitis. By restricting the numbers of S.pneumoniae, S.mutans decreases the risk of these serious diseases developing, so maybe a few fillings might not be so bad after all !
The next part of the digestive tract, the oesophagus, is a difficult place for bacteria to gain a foothold. Here, microbe-laden food and saliva are in rapid transit to the stomach: there's little time to eye up, choose and settle down in an oesophageal site. Those that manage to colonise this area, such as lactobacilli, can do so only transiently as the oesophageal contents are continuously propelled into the stomach when we swallow.
Heading south from the oesophagus, microbes approach the acid pit of the stomach. In here, food is processed for around three hours, giving microbes plenty of time to attach themselves to the stomach walls. The gastric juices secreted to liquefy food into chime and start the breakdown of protein, are five times more acidic than lemon juice. So, splashed into your face, lemon juice might cost you a few tears, but stomach acid could cost you your sight. Yet for some, the stomach is a welcome sight for sore eyes - Helicobacter pylori, for example, is very at home here.
HELICOBACTER PYLORI
In 1982, a truly dedicated microbiologist called Barry Marshall drank some live H.pylori. The experiment made Barry very ill, and his wife very angry, but it proved his theory that the bacterium causes gastric ulcers, and H.pylori is now also thought to play a role in the development of gastric and duodenal cancers. But Helicobacter is found in the stomachs of 50% of people, yet only about one fifth of them become unwell, demonstrating that lifestyle factors must also play a role in the development of disease. Indeed, researchers now suspect that under some circumstances an H.pylori presence in the stomach might be quite helpful since the bug seems to protect against infant diarrhoea, and oesophageal disease.
Aside from H.pylori, the stomach houses lactic acid-producing bacteria that include strains of Streptococcus and Lactobacillus. These microbes convert sugar into acid. Some research suggests that lactobacilli can inhibit the growth of H.pylori and decrease enzyme activity needed for its survival in the acid environment. Lactic acid-producing bacteria of the stomach do not require oxygen to survive: they are anaerobic. However, unlike most anaerobic bacteria, certain strains can tolerate oxygenated environments. The stomach is a well-oxygenated area because air swallowed with food arrives here within moments of ingestion. So some lactic acid-producing bacteria grow well here alongside bacteria that need to use the available oxygen.
Most bugs do not relish the harsh conditions of the stomach, and alot will dissolve as they succumb to acid attack. The tough ones drawn to the intestinal habitats beyond must have intrinsic resistance to acid, or a way to bypass the problem, for example under a protective blanket of alkaline milk.
In the maze of the gastrointestinal tract, the small intestine follows the stomach. Food moves through here in about four hours. Substances released from the liver and pancreas help to breakdown food into its constituent molecules. Digestion and absorption of these molecules occur across an enormous surface provided by microvilli, hair-like projections covering the surface of the small intestine.
The first part of the small intestine, called the duodenum, is only slightly less acidic than the neighbouring stomach. However, the availability of oxygen is much reduced due to consumption by bacteria living higher up in the digestive tract. Therefore, this environment is ideal for bugs able to resist acid in the stomach and which are indifferent to the presence of oxygen. Microbes encounter decreasingly acid conditions as they descend through the jejunum and then the ileum of the small intestine. And, from the end of this section of the small intestine, oxygen availability also decreases. The last part of the gastrointestinal tract, the large intestine or colon, is virtually devoid of oxygen.
The main bacterial residents at the relatively acidic top end of the small intestine are Lactobacillus and Enterococcus faecalis. Towards the bottom of this section, where the living conditions are less arduous, less acidic, and more appealing to a wider section of the bacterial community, Lactobacillus and E.faecalis are joined by other bugs such as E. coli, and Bacteroides.
COLONIC FLORA
By the time food reaches the colon, the body's work is almost over: the arsenal of digestion and nutrient-harnessing mechanisms has been spent. The remaining task for the large intestine is to remove the excess water from what's left of the food, or faeces. The transit time through the colon is normally a leisurely 12 to 24 hours. A longer stay in the colon, or dehydration, will impact the faeces, both metaphysically and physically, as more water is removed. Conversely, shorter colonic passage durations, the result of excessive prune consumption or gut-damaging infections for instance, will produce loose stools, or diarrhoea.
The sedate pace in the colon makes it a great place for bugs to fester. In fact, it has so much 'hangout-potential' that bacteria reach levels of over 1000 per millilitre of faeces. The flora in this part of the digestive system include Enterococci, Clostridia and Lactobacilli, but by far the most abundant species are Bacteroides and the oxygen-intolerant lactic acid-producing Bifidobacterium. Thankfully the good bugs outnumber potential villains like E.coli by as much as ten thousand to one.
POTENTIAL PROBIOTIC THERAPIES
Diarrhoeal diseases are common, particularly amongst children, and in developing countries they are a major cause of death - estimates suggest that a child somewhere in the world dies every 15 seconds from a diarrhoeal disease. Promisingly, though, recent research indicates that one strain of Lactobacillus, given in capsule or milk form, can help to treat childhood diarrhoea.
Probiotics like these could also help in the treatment of inflammatory bowel conditions like Crohn's disease. A cocktail of probiotic bacteria, including strains of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Streptococcus, has been proven to provide symptomatic relief for some sufferers.
Figure 4: Strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are known to reduce the risk of cancer partly by reducing levels of cancer-causing substances.
But the potential clinical uses of probiotics are not limited just to these conditions. Bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium may also turn out to be useful tools in the fight against cancers because they have been shown to reduce the levels of cancer-causing substances in the gut. Lactobacillus casei Shirota is one such strain and is present in a well-known Japanese milk-based probiotic drink that is stored in the fridges of approximately 26 million people worldwide (but, sadly, not in mine because I don't like the taste- a shame, given its obvious potential).
As well as cancers, allergic conditions may be prevented by the use of probiotics. When given to pregnant women and then to their infants in the first weeks of life, certain Lactobacillus strains can also reduce the risk of allergy in the newborn.
Probiotics could also represent a cheap alternative to anti-HIV drugs. Probiotic strains of Lactobacillus taken by mouth have been shown to colonise the large intestine, and then to transfer from the rectum to the vagina. Here they are able to modify the vaginal flora to reduce the chances of HIV infection.
Historically, bacteria-laden fermented milk was used to help heal wounds and fight infections. Today, a surgical patient's only likely exposure to this substance is through his cup of NHS tea, but it seems our predecessors may have been wiser then we think. When instilled in the gut flora, one particular strain of Lactobacillus has been shown to reduce infection rates amongst abdominal surgery patients.
Doctors are now unearthing mounting evidence for beneficial effects of probiotic use amongst ill people, but there is very little research-based evidence for the benefits of commercially-available products when used by healthy individuals. With no legislation enforcing the proper identification, documentation, and manufacture of over-the-counter probiotics, consumers are currently clueless about the numbers and activities of the bugs they are swallowing. Misleading marketing leads people to believe that live Lactobacillus acidophilus cultures in some yoghurts confer health benefits - but not all strains of this bacterium are probiotic. Perhaps when we're better informed, our whetted appetites will create a strong market for a range of bug-packed foods and supplements.
So, who knows? 'Special K with freeze-dried berries and lactobacilli' may soon be on the shelves of a supermarket near you. I'll stick with my plain, prebiotic (click here for the definition of prebiotic) oatmeal though I think...or should I? I feel healthy; I don't have the irritable bowel that seems to trouble every man and his dog these days. But how healthy is my gut?
Our stone age ancestors had a diet brimming with bacteria. With 'Tesco's Finest' still a long way off, our forefathers had to settle for what they could forage. Food was usually stored in soil and eaten raw or fermented, introducing billions of bugs with every meal. Plants were particularly abundant and stone age people consumed over ten times as many varieties as we do these days. Consequently, their varied diet allowed them to nurture a gut flora far richer than we manage to sustain today on a diet of chips and chocolate, bringing with it increased protection from allergies and infections, problems that are becoming increasingly common in our sterility-obsessed modern society.
Over the last hundred years or so, we have accumulated knowledge of the possible dangers of microbially contaminated foodstuffs which has unfortunately cultured an extreme fear of germs, and a predilection for chic chrome kitchens and Smeg fridges. Funny then, that we now fill our Smegs with little bottles of the very things they were originally designed to keep out...
GLOSSARY
1 - Live microorganisms which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host are known as probiotics.
2 - Substances ingested to promote the growth of probiotic microbes are called prebiotics.
- December 2005
Friday, December 19, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Inducing labour in pregnant women is risky
Sydney, Dec 10 : Inducing labour in uncomplicated pregnancies can be risky, according to a study.
A quantitative study based on 50,000 first births between 2000 and 2005 showed that induced labours were more likely than spontaneous births to lead to forceps delivery, caesarean section and haemorrhage.
Babies were also more likely to be admitted to nursery care and to require active resuscitation after induced labour.
Mary-Ann Davey of Mother and Child Health Research at La Trobe University, who conducted the study, stressed that the sample included only those women whose pregnancies were progressing in a healthy and normal manner.
"I used data that are routinely collected on all births in Victoria by the midwife attending the birth," Davey said. "I selected those first births that appeared to have no clinical indication for induction of labour.
These were all single pregnancies of normal presentation born between 37 and 40 weeks.
Mothers had no complications, such as pre-existing diabetes, hypertension, cardiac disease or mental illness and those younger than 20 years or older than 45 were excluded from the analysis.
Davey believes that many of the labours were induced for reasons of convenience rather than for any medical indications. Sometimes the pregnancies might be induced because they are past the due date but only by six days or less.
The risk of haemorrhage following induced labour was increased by 17 percent, of an instrumental delivery by 20-70 percent, of nursery care for the infant by 24 percent and active resuscitation by 15-100 percent, depending on the method of induction, said a La Trobe release.
The risk of a caesarean was between two and four times more likely after induction.
--- IANS
A quantitative study based on 50,000 first births between 2000 and 2005 showed that induced labours were more likely than spontaneous births to lead to forceps delivery, caesarean section and haemorrhage.
Babies were also more likely to be admitted to nursery care and to require active resuscitation after induced labour.
Mary-Ann Davey of Mother and Child Health Research at La Trobe University, who conducted the study, stressed that the sample included only those women whose pregnancies were progressing in a healthy and normal manner.
"I used data that are routinely collected on all births in Victoria by the midwife attending the birth," Davey said. "I selected those first births that appeared to have no clinical indication for induction of labour.
These were all single pregnancies of normal presentation born between 37 and 40 weeks.
Mothers had no complications, such as pre-existing diabetes, hypertension, cardiac disease or mental illness and those younger than 20 years or older than 45 were excluded from the analysis.
Davey believes that many of the labours were induced for reasons of convenience rather than for any medical indications. Sometimes the pregnancies might be induced because they are past the due date but only by six days or less.
The risk of haemorrhage following induced labour was increased by 17 percent, of an instrumental delivery by 20-70 percent, of nursery care for the infant by 24 percent and active resuscitation by 15-100 percent, depending on the method of induction, said a La Trobe release.
The risk of a caesarean was between two and four times more likely after induction.
--- IANS
Friday, December 12, 2008
La Leche League Conference
La Leche League of New Jersey presents
Building A Healthy Foundation Area Conference 2009
April 24-26, 2009
Crowne Plaza Hotel, Cherry Hill
All three days open to the public!
Special Guests
Marian Tompson, La Leche League Founder, Member of the Board of Directors
and
Ina May Gaskin, CPM, MA, Author of Spiritual Midwifery and Ina May's Guide to Childbirth
Building A Healthy Foundation Area Conference 2009
April 24-26, 2009
Crowne Plaza Hotel, Cherry Hill
All three days open to the public!
Special Guests
Marian Tompson, La Leche League Founder, Member of the Board of Directors
and
Ina May Gaskin, CPM, MA, Author of Spiritual Midwifery and Ina May's Guide to Childbirth
Infant Massage Class
Birthing Hands of DC & Hot Mama Fitness Studio
Present
“Infant Massage for the Expectant and New Parent”
Sunday, December 14, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Hot Mama Fitness Studio
4715 Cordell Avenue, Suite 200
Bethesda, MD 20814
www.HotMamfitnesstudio.com
Expectant parents and new parents with a child between the age of 0-6 months (pre-crawling) are invited to this class.
By creating safe and easy to learn techniques, Gentle Touch™ Massage involves the use of relaxation techniques, the application of massage strokes and gentle movements on the infant. These techniques will improve your infant’s sleep patterns and promote bonding between you and your infant. Also, these massage strokes can help to relieve your infant’s gas, colic and constipation, and work to strengthen your infant's immune system.
Please bring: a pre-crawling baby or a baby doll, standard size pillow,
and oil/lotion.
Therese Robinson, CMT, Esalen; CR, (IMA), of Birthing Hands of DC, will teach this workshop. She is certified in reflexology and LaStone Therapy, having studied with LaStone founder, Mary Nelson. She received a full scholarship to Esalen Institute in Big Sur, CA and studied prenatal/labor massage with the creator of Nurturing the Mother, Claire Marie Miller. Therese is an ALACE trained labor doula and ICTC-trained labor doula.
Registration Fee: $45.00; $50 at the door
Register @
http://birthinghandsdcinfantmassage.eventbrite.com
For more information about Hot Mama Fitness Studio and
its other workshops and classes please email info@hotmamafitnesstudio.com.
Present
“Infant Massage for the Expectant and New Parent”
Sunday, December 14, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Hot Mama Fitness Studio
4715 Cordell Avenue, Suite 200
Bethesda, MD 20814
www.HotMamfitnesstudio.com
Expectant parents and new parents with a child between the age of 0-6 months (pre-crawling) are invited to this class.
By creating safe and easy to learn techniques, Gentle Touch™ Massage involves the use of relaxation techniques, the application of massage strokes and gentle movements on the infant. These techniques will improve your infant’s sleep patterns and promote bonding between you and your infant. Also, these massage strokes can help to relieve your infant’s gas, colic and constipation, and work to strengthen your infant's immune system.
Please bring: a pre-crawling baby or a baby doll, standard size pillow,
and oil/lotion.
Therese Robinson, CMT, Esalen; CR, (IMA), of Birthing Hands of DC, will teach this workshop. She is certified in reflexology and LaStone Therapy, having studied with LaStone founder, Mary Nelson. She received a full scholarship to Esalen Institute in Big Sur, CA and studied prenatal/labor massage with the creator of Nurturing the Mother, Claire Marie Miller. Therese is an ALACE trained labor doula and ICTC-trained labor doula.
Registration Fee: $45.00; $50 at the door
Register @
http://birthinghandsdcinfantmassage.eventbrite.com
For more information about Hot Mama Fitness Studio and
its other workshops and classes please email info@hotmamafitnesstudio.com.
Monday, December 08, 2008
Childbirth Educator, Lactation Educator, and Labor Doula Training Program SALE!
ALl CAPPA Distance Certification programs marked down 20% now thru this Friday.. Prices reduced at check out
Sale ends Friday!
www.cappa.net
Have you been waiting for the right time to start the process of earning your certification as a Childbirth Educator, Labor Doula, Postpartum Doula, or Lactation Educator? Now is the time! Take advantage of our 20% off sale now thru December 12th, 2008!
We at CAPPA wish you the very best of times during this Holiday Season. As the new year starts, think about your professional goals and remember to give yourself the gift of education! It's the gift that gives back! Now is the time to add CAPPA Distance training programs to your holiday wish list while they are on sale!
This sale includes all CAPPA Distance Certification Programs -Childbirth Educator, Labor Doula, Postpartum Doula, and Lactation Educator.
As always we thank you for your support of CAPPA! We wish you a very Happy Holiday Season and a Happy New Year!
*Sale for items shipped inside USA only. Sale applies to CAPPA On-line store orders only. Sale does not include training workshops. Sale is not retroactive.
Sale ends Friday!
www.cappa.net
Have you been waiting for the right time to start the process of earning your certification as a Childbirth Educator, Labor Doula, Postpartum Doula, or Lactation Educator? Now is the time! Take advantage of our 20% off sale now thru December 12th, 2008!
We at CAPPA wish you the very best of times during this Holiday Season. As the new year starts, think about your professional goals and remember to give yourself the gift of education! It's the gift that gives back! Now is the time to add CAPPA Distance training programs to your holiday wish list while they are on sale!
This sale includes all CAPPA Distance Certification Programs -Childbirth Educator, Labor Doula, Postpartum Doula, and Lactation Educator.
As always we thank you for your support of CAPPA! We wish you a very Happy Holiday Season and a Happy New Year!
*Sale for items shipped inside USA only. Sale applies to CAPPA On-line store orders only. Sale does not include training workshops. Sale is not retroactive.
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
RIGHT FROM THE START
Breastfeeding and Skin-to-Skin
March 6-7, 2009 Berkeley, CA USA
A Benefit for the United States Lactation Consultant Association
CONFERENCE DETAILS GOALS
Explore the cultural, political, physical and clinical context of lactation.
Facilitate networking among those who work with breastfeeding families.
FACULTY and TOPICS
Nils Bergman, MD
Dr. Bergman’s passion starts with “skin-to-skin contact”, his preferred term for what
many people call Kangaroo Care. He regards maternal-infant skin-to-skin contact as a
first and critical intervention in perinatology, with broad public health impacts and
implications. His expertise extends to developmental neuroscience, breastfeeding,
neonatology and obstetrics. He takes an integrated view of these areas, regarding skinto-skin contact as the neurological pre-requisite to successful breastfeeding, with neonatal and obstetric care re-orienting its purpose to maintaining the integrity of the mother-infant dyad. This holistic view he terms “Kangaroo Mother Care”. He was previously a hospital manager, is currently a Public Health Physician, and sees these issues in the broader context of hospitals, health systems and society as whole.
• Perinatal Neuroscience and Skin-to-Skin Contact
• Kangaroo Mother Care: Restoring the Original Paradigm for Infant Care
• The Neurologically Supportive Labor Setting and NICU Environment
• Maternal Perinatal Behavior
• Implementation of Skin-to-Skin Contact
M. Jane Heinig, PhD, IBCLC
Jane Heinig, PhD, IBCLC, is on the faculty in the Department of Nutrition at the
University of California, Davis (UC Davis); executive director of the UC Davis Human
Lactation Center; and the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Human Lactation. She is also chair of the UC Davis Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources Maternal and
Child Nutrition Workgroup and on the faculty of the Master of Advanced Studies in
Maternal and Child Nutrition program at UC Davis. Dr. Heinig is an international
board certified lactation consultant. Dr. Heinig's research area is maternal and child nutrition, particularly during lactation. Current topics of investigation include nutritional factors related to infant growth and development, behavioral theory and its relation to infant feeding intentions and practices among diverse populations, benefits of breastfeeding for infants and their mothers, and cross-case descriptions of breastfeeding promotion and support programs in California.
• Understanding Mother-Infant Interactions: The Key to Increasing Exclusive Breastfeeding Among Low-Income Women
Jane A. Morton, MD
After her pediatric residency at Stanford, Jane became a partner at the Palo Alto
Medical Foundation, where she practiced for almost 20 years and was repeatedly
recognized as one of the top pediatricians in the Bay Area. She was then invited to
join the neonatology faculty at Stanford to develop the Breastfeeding Medicine
Program. Over the past 5 years, she had the opportunity to design a nationally
recognized educational program, publish her original research and travel extensively
and internationally as an invited speaker. As a general pediatrician, she enjoys the full gamut of caring for infants, children and adolescents, supporting families in keeping children physically and emotionally healthy. Respecting the diversity of traditions, beliefs and styles of parenting, her philosophy has been to help families raise children to grow up to feel both lovable and capable. She returns to general practice down the hall from her husband, Dr. Michael Jacobs, and her daughter, Dr. Emma Morton-Bours, internists with Interactive Wellness.
• Over-reliance on Breast Pumps, Under Production of Breastmilk
Ulfat Shaikh MD, MPH
Dr. Shaikh's area of interest is in improving healthcare quality, specifically with respect to pediatric nutrition. Her research broadly deals with identifying factors that influence physician decision-making with respect to pediatric nutrition, and evaluating health system and telehealth interventions to improve healthcare quality. She is currently investigating the role of telehealth applications (clinical telemedicine, distance education, and internet communication), in improving the quality of clinical care in pediatric obesity. She is currently an assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of California Davis School of Medicine.
• Optimizing Breastfeeding Support and Promotion for Adolescent Mothers
• The Breastfeeding Friendly Office
March 6-7, 2009 Berkeley, CA USA
A Benefit for the United States Lactation Consultant Association
CONFERENCE DETAILS GOALS
Explore the cultural, political, physical and clinical context of lactation.
Facilitate networking among those who work with breastfeeding families.
FACULTY and TOPICS
Nils Bergman, MD
Dr. Bergman’s passion starts with “skin-to-skin contact”, his preferred term for what
many people call Kangaroo Care. He regards maternal-infant skin-to-skin contact as a
first and critical intervention in perinatology, with broad public health impacts and
implications. His expertise extends to developmental neuroscience, breastfeeding,
neonatology and obstetrics. He takes an integrated view of these areas, regarding skinto-skin contact as the neurological pre-requisite to successful breastfeeding, with neonatal and obstetric care re-orienting its purpose to maintaining the integrity of the mother-infant dyad. This holistic view he terms “Kangaroo Mother Care”. He was previously a hospital manager, is currently a Public Health Physician, and sees these issues in the broader context of hospitals, health systems and society as whole.
• Perinatal Neuroscience and Skin-to-Skin Contact
• Kangaroo Mother Care: Restoring the Original Paradigm for Infant Care
• The Neurologically Supportive Labor Setting and NICU Environment
• Maternal Perinatal Behavior
• Implementation of Skin-to-Skin Contact
M. Jane Heinig, PhD, IBCLC
Jane Heinig, PhD, IBCLC, is on the faculty in the Department of Nutrition at the
University of California, Davis (UC Davis); executive director of the UC Davis Human
Lactation Center; and the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Human Lactation. She is also chair of the UC Davis Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources Maternal and
Child Nutrition Workgroup and on the faculty of the Master of Advanced Studies in
Maternal and Child Nutrition program at UC Davis. Dr. Heinig is an international
board certified lactation consultant. Dr. Heinig's research area is maternal and child nutrition, particularly during lactation. Current topics of investigation include nutritional factors related to infant growth and development, behavioral theory and its relation to infant feeding intentions and practices among diverse populations, benefits of breastfeeding for infants and their mothers, and cross-case descriptions of breastfeeding promotion and support programs in California.
• Understanding Mother-Infant Interactions: The Key to Increasing Exclusive Breastfeeding Among Low-Income Women
Jane A. Morton, MD
After her pediatric residency at Stanford, Jane became a partner at the Palo Alto
Medical Foundation, where she practiced for almost 20 years and was repeatedly
recognized as one of the top pediatricians in the Bay Area. She was then invited to
join the neonatology faculty at Stanford to develop the Breastfeeding Medicine
Program. Over the past 5 years, she had the opportunity to design a nationally
recognized educational program, publish her original research and travel extensively
and internationally as an invited speaker. As a general pediatrician, she enjoys the full gamut of caring for infants, children and adolescents, supporting families in keeping children physically and emotionally healthy. Respecting the diversity of traditions, beliefs and styles of parenting, her philosophy has been to help families raise children to grow up to feel both lovable and capable. She returns to general practice down the hall from her husband, Dr. Michael Jacobs, and her daughter, Dr. Emma Morton-Bours, internists with Interactive Wellness.
• Over-reliance on Breast Pumps, Under Production of Breastmilk
Ulfat Shaikh MD, MPH
Dr. Shaikh's area of interest is in improving healthcare quality, specifically with respect to pediatric nutrition. Her research broadly deals with identifying factors that influence physician decision-making with respect to pediatric nutrition, and evaluating health system and telehealth interventions to improve healthcare quality. She is currently investigating the role of telehealth applications (clinical telemedicine, distance education, and internet communication), in improving the quality of clinical care in pediatric obesity. She is currently an assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of California Davis School of Medicine.
• Optimizing Breastfeeding Support and Promotion for Adolescent Mothers
• The Breastfeeding Friendly Office
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Now is a great time to advance your career and earn your certification
All CAPPA Distance Certification Programs on Sale
www.cappa.net
Have you been waiting for the right time to start the process of earning your certification as a Childbirth Educator, Labor Doula, Postpartum Doula, or Lactation Educator? Now is the time! Take advantage of our 20% off sale now thru December 12th, 2008!
We at CAPPA wish you the very best of times during this Holiday Season. As the new year starts, think about your professional goals and remember to give yourself the gift of education! It's the gift that gives back! Now is the time to add CAPPA Distance training programs to your holiday wish list while they are on sale!
This sale includes all CAPPA Distance Certification Programs -Childbirth Educator, Labor Doula, Postpartum Doula, and Lactation Educator.
As always we thank you for your support of CAPPA! We wish you a very Happy Holiday Season and a Happy New Year!
*Sale for items shipped inside USA only. Sale applies to CAPPA On-line store orders only. Sale does not include training workshops. Sale is not retroactive.
www.cappa.net
Have you been waiting for the right time to start the process of earning your certification as a Childbirth Educator, Labor Doula, Postpartum Doula, or Lactation Educator? Now is the time! Take advantage of our 20% off sale now thru December 12th, 2008!
We at CAPPA wish you the very best of times during this Holiday Season. As the new year starts, think about your professional goals and remember to give yourself the gift of education! It's the gift that gives back! Now is the time to add CAPPA Distance training programs to your holiday wish list while they are on sale!
This sale includes all CAPPA Distance Certification Programs -Childbirth Educator, Labor Doula, Postpartum Doula, and Lactation Educator.
As always we thank you for your support of CAPPA! We wish you a very Happy Holiday Season and a Happy New Year!
*Sale for items shipped inside USA only. Sale applies to CAPPA On-line store orders only. Sale does not include training workshops. Sale is not retroactive.
Nourish A Child.org Lactation Training Workshop
Nourish A Child.org is proud to announce our new schedule for 2009!
Updated for 2009, the new 18-Hour Lactation Workshop is now approved by UNICEF and BabyFriendlyUSA and include the 10 Steps for Successful Breastfeeding ...these EXTENSIVE 3 - DAY Lactation Workshops are taught by the professional faculty of CAPPA (the Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association).
**2009 SPRING Schedule**
January 16-18th, 2009 in Albany, New York
April 17-19th, 2009 in Buena Vista, Virginia
May 1-3rd, 2009 in Laurel, Maryland
Other areas in the works: Syracuse, NY (July 24-26), Buffalo, NY (August 14-16), Poughkeepsie, NY (Aug), Boston, MA (Sept 11-13), Binghamton, NY (Oct 16-18) , Hartford, CT (Nov 13-15) and Long Island, NY (Dec 11-13).
Take the first step in becoming a CAPPA Certified Lactation Educator OR just increase your knowledge in the area of breastfeeding! Your organization may accept up to 15 CEUs for attending!
Perfect for Labor and Postpartum Doulas, Midwives, Childbirth Educators, Nurses, other Allied Medical Professionals and anyone who wants to help mothers breastfeed.
Workshops are forming right now and we are in need of hosts! If you are interested in bringing a workshop to your area, you could receive free or discounted tuition. Please contact me today!
CAPPA faculty member for New York: Jeannine Jacobs, B.A., CLE 518-588-4343 or jeannine@nourishachild.org
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What You Will Learn:
· Goals/Roles of the Lactation Educator
· Historical Look at Breastfeeding
· Anatomical, Physiological, & Hormonal Aspects of Lactation
· Benefits of Breastfeeding/ Hazards of Formula Feeding
- Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding
· Working with the Hospital
· Maternal/Infant Challenges
· Pumping/Expressing Breastmilk
· Medications and Mother's Milk
· Fathers/Partners and Breastfeeding
· Teaching To Adult Learners
· Marketing Your Practice and more…
Benefits of this program:
· You can teach in a variety of settings, from private classes to hospital
· You will understand the necessity of advocacy, promotion and support of breastfeeding
· You will be able to market and target your audience
· You will begin the process of certification with CAPPA
For complete certification information, see www.cappa.net
For more information about the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, visit: www.babyfriendlyusa.org
To complete registration, please mail application form and $100 to Nourish A Child.org, c/o Jeannine Jacobs, 1142 Waverly Place, Schenectady, NY 12308. Payment must be made in full at least 2 weeks before workshop date or according to arrangements with the trainer. No refunds, though payment can be transferred to another course taught by Jeannine Jacobs within 12 months. Payment can also be made by credit card through www.cappa.net or PayPal. Payment plans and scholarships available. Registration forms can be found under Class Schedules at http://www.nourishachild.org/upcoming_classes
Connect With Emerging Families ~ Support Women-Centered Care
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
About the trainer:
Jeannine Jacobs, B.A., CLE is the owner of Nourish A Child.org in Schenectady, New York. Jeannine has been working with breastfeeding mothers since 2003 as an advocate, educator and peer-counselor.
Her professional interests include education's effect on breastfeeding success and duration, mother-to-mother support and the impact of mainstream marketing practices on breastfeeding. www.nourishachild.org
Updated for 2009, the new 18-Hour Lactation Workshop is now approved by UNICEF and BabyFriendlyUSA and include the 10 Steps for Successful Breastfeeding ...these EXTENSIVE 3 - DAY Lactation Workshops are taught by the professional faculty of CAPPA (the Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association).
**2009 SPRING Schedule**
January 16-18th, 2009 in Albany, New York
April 17-19th, 2009 in Buena Vista, Virginia
May 1-3rd, 2009 in Laurel, Maryland
Other areas in the works: Syracuse, NY (July 24-26), Buffalo, NY (August 14-16), Poughkeepsie, NY (Aug), Boston, MA (Sept 11-13), Binghamton, NY (Oct 16-18) , Hartford, CT (Nov 13-15) and Long Island, NY (Dec 11-13).
Take the first step in becoming a CAPPA Certified Lactation Educator OR just increase your knowledge in the area of breastfeeding! Your organization may accept up to 15 CEUs for attending!
Perfect for Labor and Postpartum Doulas, Midwives, Childbirth Educators, Nurses, other Allied Medical Professionals and anyone who wants to help mothers breastfeed.
Workshops are forming right now and we are in need of hosts! If you are interested in bringing a workshop to your area, you could receive free or discounted tuition. Please contact me today!
CAPPA faculty member for New York: Jeannine Jacobs, B.A., CLE 518-588-4343 or jeannine@nourishachild.org
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What You Will Learn:
· Goals/Roles of the Lactation Educator
· Historical Look at Breastfeeding
· Anatomical, Physiological, & Hormonal Aspects of Lactation
· Benefits of Breastfeeding/ Hazards of Formula Feeding
- Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding
· Working with the Hospital
· Maternal/Infant Challenges
· Pumping/Expressing Breastmilk
· Medications and Mother's Milk
· Fathers/Partners and Breastfeeding
· Teaching To Adult Learners
· Marketing Your Practice and more…
Benefits of this program:
· You can teach in a variety of settings, from private classes to hospital
· You will understand the necessity of advocacy, promotion and support of breastfeeding
· You will be able to market and target your audience
· You will begin the process of certification with CAPPA
For complete certification information, see www.cappa.net
For more information about the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, visit: www.babyfriendlyusa.org
To complete registration, please mail application form and $100 to Nourish A Child.org, c/o Jeannine Jacobs, 1142 Waverly Place, Schenectady, NY 12308. Payment must be made in full at least 2 weeks before workshop date or according to arrangements with the trainer. No refunds, though payment can be transferred to another course taught by Jeannine Jacobs within 12 months. Payment can also be made by credit card through www.cappa.net or PayPal. Payment plans and scholarships available. Registration forms can be found under Class Schedules at http://www.nourishachild.org/upcoming_classes
Connect With Emerging Families ~ Support Women-Centered Care
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
About the trainer:
Jeannine Jacobs, B.A., CLE is the owner of Nourish A Child.org in Schenectady, New York. Jeannine has been working with breastfeeding mothers since 2003 as an advocate, educator and peer-counselor.
Her professional interests include education's effect on breastfeeding success and duration, mother-to-mother support and the impact of mainstream marketing practices on breastfeeding. www.nourishachild.org
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Birth Centers
www.BetterBirthAmerica.com
PLEASE HELP BIRTH CENTERS
November 17, 2008
Please Help U.S. Birth Centers
Birth centers are in jeopardy of closing due to an impending change in Medicaid policy. Birth centers have been recognized by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) as Medicaid providers since 1987. Recently, however CMS has directed its regional offices to stop federal payments to any state for birth center services. Recently, CMS has disallowed such payment by several state Medicaid Agencies, including Alaska, South Carolina, Texas, and Washington State, and other states WILL follow! This action puts pregnant women at risk of losing access to safe, high quality maternity care!
Please Act Now!
Each and every one of you CAN take action to put birth centers on the Congressional radar. AABC's lobbyist Karen Fennell is busy making Congressional visits, but they are saying they have not heard from you--so it must not be important . . .The birth community must take the lead on this--Congress won't take any action for us unless it hears from its constituents.
Right now, Rep. Susan Davis (CA) will sponsor the bill and Rep. Lois Capps (CA) will co-sponsor, but we need many more--including Republicans so it has bi-partisan support.
Call your Representatives and Senators!
To find out who they are use these links:
Find your Senators - http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm Find y our Representatives - http://www.house.gov/ - use the tool in the upper left hand corner
The American College of Nurse-Midwives also has a tool on their website -http://capwiz.com/acnm/dbq/officials/?lvl=C
Tell them you are a midwife, staff person or client, neighbor, or supporter of birth options, of a birth center that cares for Medicaid women, and you want to let them know that birth centers are a needed service, and deserve to receive reimbursement! Other birth centers have already closed due to lack of facility reimbursement.
On the House side, ask Democrats to co-sponsor our bill which would add Birth Centers to Medicaid covered services. (Our bill does not have a number yet). Ask House Republicans to be a sponsor or lead. On the Senate side, we need leads and sponsors in both parties.
Please notify Karen Fennell (karenfennell50@yahoo.com) of your calls. Provide her with the representative's name, the staff person's name, and any questions or information she should be aware of.
This is urgent if we want to sustain birth centers in the United States. Please call today. Remember, this is important to the survival of ALL birth centers we are working for--we need 50 calls this week! Please also pass this on to anyone you know who has had or would like to have a baby in a birth center! Thank you for your support!
=
PLEASE HELP BIRTH CENTERS
November 17, 2008
Please Help U.S. Birth Centers
Birth centers are in jeopardy of closing due to an impending change in Medicaid policy. Birth centers have been recognized by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) as Medicaid providers since 1987. Recently, however CMS has directed its regional offices to stop federal payments to any state for birth center services. Recently, CMS has disallowed such payment by several state Medicaid Agencies, including Alaska, South Carolina, Texas, and Washington State, and other states WILL follow! This action puts pregnant women at risk of losing access to safe, high quality maternity care!
Please Act Now!
Each and every one of you CAN take action to put birth centers on the Congressional radar. AABC's lobbyist Karen Fennell is busy making Congressional visits, but they are saying they have not heard from you--so it must not be important . . .The birth community must take the lead on this--Congress won't take any action for us unless it hears from its constituents.
Right now, Rep. Susan Davis (CA) will sponsor the bill and Rep. Lois Capps (CA) will co-sponsor, but we need many more--including Republicans so it has bi-partisan support.
Call your Representatives and Senators!
To find out who they are use these links:
Find your Senators - http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm Find y our Representatives - http://www.house.gov/ - use the tool in the upper left hand corner
The American College of Nurse-Midwives also has a tool on their website -http://capwiz.com/acnm/dbq/officials/?lvl=C
Tell them you are a midwife, staff person or client, neighbor, or supporter of birth options, of a birth center that cares for Medicaid women, and you want to let them know that birth centers are a needed service, and deserve to receive reimbursement! Other birth centers have already closed due to lack of facility reimbursement.
On the House side, ask Democrats to co-sponsor our bill which would add Birth Centers to Medicaid covered services. (Our bill does not have a number yet). Ask House Republicans to be a sponsor or lead. On the Senate side, we need leads and sponsors in both parties.
Please notify Karen Fennell (karenfennell50@yahoo.com) of your calls. Provide her with the representative's name, the staff person's name, and any questions or information she should be aware of.
This is urgent if we want to sustain birth centers in the United States. Please call today. Remember, this is important to the survival of ALL birth centers we are working for--we need 50 calls this week! Please also pass this on to anyone you know who has had or would like to have a baby in a birth center! Thank you for your support!
=
Friday, November 14, 2008
Some doctors worry about trend to early C-sections
For her first baby, Naomi Laguana tried - with her doctor's encouragement - to give birth naturally. But after hours of anxiety-ridden labor, she ended up in the operating room, undergoing a cesarean section.
So when baby No. 2 came along, six months ago, she decided to short-cut the process and scheduled a C-section at 39 weeks.
"I really did it for pure convenience. I liked having a scheduled date, I liked not having anxiety," the 41-year-old mother said.
Increasingly, American mothers are opting to give birth by cesarean section - commonly known as a C-section - a week or more before their due dates. It is a decades-long trend, but some doctors are beginning to worry it's gone too far.
"I think unfortunately what we are seeing is ... people becoming more and more cavalier of the outcomes," said Dr. Aaron Caughey, an associate professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at UCSF.
The March of Dimes today released a nationwide report card evaluating the states' progress toward reaching a national goal of a preterm birthrate of 7.6 percent. The nation as a whole, with a preterm birthrate of 12.7 percent, rated a D. California scored a C, with a rate of 10.7 percent, and some individual counties - including most of the Bay Area - scored better still.
Higher infant mortalityThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have tracked an increase in preterm births for decades, with the percentage of births delivered before 37 weeks of gestation rising 21 percent between 1990 and 2006. That increase is the main reason the nation's infant mortality rate has stubbornly refused to decline, remaining higher than most other developed nations.
Some preterm births were linked to mothers' smoking, and others to the mothers' lacking insurance. But more than 90 percent of the increase in preterm, nonmultiple births is attributable to an increase in babies being delivered by C-section at 34 to 36 weeks gestation, according to the March of Dimes.
"It comes from a general change in obstetric practice in our society," said Dr. Alan Fleischman, medical director of the March of Dimes Foundation. "The doctors and the women are intervening in a much more aggressive style toward the end of pregnancy."
Fleischman and other medical experts say there are a number of reasons doctors and mothers are choosing C-section delivery - and not all of them stem from medical necessity, the health of the mother or infant.
One reason is legal, said Dr. Mitch Katz, director of the San Francisco Department of Public Health. Some doctors are recommending a C-section at the first hint of problems, seeing early surgical delivery as a safer bet than waiting for natural labor.
"Almost any negative outcome of a baby is cause for malpractice, whether or not the doctor has done everything right," Katz said. "If our medical system punishes physicians for not doing a C-section ... then doctors are going to do more C-sections."
In other cases, doctors and mothers are choosing a C-section for scheduling - to make sure the baby is born while the mother's family is in town to help care for the newborn, or even to avoid conflicting with the doctor's planned Thanksgiving celebration.
"I'm not saying that's pervasive," Fleischman said. "But I am saying that there are times when convenience is part of the decision-making process, and that really shouldn't be."
Cavalier about C-sectionsUnfortunately, Caughey said, some medical professionals have become "cavalier" about C-sections. Many may be unlikely to deliver a baby at 36 weeks, he said, but some may see little problem in delivering at 37 weeks - short of the 39 weeks recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
"Thirty-nine weeks is a really good gestational age to achieve," Caughey said. "At 37 weeks the outcomes were worse than 39 weeks. They both were considered term births, but it's better to be a 39-week baby than a 37-week baby."
About 30 percent of fetal brain growth happens in the last five weeks of pregnancy, Fleischman said, and babies born preterm are more likely to die in the first week or year and may have trouble with breathing or feeding. Studies suggest that babies delivered in late preterm suffer consequences in the form of poor math and English performance, have increased need for special education and - according to one study in Sweden - may earn less later in life.
"Every baby should be born at the right time," he said. "We don't know how many cesarean sections are the right number. But we do know that every induced and cesarean (birth) should be done for the right reason."
The March of Dimes has begun a petition drive pushing for more federal support for prematurity-related research, for expanded access to health care and smoking cessation programs for expectant mothers, and for encouraging hospitals to assess C-sections that occur before 39 weeks.
But one of the main goals of the organization's ongoing campaign, Fleischman said, is to make sure doctors and mothers are having detailed and informed conversations about delivery options well before the baby is born.
"Women are also part of this equation, and we're trying to empower women with information," he said.
Laguana, whose 6-month-old baby is thriving, said she has no regrets about her choice and believes the final decision of how to deliver should remain firmly with mothers. But she said that she would encourage many women to deliver vaginally, and that it is important for mothers to know enough to make the right decisions.
"I feel like moms need to choose what the right route is, but obviously not all moms are well read or well educated, so they look to the medical world for advice," she said. "The most important thing, in my opinion, is the baby comes out happy and healthy."
Online resource For more information: Marchofdimes.com
Copyright 2008 San Francisco Chronicle
So when baby No. 2 came along, six months ago, she decided to short-cut the process and scheduled a C-section at 39 weeks.
"I really did it for pure convenience. I liked having a scheduled date, I liked not having anxiety," the 41-year-old mother said.
Increasingly, American mothers are opting to give birth by cesarean section - commonly known as a C-section - a week or more before their due dates. It is a decades-long trend, but some doctors are beginning to worry it's gone too far.
"I think unfortunately what we are seeing is ... people becoming more and more cavalier of the outcomes," said Dr. Aaron Caughey, an associate professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at UCSF.
The March of Dimes today released a nationwide report card evaluating the states' progress toward reaching a national goal of a preterm birthrate of 7.6 percent. The nation as a whole, with a preterm birthrate of 12.7 percent, rated a D. California scored a C, with a rate of 10.7 percent, and some individual counties - including most of the Bay Area - scored better still.
Higher infant mortalityThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have tracked an increase in preterm births for decades, with the percentage of births delivered before 37 weeks of gestation rising 21 percent between 1990 and 2006. That increase is the main reason the nation's infant mortality rate has stubbornly refused to decline, remaining higher than most other developed nations.
Some preterm births were linked to mothers' smoking, and others to the mothers' lacking insurance. But more than 90 percent of the increase in preterm, nonmultiple births is attributable to an increase in babies being delivered by C-section at 34 to 36 weeks gestation, according to the March of Dimes.
"It comes from a general change in obstetric practice in our society," said Dr. Alan Fleischman, medical director of the March of Dimes Foundation. "The doctors and the women are intervening in a much more aggressive style toward the end of pregnancy."
Fleischman and other medical experts say there are a number of reasons doctors and mothers are choosing C-section delivery - and not all of them stem from medical necessity, the health of the mother or infant.
One reason is legal, said Dr. Mitch Katz, director of the San Francisco Department of Public Health. Some doctors are recommending a C-section at the first hint of problems, seeing early surgical delivery as a safer bet than waiting for natural labor.
"Almost any negative outcome of a baby is cause for malpractice, whether or not the doctor has done everything right," Katz said. "If our medical system punishes physicians for not doing a C-section ... then doctors are going to do more C-sections."
In other cases, doctors and mothers are choosing a C-section for scheduling - to make sure the baby is born while the mother's family is in town to help care for the newborn, or even to avoid conflicting with the doctor's planned Thanksgiving celebration.
"I'm not saying that's pervasive," Fleischman said. "But I am saying that there are times when convenience is part of the decision-making process, and that really shouldn't be."
Cavalier about C-sectionsUnfortunately, Caughey said, some medical professionals have become "cavalier" about C-sections. Many may be unlikely to deliver a baby at 36 weeks, he said, but some may see little problem in delivering at 37 weeks - short of the 39 weeks recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
"Thirty-nine weeks is a really good gestational age to achieve," Caughey said. "At 37 weeks the outcomes were worse than 39 weeks. They both were considered term births, but it's better to be a 39-week baby than a 37-week baby."
About 30 percent of fetal brain growth happens in the last five weeks of pregnancy, Fleischman said, and babies born preterm are more likely to die in the first week or year and may have trouble with breathing or feeding. Studies suggest that babies delivered in late preterm suffer consequences in the form of poor math and English performance, have increased need for special education and - according to one study in Sweden - may earn less later in life.
"Every baby should be born at the right time," he said. "We don't know how many cesarean sections are the right number. But we do know that every induced and cesarean (birth) should be done for the right reason."
The March of Dimes has begun a petition drive pushing for more federal support for prematurity-related research, for expanded access to health care and smoking cessation programs for expectant mothers, and for encouraging hospitals to assess C-sections that occur before 39 weeks.
But one of the main goals of the organization's ongoing campaign, Fleischman said, is to make sure doctors and mothers are having detailed and informed conversations about delivery options well before the baby is born.
"Women are also part of this equation, and we're trying to empower women with information," he said.
Laguana, whose 6-month-old baby is thriving, said she has no regrets about her choice and believes the final decision of how to deliver should remain firmly with mothers. But she said that she would encourage many women to deliver vaginally, and that it is important for mothers to know enough to make the right decisions.
"I feel like moms need to choose what the right route is, but obviously not all moms are well read or well educated, so they look to the medical world for advice," she said. "The most important thing, in my opinion, is the baby comes out happy and healthy."
Online resource For more information: Marchofdimes.com
Copyright 2008 San Francisco Chronicle
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
CAPPA Approved Labor and Postpartum Doula Combo Training!
JUST A FEW SPACES LEFT! LAST WEEK TO REGISTER!
Come to a CAPPA Labor Doula/Postpartum Doula Combination Training in Augusta, Maine November 13-15, 2008.
This CAPPA Combination training is taught by CAPPA’s Director of Doula Programs, Val Staples, CPD CLD CCCE.
The CAPPA Combination Doula Training is an intensive three-day workshop with topics such as:
- What is a Doula?
- The CAPPA Difference
- Comfort Measures for Labor
- Massage Techniques for Labor
- Emotional Support in Labor
- Hospital Birth Procedures
- Communication with Medical Staff
- Dealing with Difficult Labors
- Cesareans and VBAC
- Setting up your Doula Business
- Breastfeeding Tips
- Baby Care and Advice
- Household Help
- Sibling Care
- Meal Preparation
AND MUCH MORE!
Where: Augusta, Maine
When: November 13-15, 2008
Trainer: Val Staples, CPD CLD CCCE
Contact: 706.662.3196
doulaval@bellsouth.net
You may register for the complete combination training, or take the labor or postpartum section individually. See pricing below.
Registration is OPEN! Space is LIMITED!
Register online at http://www.cappa.net/trainings/trainings.asp?tid=179 – Combo Training
http://www.cappa.net/trainings/trainings.asp?tid=216 – Labor Doula
http://www.cappa.net/trainings/trainings.asp?tid=183 – Postpartum Doula
Pricing: $575.00 – Combo
$350.00 – Labor or Postpartum Doula
JUST A FEW SPACES LEFT! LAST WEEK TO REGISTER!
Come to a CAPPA Labor Doula/Postpartum Doula Combination Training in Augusta, Maine November 13-15, 2008.
This CAPPA Combination training is taught by CAPPA’s Director of Doula Programs, Val Staples, CPD CLD CCCE.
The CAPPA Combination Doula Training is an intensive three-day workshop with topics such as:
- What is a Doula?
- The CAPPA Difference
- Comfort Measures for Labor
- Massage Techniques for Labor
- Emotional Support in Labor
- Hospital Birth Procedures
- Communication with Medical Staff
- Dealing with Difficult Labors
- Cesareans and VBAC
- Setting up your Doula Business
- Breastfeeding Tips
- Baby Care and Advice
- Household Help
- Sibling Care
- Meal Preparation
AND MUCH MORE!
Where: Augusta, Maine
When: November 13-15, 2008
Trainer: Val Staples, CPD CLD CCCE
Contact: 706.662.3196
doulaval@bellsouth.net
You may register for the complete combination training, or take the labor or postpartum section individually. See pricing below.
Registration is OPEN! Space is LIMITED!
Register online at http://www.cappa.net/trainings/trainings.asp?tid=179 – Combo Training
http://www.cappa.net/trainings/trainings.asp?tid=216 – Labor Doula
http://www.cappa.net/trainings/trainings.asp?tid=183 – Postpartum Doula
Pricing: $575.00 – Combo
$350.00 – Labor or Postpartum Doula
Friday, October 24, 2008
Michelle’s Vegan Cupcakes and Icing
Dry ingredients
2 cups plain white flour
¼ tsp salt
1 tbsp baking powder
2 tbsp sugar
Wet
1 &1/3 cups of water
¼ cup of vegetable oil
¾ cup of applesauce
½ tsp of vanilla
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 F. Sift flour. Mix dry ingredients. Add wet ingredients and whisk until moist. Oil muffin pan or use paper cupcake cups. Bake 16-18 minutes.
Yields 18 cupcakes.
Icing
3 cups confectioner sugar (sifted)
1 tbsp of coco powder (or more for heavier chocolate taste, and darker icing color).
1 to 2 tsp vanilla (depending on your sweet tooth)
About 2 tbsp warm water.
Directions
Sift confectioner sugar into mixing bowl, ad coco powder. Mix sugar and coco powder. Add vanilla (little at a time), add warm water (little at a time).
Notes:
o Depending on how dark you want the icing to look and taste you should add more or less coco powder.
o Let icing cool in refrigerator before icing cupcakes.
o This recipe can also be used for a cake.
o Alternatively, you can use orange, lemon, or cherry toping. Just omit coco powder and add lemon or orange juice and the rinds from the fruit. If using cherries crush them and remove pits.
2 cups plain white flour
¼ tsp salt
1 tbsp baking powder
2 tbsp sugar
Wet
1 &1/3 cups of water
¼ cup of vegetable oil
¾ cup of applesauce
½ tsp of vanilla
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 F. Sift flour. Mix dry ingredients. Add wet ingredients and whisk until moist. Oil muffin pan or use paper cupcake cups. Bake 16-18 minutes.
Yields 18 cupcakes.
Icing
3 cups confectioner sugar (sifted)
1 tbsp of coco powder (or more for heavier chocolate taste, and darker icing color).
1 to 2 tsp vanilla (depending on your sweet tooth)
About 2 tbsp warm water.
Directions
Sift confectioner sugar into mixing bowl, ad coco powder. Mix sugar and coco powder. Add vanilla (little at a time), add warm water (little at a time).
Notes:
o Depending on how dark you want the icing to look and taste you should add more or less coco powder.
o Let icing cool in refrigerator before icing cupcakes.
o This recipe can also be used for a cake.
o Alternatively, you can use orange, lemon, or cherry toping. Just omit coco powder and add lemon or orange juice and the rinds from the fruit. If using cherries crush them and remove pits.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
The GoPillow!
by Simply Necessary, Inc.
The GoPillow! is a multipurpose child care item.
www.simplynecessary.com
The GoPillow! by Simply Necessary, Incorporated is a must have for breastfeeding mothers. However, its uses are so vast that any caregiver will fall in love with it. It can be used from birth well into the toddler years. Uses include but are not limited to:
Breast feeding pillow with built-in privacy cover-up
Pillow and body wrap for babies
Portable toddler pillow and blanket
Portable diaper changing surface
Shoulder pillow for carrying babies and toddlers
Arm cushion for carrying babies and toddlers
Extra hand during diaper changes etc.
Arm warmer during cold weather (especially during outdoor activities)
Current Color Selection:
Plush Baby Pink
Plush Baby Blue
Dark Blue Denim
Light Blue Denim
(More Color Options Available)
Tangela Walker-Craft, President
Simply Necessary, Incorporated
www.simplynecessary.com
The GoPillow! is a multipurpose child care item.
www.simplynecessary.com
The GoPillow! by Simply Necessary, Incorporated is a must have for breastfeeding mothers. However, its uses are so vast that any caregiver will fall in love with it. It can be used from birth well into the toddler years. Uses include but are not limited to:
Breast feeding pillow with built-in privacy cover-up
Pillow and body wrap for babies
Portable toddler pillow and blanket
Portable diaper changing surface
Shoulder pillow for carrying babies and toddlers
Arm cushion for carrying babies and toddlers
Extra hand during diaper changes etc.
Arm warmer during cold weather (especially during outdoor activities)
Current Color Selection:
Plush Baby Pink
Plush Baby Blue
Dark Blue Denim
Light Blue Denim
(More Color Options Available)
Tangela Walker-Craft, President
Simply Necessary, Incorporated
www.simplynecessary.com
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
8 Essential Skills They Didn't Teach You In School
What are the top skills that should be taught to every man, woman, and child who enters our education system? Here are a few that aren’t taught at all:
1. How to Make People Like You and Network
For a skill that affects every area of your life (from dating, to family, to work), it’s amazing how little people know about this. There is great power in knowing you can reach out to your network whenever you have a problem to solve, to be able to reach key influencers at conferences and meetings, to make an impression on audiences, to project confidence and trustworthiness, and to make friends with other successful people.
Required reading: How to Win Friends and Influence People and How to Talk to Anyone: 92 Little Tricks for Big Success in Relationships.
2. How to Speed Read and the Power of Audio Books
Speed reading and speed comprehension is real. The nominal investment of time it takes to learn pays off in spades for the rest of your life. The same goes with audio books. If you spend an hour per day in the car learning instead of cursing at other drivers, you will have attended the equivalent of an entire semester course.
Required reading: The Psychology of Achievement by Brian Tracey
3. How to Set Goals and Manage Time
Want to know how to get anything done in life? Our school system doesn’t feel that this is worth teaching. If you have ever found yourself being busy all day only to wonder what you accomplished at the end of it, then you need to learn this.
Required reading: Getting Things Done, Eat That Frog, No B.S. Time Management For Entrepreneurs
4. How to Read a Financial Statement
Robert Kiyosaki is fond of saying that the rich teach their children how to read financial statements and the poor do not. Schools have never been very good at teaching people how to get rich, probably in no small part because professors are generally poor and wouldn’t know how to teach it.
Required reading: Cash Flow Quadrant, or this blog article
5. How to Negotiate and Use Contracts
If you want to accomplish anything of significance you’re going to have to work with other people. There is a certain art to structuring good contracts and measuring results. School teaches you none of this and most people have to learn it from the school of hard knocks.
Required reading: Donald Trump’s The Art Of The Deal
6. How to Save and Invest
People are never taught how to build wealth, which is why the nation is in credit card debt. Moreover, people are never taught the power of passive income streams and how to really break free from the rat race of working 9-to-5. There is a whole body of literature on this topic which is never even touched upon in traditional education.
Required reading: The Richest Man In Babylon, The Millionaire Next Door, or Ben Franklin’s The Way To Wealth
7. How to be Successful in Life
Some people have devoted a lifetime to understanding what makes people happy and successful. There are the big three: health, wealth, and relationships. People need to find what they really want to do with their life. There is a lot to learn here!
Required reading: What To Say When You Talk To Yourself, When I Say No I Feel Guilty, Think and Grow Rich, The Way Of The Superior Man
8. How to Spread an Idea and Basic Marketing
The basics of marketing are something everyone should understand. Even if you don’t think you’re in marketing, you’re in marketing. If you have an idea at work, or want to get a raise, or want to convince your kids to go see a movie, then there is something applicable from the marketing world.
Required reading: Dan Kennedy’s The Ultimate Sales Letter, CopyBlogger, The Psychology of Influence
Sources:
Lifehack.org August 15, 2008
1. How to Make People Like You and Network
For a skill that affects every area of your life (from dating, to family, to work), it’s amazing how little people know about this. There is great power in knowing you can reach out to your network whenever you have a problem to solve, to be able to reach key influencers at conferences and meetings, to make an impression on audiences, to project confidence and trustworthiness, and to make friends with other successful people.
Required reading: How to Win Friends and Influence People and How to Talk to Anyone: 92 Little Tricks for Big Success in Relationships.
2. How to Speed Read and the Power of Audio Books
Speed reading and speed comprehension is real. The nominal investment of time it takes to learn pays off in spades for the rest of your life. The same goes with audio books. If you spend an hour per day in the car learning instead of cursing at other drivers, you will have attended the equivalent of an entire semester course.
Required reading: The Psychology of Achievement by Brian Tracey
3. How to Set Goals and Manage Time
Want to know how to get anything done in life? Our school system doesn’t feel that this is worth teaching. If you have ever found yourself being busy all day only to wonder what you accomplished at the end of it, then you need to learn this.
Required reading: Getting Things Done, Eat That Frog, No B.S. Time Management For Entrepreneurs
4. How to Read a Financial Statement
Robert Kiyosaki is fond of saying that the rich teach their children how to read financial statements and the poor do not. Schools have never been very good at teaching people how to get rich, probably in no small part because professors are generally poor and wouldn’t know how to teach it.
Required reading: Cash Flow Quadrant, or this blog article
5. How to Negotiate and Use Contracts
If you want to accomplish anything of significance you’re going to have to work with other people. There is a certain art to structuring good contracts and measuring results. School teaches you none of this and most people have to learn it from the school of hard knocks.
Required reading: Donald Trump’s The Art Of The Deal
6. How to Save and Invest
People are never taught how to build wealth, which is why the nation is in credit card debt. Moreover, people are never taught the power of passive income streams and how to really break free from the rat race of working 9-to-5. There is a whole body of literature on this topic which is never even touched upon in traditional education.
Required reading: The Richest Man In Babylon, The Millionaire Next Door, or Ben Franklin’s The Way To Wealth
7. How to be Successful in Life
Some people have devoted a lifetime to understanding what makes people happy and successful. There are the big three: health, wealth, and relationships. People need to find what they really want to do with their life. There is a lot to learn here!
Required reading: What To Say When You Talk To Yourself, When I Say No I Feel Guilty, Think and Grow Rich, The Way Of The Superior Man
8. How to Spread an Idea and Basic Marketing
The basics of marketing are something everyone should understand. Even if you don’t think you’re in marketing, you’re in marketing. If you have an idea at work, or want to get a raise, or want to convince your kids to go see a movie, then there is something applicable from the marketing world.
Required reading: Dan Kennedy’s The Ultimate Sales Letter, CopyBlogger, The Psychology of Influence
Sources:
Lifehack.org August 15, 2008
CAPPA Certified Childbirth Educator Training Workshop
Event: CAPPA Childbirth Educator Training
Dates: November 15 and 16, 2008
Where: Bedford, MA 01730
Trainer: Julie Brill, CCCE
This workshop equals 16 contact hours of continuing education.
Registration: www.wellpregnancy.com or call 781-275-6564
Space is limited!
*Why wait--get certified!*
- Teach parents proven pain-coping practices
- Learn to meet the needs of various types of learners
- Demonstrate simple ways to improve prenatal nutrition
- Describe the fundamentals of labor and birth
- Identify ways to prepare birth partners
- Use the risk/benefit model to teach interventions and pain meds
- Prepare Parents for Postpartum and Possible Unexpected Outcomes
- Market your services
About CAPPA
CAPPA is a non-profit international organization that was founded in
1998 to offer the highest level of professional membership and training
to childbirth educators, lactation educators, labor doulas, antepartum
doulas and postpartum doulas. CAPPA offers the highest level of
evidence-based training available and is the fastest growing childbirth
education and doula organization in the world. Membership entitles you
to many benefits including free conferences. It is the most
comprehensive pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum organization
available, caring for women before, during, and after birth through
education and support. CAPPA offers accelerated childbirth educator
certification programs.
Dates: November 15 and 16, 2008
Where: Bedford, MA 01730
Trainer: Julie Brill, CCCE
This workshop equals 16 contact hours of continuing education.
Registration: www.wellpregnancy.com or call 781-275-6564
Space is limited!
*Why wait--get certified!*
- Teach parents proven pain-coping practices
- Learn to meet the needs of various types of learners
- Demonstrate simple ways to improve prenatal nutrition
- Describe the fundamentals of labor and birth
- Identify ways to prepare birth partners
- Use the risk/benefit model to teach interventions and pain meds
- Prepare Parents for Postpartum and Possible Unexpected Outcomes
- Market your services
About CAPPA
CAPPA is a non-profit international organization that was founded in
1998 to offer the highest level of professional membership and training
to childbirth educators, lactation educators, labor doulas, antepartum
doulas and postpartum doulas. CAPPA offers the highest level of
evidence-based training available and is the fastest growing childbirth
education and doula organization in the world. Membership entitles you
to many benefits including free conferences. It is the most
comprehensive pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum organization
available, caring for women before, during, and after birth through
education and support. CAPPA offers accelerated childbirth educator
certification programs.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Historic Birth Summit
Historic Birth Summit To Be Held In Chicago
To make informed decisions, expectant parents need evidence-based information. November 8, a historic group of birth professionals will meet to counter recent non-research based proclamations.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRLog (Press Release) – Oct 14, 2008 – Nurses, physicians, midwives, childbirth educators, doulas and lactation consultants will be meeting November 8 at the O'Hare Hilton in Chicago, the home town of the American Medical Association.
This historical summit, called in response to the ACOG/AMA joint proclamation (resolution 205 A-08), will set the evidence-based record straight regarding midwifery care and childbirth in hospital settings in the US. According to the proclamation that sited no research or medical evidence studies, the ACOG/AMA stated that in their opinion our American Medical Association supports the recent American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) statement that "the safest setting for labor, delivery, and the immediate post-partum period is in the hospital, or a birthing center within a hospital complex, that meets standards jointly outlined by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and ACOG, or in a freestanding birthing center that meets the standards of the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, The Joint Commission, or the American Association of Birth Centers".
Representatives from the American College of Nurse Midwives, Lamaze International, the International Childbirth Education Association, the Midwives Alliance of North America, Waterbirth International and others will be in attendance.
"The proclamation ignores the myriad of evidence that consistently shows that homebirth is safe for low-risk women," states Summit coordinator Connie Livingston. "Likewise, it ignores fact that there is no evidence showing that hospital-based births have better outcomes for low risk mothers. The United States ranks pitifully low on the list of countries as far as neonatal mortality/morbidity and ranks 41st in maternal deaths among all nations on the planet. The impact of birth interventions is directly related to the unbelievable lack of breastfeeding in our society as well."
Since the proclamation in the summer, physicians and other practitioners have been asking for the reasoning behind the AMA/ACOG proclamation. So far, none has been given.
A joint evidence-based announcement will be made pointing out the dangerous and inaccurate nature of the AMA/ACOG proclamation and the impact that such a proclamation, if enacted, would have on an expectant mother's right to choose her caregiver and place to give birth to her baby.
# # #
About Perinatal Education Associates, Inc.: Consumer and professional advocacy for childbirth and womens health. The website is www.birthsource.com plus www.thebirthfacts.com
To make informed decisions, expectant parents need evidence-based information. November 8, a historic group of birth professionals will meet to counter recent non-research based proclamations.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRLog (Press Release) – Oct 14, 2008 – Nurses, physicians, midwives, childbirth educators, doulas and lactation consultants will be meeting November 8 at the O'Hare Hilton in Chicago, the home town of the American Medical Association.
This historical summit, called in response to the ACOG/AMA joint proclamation (resolution 205 A-08), will set the evidence-based record straight regarding midwifery care and childbirth in hospital settings in the US. According to the proclamation that sited no research or medical evidence studies, the ACOG/AMA stated that in their opinion our American Medical Association supports the recent American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) statement that "the safest setting for labor, delivery, and the immediate post-partum period is in the hospital, or a birthing center within a hospital complex, that meets standards jointly outlined by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and ACOG, or in a freestanding birthing center that meets the standards of the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, The Joint Commission, or the American Association of Birth Centers".
Representatives from the American College of Nurse Midwives, Lamaze International, the International Childbirth Education Association, the Midwives Alliance of North America, Waterbirth International and others will be in attendance.
"The proclamation ignores the myriad of evidence that consistently shows that homebirth is safe for low-risk women," states Summit coordinator Connie Livingston. "Likewise, it ignores fact that there is no evidence showing that hospital-based births have better outcomes for low risk mothers. The United States ranks pitifully low on the list of countries as far as neonatal mortality/morbidity and ranks 41st in maternal deaths among all nations on the planet. The impact of birth interventions is directly related to the unbelievable lack of breastfeeding in our society as well."
Since the proclamation in the summer, physicians and other practitioners have been asking for the reasoning behind the AMA/ACOG proclamation. So far, none has been given.
A joint evidence-based announcement will be made pointing out the dangerous and inaccurate nature of the AMA/ACOG proclamation and the impact that such a proclamation, if enacted, would have on an expectant mother's right to choose her caregiver and place to give birth to her baby.
# # #
About Perinatal Education Associates, Inc.: Consumer and professional advocacy for childbirth and womens health. The website is www.birthsource.com plus www.thebirthfacts.com
Thursday, October 16, 2008
CAPPA Childbirth Educator Training and Certification
Why CAPPA Childbirth Educator Certification?
CAPPA is an international non-profit training organization that offers the highest level of evidence-based training available. We are the fastest growing childbirth education and doula organization in the world. We are the only organization that certifies childbirth educators, lactation educators, labor doulas, antepartum doulas, and postpartum doulas. CAPPA is the most comprehensive pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum organization available, caring for women before, during, and after birth through education and support. CAPPA offers accelerated childbirth educator certification programs. CAPPA membership confers many benefits including free national conferences and online member directory.
Why Certify
CAPPA Certification lends to your professional credibility. Many couples look for certified childbirth educators. They feel more confident knowing you have taken that extra step to insure accuracy in the information you provide in your classes. Certification means up-to-date information, proper use of birth tools such as birth balls, massage tools, hydrotherapy, and labor and birth positions, and breathing techniques. It also shows you have learned about and understand the needs of expectant couples, and can redirect to community professionals as necessary.
Benefits of CAPPA Childbirth Educator Certification
o Formal well rounded education
o Support from CAPPA Faculty throughout training process
o College/University recognized certification program
o Continuing education units
o Free annual childbirth professional conference
o CAPPA Info Group for professional networking
o CAPPA MySpace for CAPPA members
o CAPPA Quarterly
o Online directory
o Referrals
Some advantages of being a Childbirth Educator?
Childbirth educators have the opportunity to reach families when they are open to new ideas and to help them achieve positive birth experiences. Educators usually work part time and can often tailor their schedules around their other activities and the needs of their families.
CAPPA's Mission
CAPPA's mission is to offer comprehensive, evidence-based education, certification, professional membership and training to childbirth educators, lactation educators, labor doulas, antepartum doulas and postpartum doulas. CAPPA certified professionals aim to empower, connect and advocate for families in the childbearing year. CAPPA seeks to forge positive and productive relationships between organizations that support healthy, informed family choices. The organization consists of a leadership board, regional representatives, trainers, mentors, advisors and its membership. CAPPA is the most comprehensive pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum organization available. To learn more about CAPPA's history, please click here: CAPPA.
CAPPA is an international non-profit training organization that offers the highest level of evidence-based training available. We are the fastest growing childbirth education and doula organization in the world. We are the only organization that certifies childbirth educators, lactation educators, labor doulas, antepartum doulas, and postpartum doulas. CAPPA is the most comprehensive pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum organization available, caring for women before, during, and after birth through education and support. CAPPA offers accelerated childbirth educator certification programs. CAPPA membership confers many benefits including free national conferences and online member directory.
Why Certify
CAPPA Certification lends to your professional credibility. Many couples look for certified childbirth educators. They feel more confident knowing you have taken that extra step to insure accuracy in the information you provide in your classes. Certification means up-to-date information, proper use of birth tools such as birth balls, massage tools, hydrotherapy, and labor and birth positions, and breathing techniques. It also shows you have learned about and understand the needs of expectant couples, and can redirect to community professionals as necessary.
Benefits of CAPPA Childbirth Educator Certification
o Formal well rounded education
o Support from CAPPA Faculty throughout training process
o College/University recognized certification program
o Continuing education units
o Free annual childbirth professional conference
o CAPPA Info Group for professional networking
o CAPPA MySpace for CAPPA members
o CAPPA Quarterly
o Online directory
o Referrals
Some advantages of being a Childbirth Educator?
Childbirth educators have the opportunity to reach families when they are open to new ideas and to help them achieve positive birth experiences. Educators usually work part time and can often tailor their schedules around their other activities and the needs of their families.
CAPPA's Mission
CAPPA's mission is to offer comprehensive, evidence-based education, certification, professional membership and training to childbirth educators, lactation educators, labor doulas, antepartum doulas and postpartum doulas. CAPPA certified professionals aim to empower, connect and advocate for families in the childbearing year. CAPPA seeks to forge positive and productive relationships between organizations that support healthy, informed family choices. The organization consists of a leadership board, regional representatives, trainers, mentors, advisors and its membership. CAPPA is the most comprehensive pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum organization available. To learn more about CAPPA's history, please click here: CAPPA.
Who Does She Think She Is?
Who Does She Think She Is? is a film by Pam Boll. It is a story about women artists who split their time between raising a family and pursuing their passion for art. It really makes you think!
The film opens at the Angelica Film Center on October 17, 2008 and will run through Sunday. If there is enough attendance, it will go through the 26th. It is really worth a look!
This is a second film for Pam Boll. Pam won an Academy Award for her first film "Born into Brothels".
www.whodoesshethinksheis.net
The film opens at the Angelica Film Center on October 17, 2008 and will run through Sunday. If there is enough attendance, it will go through the 26th. It is really worth a look!
This is a second film for Pam Boll. Pam won an Academy Award for her first film "Born into Brothels".
www.whodoesshethinksheis.net
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Meet the Doulas (childbirth assistants)
Saturday, October 25, 2008, 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Inner Light Holistic Center, Route 100 and Grosser Road, Gilbertsville
Come meet the doulas! Open House for expectant mothers to learn about childbirth options. Before, During & After, A Complete Doula Service will be having a mini-birth festival with educational materials, free giveaways and a raffle. Call 610-529-3249 for more details!
Inner Light Holistic Center, Route 100 and Grosser Road, Gilbertsville
Come meet the doulas! Open House for expectant mothers to learn about childbirth options. Before, During & After, A Complete Doula Service will be having a mini-birth festival with educational materials, free giveaways and a raffle. Call 610-529-3249 for more details!
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Labor Doula Training Workshop
Only a few spaces left!
Attend the CAPPA Labor Doula Training in Boulder, Colorado
You will learn:
- Labor Support for unmedicated and medicated mothers
- Understanding interventions and hospital procedures
- Prenatals and Postpartums
- Effective advocacy and communication skills
- Getting started as a new doula and marketing your doula business
- Much, much more!
Space is very limited!
Dates: November 14th & 15th, 2008
Times: Friday & Saturday, 8:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Location: Boulder, Colorado
Payment plans & partial scholarships are available.
For more information or registration, visit www.rockymountaindoula.com.
Questions? Contact the trainer at rockymountaindoula at comcast dot net.
Ana M. Hill, CLD, CLE, CCCE
CAPPA Faculty Member- www.cappa.net
Labor Doula Trainer
www.rockymountaindoula.com
###
Join me for the FREE CAPPA Childbirth Conference and Convention!
June 11-14th 2009. Scottsdale AZ.
www.cappa.net
Attend the CAPPA Labor Doula Training in Boulder, Colorado
You will learn:
- Labor Support for unmedicated and medicated mothers
- Understanding interventions and hospital procedures
- Prenatals and Postpartums
- Effective advocacy and communication skills
- Getting started as a new doula and marketing your doula business
- Much, much more!
Space is very limited!
Dates: November 14th & 15th, 2008
Times: Friday & Saturday, 8:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Location: Boulder, Colorado
Payment plans & partial scholarships are available.
For more information or registration, visit www.rockymountaindoula.com.
Questions? Contact the trainer at rockymountaindoula at comcast dot net.
Ana M. Hill, CLD, CLE, CCCE
CAPPA Faculty Member- www.cappa.net
Labor Doula Trainer
www.rockymountaindoula.com
###
Join me for the FREE CAPPA Childbirth Conference and Convention!
June 11-14th 2009. Scottsdale AZ.
www.cappa.net
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Baby Names
I have been contacted by expectant parents looking for uncommon baby names. The following are names for boys and girls that I have compiled from an array of places. I have included origin, meaning, and alternative spellings when available.
BOYS
Adin: Hebrew. Meaning: beautiful, pleasant, gentle.
Adric, Adrik: Russian. Meaning: dark; a form of Adrian.
Alaric, Alarik: Old German. Meaning: noble ruler. A common nickname is Aric (pronounced like Erik).
Alon: Hebrew. Meaning: Oak Tree.
Anshul: Indian. Meaning: radiant.
Arnav: Indian. Meaning: ocean; sea.
Arvind: Indian. Meaning: Lotus.
Aseem, Asim: Indian. Meaning: boundless; limitless.
Cameron: Scottish. Meaning: crooked nose.
Colby: English. Meaning: coal town.
Dougal: Scottish. Meaning: dark stranger.
Duncan: Scottish. Meaning brown warrior.
Etan, Eytan: Hebrew. Meaning: strong.
Evgenii, Evgeny: Russian. Meaning: born of nobility; a form of Eugene.
Felicks, Felix, Phelix, or Pitin: Latin. Meaning: fortunate; happy.
Gareth: Welsh. Meaning: gentle; an old man.
Garon: Hebrew. Meaning: a threshing floor.
Gavin: Welch. Meaning: little hawk.
Hamish: Scottish. A form of Jacob and/or James.
Hillel: Hebrew: Meaning praised.
Holden: Old English. Meaning: deep valley.
Kaniel: Hebrew. Meaning: a reed or stalk.
Lachlan: Scottish. Meaning: land of the lakes.
Maddock: Old Welsh. Meaning: champion; good fortune.
Saadiah, Saadia, Saadya: Aramaic. Meaning: God's help.
Simcha: Hebrew. Meaning: joy; also a girl's name.
Tearlach: Scottish. Meaning: farmer; a form of Charles.
Venka: Indian.
Yiska: Native Ame (Navejo). Meaning: the night has passed.
Zalman: Yiddish Meaning: peace.
Zavdi, Zavdiel: Hebrew. Meaning: my gift; gift of God.
Zerach: Hebrew. Meaning: light rising.
Zushye, Zusya: Yiddish. Meaning: sweet.
GIRLS
Abigail, Avigail: Hebrew. Meaning: father's joy.
Adra: Aramaic. Meaning: glory; majesty.
Amalia: Hebrew. Meaning: the work of the Lord.
Anechka: Russian. Meaning: grace.
Ansley, Ainsley: Scottish. Meaning: my own meadow.
Aravinda, Adavinda: Indian.
Batya, Batyah, Basia, Basha: Meaning: daughter of God.
Breasha, Briana, Breana: Irish; Scottish. Meaning: strong; virtuous; honorable; feminine of Brian.
Ceridwyn: Welsh. Meaning: fair poetry.
*Chrisentia, Chrisensia
Dalia: Hebrew. Meaning: branch.
Dasha: Russian.
Davina, Davida: Scottish; Hebrew.
Dayita: Indian. Meaning: beloved.
Dhara: Indian. Meaning: costant flow.
Eliana: Hebrew. Meaning: God has answered.
Hadass, Hadassah: Hebrew. Meaning Myrtle Tree.
Havilah: Hebrew. Mainly a male name, however there are more females now with the name too.)
Jaya: Indian. Meaning: victory.
Kiran: Indian. Meaning: ray of light.
Kyla: Irish. Meaning: princess; attractive.
Kyler: (Also a male name.)
Lakshmi: Indian. Meaning: born from the Lotus.
Laurel: Latin. Meaning: the bay; Laurel plant.
Maisri: Scottish
Marni, Marnina: Hebrew. Meaning: rejoice.
Michal: Hebrew. Meaning: who is like God; contraction of Michaela.
**Mirine, Myrrhine (the latter is the traditional spelling): French. (meh’ reh nee, accent on first syllable.)
Pari: Indian. Meaning: beauty; fair.
Peri: Hebrew. Meaning: fruit.
Raisa, Raizel: Yiddish. Meaning: rose.
Ramani: Indian. Meaning: beautiful girl.
Rayna, Reyna: Yiddish. Meaning: clean.
Seirian: Welsh. Meaning: sparkling.
Sima: Aramiac. Meaning: gift.
Simcha: Hebrew. Meaning: joy; also a boys name.
Tegan: Welsh. Meaning: of doe-like beauty.
Teja, Teju: Indian. Meaning: radiant.
Tova: Hebrew. Meaning: good one.
Varsha: Indian. Meaning: rain.
Zipporah, Tzipporah, Tzipora: Hebrew. Meaning: little bird.
*I do not know the origin. The name belonged to my 6x great grandfather's second wife. They came from Germany.
**Thank you Mirine for the information: "Mirine (meh’ reh nee, accent on first syllable.) Original origin, French (Europeans never have trouble pronouncing right off the bat…) … can also be found with the traditional spelling Myrrhine, which is also a character in the Greek play, Lysistrata, which my dad was directly around the time of my impending arrival. Also found in Croatia, there is actually a Mirine beach, with my spelling."
BOYS
Adin: Hebrew. Meaning: beautiful, pleasant, gentle.
Adric, Adrik: Russian. Meaning: dark; a form of Adrian.
Alaric, Alarik: Old German. Meaning: noble ruler. A common nickname is Aric (pronounced like Erik).
Alon: Hebrew. Meaning: Oak Tree.
Anshul: Indian. Meaning: radiant.
Arnav: Indian. Meaning: ocean; sea.
Arvind: Indian. Meaning: Lotus.
Aseem, Asim: Indian. Meaning: boundless; limitless.
Cameron: Scottish. Meaning: crooked nose.
Colby: English. Meaning: coal town.
Dougal: Scottish. Meaning: dark stranger.
Duncan: Scottish. Meaning brown warrior.
Etan, Eytan: Hebrew. Meaning: strong.
Evgenii, Evgeny: Russian. Meaning: born of nobility; a form of Eugene.
Felicks, Felix, Phelix, or Pitin: Latin. Meaning: fortunate; happy.
Gareth: Welsh. Meaning: gentle; an old man.
Garon: Hebrew. Meaning: a threshing floor.
Gavin: Welch. Meaning: little hawk.
Hamish: Scottish. A form of Jacob and/or James.
Hillel: Hebrew: Meaning praised.
Holden: Old English. Meaning: deep valley.
Kaniel: Hebrew. Meaning: a reed or stalk.
Lachlan: Scottish. Meaning: land of the lakes.
Maddock: Old Welsh. Meaning: champion; good fortune.
Saadiah, Saadia, Saadya: Aramaic. Meaning: God's help.
Simcha: Hebrew. Meaning: joy; also a girl's name.
Tearlach: Scottish. Meaning: farmer; a form of Charles.
Venka: Indian.
Yiska: Native Ame (Navejo). Meaning: the night has passed.
Zalman: Yiddish Meaning: peace.
Zavdi, Zavdiel: Hebrew. Meaning: my gift; gift of God.
Zerach: Hebrew. Meaning: light rising.
Zushye, Zusya: Yiddish. Meaning: sweet.
GIRLS
Abigail, Avigail: Hebrew. Meaning: father's joy.
Adra: Aramaic. Meaning: glory; majesty.
Amalia: Hebrew. Meaning: the work of the Lord.
Anechka: Russian. Meaning: grace.
Ansley, Ainsley: Scottish. Meaning: my own meadow.
Aravinda, Adavinda: Indian.
Batya, Batyah, Basia, Basha: Meaning: daughter of God.
Breasha, Briana, Breana: Irish; Scottish. Meaning: strong; virtuous; honorable; feminine of Brian.
Ceridwyn: Welsh. Meaning: fair poetry.
*Chrisentia, Chrisensia
Dalia: Hebrew. Meaning: branch.
Dasha: Russian.
Davina, Davida: Scottish; Hebrew.
Dayita: Indian. Meaning: beloved.
Dhara: Indian. Meaning: costant flow.
Eliana: Hebrew. Meaning: God has answered.
Hadass, Hadassah: Hebrew. Meaning Myrtle Tree.
Havilah: Hebrew. Mainly a male name, however there are more females now with the name too.)
Jaya: Indian. Meaning: victory.
Kiran: Indian. Meaning: ray of light.
Kyla: Irish. Meaning: princess; attractive.
Kyler: (Also a male name.)
Lakshmi: Indian. Meaning: born from the Lotus.
Laurel: Latin. Meaning: the bay; Laurel plant.
Maisri: Scottish
Marni, Marnina: Hebrew. Meaning: rejoice.
Michal: Hebrew. Meaning: who is like God; contraction of Michaela.
**Mirine, Myrrhine (the latter is the traditional spelling): French. (meh’ reh nee, accent on first syllable.)
Pari: Indian. Meaning: beauty; fair.
Peri: Hebrew. Meaning: fruit.
Raisa, Raizel: Yiddish. Meaning: rose.
Ramani: Indian. Meaning: beautiful girl.
Rayna, Reyna: Yiddish. Meaning: clean.
Seirian: Welsh. Meaning: sparkling.
Sima: Aramiac. Meaning: gift.
Simcha: Hebrew. Meaning: joy; also a boys name.
Tegan: Welsh. Meaning: of doe-like beauty.
Teja, Teju: Indian. Meaning: radiant.
Tova: Hebrew. Meaning: good one.
Varsha: Indian. Meaning: rain.
Zipporah, Tzipporah, Tzipora: Hebrew. Meaning: little bird.
*I do not know the origin. The name belonged to my 6x great grandfather's second wife. They came from Germany.
**Thank you Mirine for the information: "Mirine (meh’ reh nee, accent on first syllable.) Original origin, French (Europeans never have trouble pronouncing right off the bat…) … can also be found with the traditional spelling Myrrhine, which is also a character in the Greek play, Lysistrata, which my dad was directly around the time of my impending arrival. Also found in Croatia, there is actually a Mirine beach, with my spelling."
Ronnie's Samba
By Matt Bianco featuring Basia
So here it is, children
Yet another chance
Special delivery for
One final dance
Prick up your ears
Put on your dancing shoes
You’ve waited long enough so no time to lose
By now you know that only true love never dies
Just like mine
Take to heart Ronnie’s samba
Love it back, Ronnie’s samba, samba…
Well, friends,
It’s high time to remember his name
Walk on the Wild Side
Would not be the same
Everything feels right,
Every note falls into place
You can’t help it but smile
Hearing what heaven sent
Now you know
That only true love never dies
Just like mine
Take to heart…
It’s your lucky day
Prepare to be amazed
Favorite spot, Ronnie’s samba
Velvet noise, heavens manna
Perfect sky, Ronnie’s samba
Clear horizon, Ey, Caramba!
Second chance, Ronnie’s samba
Melting heart, O. Hosanna!
Stolen kiss, hardest dream
Stormy bliss, happy stream
So here it is, children
Yet another chance
Special delivery for
One final dance
Prick up your ears
Put on your dancing shoes
You’ve waited long enough so no time to lose
By now you know that only true love never dies
Just like mine
Take to heart Ronnie’s samba
Love it back, Ronnie’s samba, samba…
Well, friends,
It’s high time to remember his name
Walk on the Wild Side
Would not be the same
Everything feels right,
Every note falls into place
You can’t help it but smile
Hearing what heaven sent
Now you know
That only true love never dies
Just like mine
Take to heart…
It’s your lucky day
Prepare to be amazed
Favorite spot, Ronnie’s samba
Velvet noise, heavens manna
Perfect sky, Ronnie’s samba
Clear horizon, Ey, Caramba!
Second chance, Ronnie’s samba
Melting heart, O. Hosanna!
Stolen kiss, hardest dream
Stormy bliss, happy stream
Midwifery-led versus other models of care for childbearing women
Authors' conclusions
All women should be offered midwife-led models of care and women should be encouraged to ask for this option.
Plain language summary
Midwife-led versus other models of care for childbearing women
Midwife-led care confers benefits for pregnant women and their babies and is recommended.
In many parts of the world, midwives are the primary providers of care for childbearing women. Elsewhere it may be medical doctors or family physicians who have the main responsibility for care, or the responsibility may be shared. The underpinning philosophy of midwife-led care is normality and being cared for by a known and trusted midwife during labour. There is an emphasis on the natural ability of women to experience birth with minimum intervention. Some models of midwife-led care provide a service through a team of midwives sharing a caseload, often called 'team' midwifery. Another model is 'caseload midwifery', where the aim is to offer greater continuity of caregiver throughout the episode of care. Caseload midwifery aims to ensure that the woman receives all her care from one midwife or her/his practice partner. By contrast, medical-led models of care are where an obstetrician or family physician is primarily responsible for care. In shared-care models, responsibility is shared between different healthcare professionals.
The review of midwife-led care covered midwives providing care antenatally, during labour and postnatally. This was compared with models of medical-led care and shared care, and identified 11 trials, involving 12,276 women. Midwife-led care was associated with several benefits for mothers and babies, and had no identified adverse effects. The main benefits were a reduced risk of losing a baby before 24 weeks. Also during labour, there was a reduced use of regional analgesia, with fewer episiotomies or instrumental births. Midwife-led care also increased the woman's chance of being cared for in labour by a midwife she had got to know. It also increased the chance of a spontaneous vaginal birth and initiation of breastfeeding. In addition, midwife-led care led to more women feeling they were in control during labour. There was no difference in risk of a mother losing her baby after 24 weeks. The review concluded that all women should be offered midwife-led models of care.
Background
Midwives are primary providers of care for childbearing women around the world. However, there is a lack of synthesised information to establish whether there are differences in morbidity and mortality, effectiveness and psychosocial outcomes between midwife-led and other models of care.
Objectives
To compare midwife-led models of care with other models of care for childbearing women and their infants.
Search strategy
We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (January 2008), Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care Group's Trials Register (January 2008), Current Contents (1994 to January 2008), CINAHL (1982 to August 2006), Web of Science, BIOSIS Previews, ISI Proceedings, (1990 to 2008), and the WHO Reproductive Health Library, No. 9.
Selection criteria
All published and unpublished trials in which pregnant women are randomly allocated to midwife-led or other models of care during pregnancy, and where care is provided during the ante- and intrapartum period in the midwife-led model.
Data collection and analysis
All authors evaluated methodological quality. Two authors independently checked the data extraction.
Main results
We included 11trials (12,276 women). Women who had midwife-led models of care were less likely to experience antenatal hospitalisation, risk ratio (RR) 0.90, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.81 to 0.99), the use of regional analgesia (RR 0.81, 95% CI 0.73 to 0.91), episiotomy (RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.77 to 0.88), and instrumental delivery (RR 0.86, 95% CI 0.78 to 0.96) and were more likely to experience no intrapartum analgesia/anaesthesia (RR 1.16, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.29), spontaneous vaginal birth (RR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.06), to feel in control during labour and childbirth (RR 1.74, 95% CI 1.32 to 2.30), attendance at birth by a known midwife (RR 7.84, 95% CI 4.15 to 14.81) and initiate breastfeeding (RR 1.35, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.76). In addition, women who were randomised to receive midwife-led care were less likely to experience fetal loss before 24 weeks' gestation (RR 0.79, 95% CI 0.65 to 0.97), and their babies were more likely to have a shorter length of hospital stay (mean difference -2.00, 95% CI -2.15 to -1.85). There were no statistically significant differences between groups for overall fetal loss/neonatal death (RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.70 to 1.00), or fetal loss/neonatal death of at least 24 weeks (RR 1.01, 95% CI 0.67 to 1.53).
Authors' conclusions
All women should be offered midwife-led models of care and women should be encouraged to ask for this option.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All women should be offered midwife-led models of care and women should be encouraged to ask for this option.
Plain language summary
Midwife-led versus other models of care for childbearing women
Midwife-led care confers benefits for pregnant women and their babies and is recommended.
In many parts of the world, midwives are the primary providers of care for childbearing women. Elsewhere it may be medical doctors or family physicians who have the main responsibility for care, or the responsibility may be shared. The underpinning philosophy of midwife-led care is normality and being cared for by a known and trusted midwife during labour. There is an emphasis on the natural ability of women to experience birth with minimum intervention. Some models of midwife-led care provide a service through a team of midwives sharing a caseload, often called 'team' midwifery. Another model is 'caseload midwifery', where the aim is to offer greater continuity of caregiver throughout the episode of care. Caseload midwifery aims to ensure that the woman receives all her care from one midwife or her/his practice partner. By contrast, medical-led models of care are where an obstetrician or family physician is primarily responsible for care. In shared-care models, responsibility is shared between different healthcare professionals.
The review of midwife-led care covered midwives providing care antenatally, during labour and postnatally. This was compared with models of medical-led care and shared care, and identified 11 trials, involving 12,276 women. Midwife-led care was associated with several benefits for mothers and babies, and had no identified adverse effects. The main benefits were a reduced risk of losing a baby before 24 weeks. Also during labour, there was a reduced use of regional analgesia, with fewer episiotomies or instrumental births. Midwife-led care also increased the woman's chance of being cared for in labour by a midwife she had got to know. It also increased the chance of a spontaneous vaginal birth and initiation of breastfeeding. In addition, midwife-led care led to more women feeling they were in control during labour. There was no difference in risk of a mother losing her baby after 24 weeks. The review concluded that all women should be offered midwife-led models of care.
Background
Midwives are primary providers of care for childbearing women around the world. However, there is a lack of synthesised information to establish whether there are differences in morbidity and mortality, effectiveness and psychosocial outcomes between midwife-led and other models of care.
Objectives
To compare midwife-led models of care with other models of care for childbearing women and their infants.
Search strategy
We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (January 2008), Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care Group's Trials Register (January 2008), Current Contents (1994 to January 2008), CINAHL (1982 to August 2006), Web of Science, BIOSIS Previews, ISI Proceedings, (1990 to 2008), and the WHO Reproductive Health Library, No. 9.
Selection criteria
All published and unpublished trials in which pregnant women are randomly allocated to midwife-led or other models of care during pregnancy, and where care is provided during the ante- and intrapartum period in the midwife-led model.
Data collection and analysis
All authors evaluated methodological quality. Two authors independently checked the data extraction.
Main results
We included 11trials (12,276 women). Women who had midwife-led models of care were less likely to experience antenatal hospitalisation, risk ratio (RR) 0.90, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.81 to 0.99), the use of regional analgesia (RR 0.81, 95% CI 0.73 to 0.91), episiotomy (RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.77 to 0.88), and instrumental delivery (RR 0.86, 95% CI 0.78 to 0.96) and were more likely to experience no intrapartum analgesia/anaesthesia (RR 1.16, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.29), spontaneous vaginal birth (RR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.06), to feel in control during labour and childbirth (RR 1.74, 95% CI 1.32 to 2.30), attendance at birth by a known midwife (RR 7.84, 95% CI 4.15 to 14.81) and initiate breastfeeding (RR 1.35, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.76). In addition, women who were randomised to receive midwife-led care were less likely to experience fetal loss before 24 weeks' gestation (RR 0.79, 95% CI 0.65 to 0.97), and their babies were more likely to have a shorter length of hospital stay (mean difference -2.00, 95% CI -2.15 to -1.85). There were no statistically significant differences between groups for overall fetal loss/neonatal death (RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.70 to 1.00), or fetal loss/neonatal death of at least 24 weeks (RR 1.01, 95% CI 0.67 to 1.53).
Authors' conclusions
All women should be offered midwife-led models of care and women should be encouraged to ask for this option.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Honey Kills Bacteria That Cause Chronic Sinusitis
Honey is very effective in killing bacteria in all its forms, especially the drug-resistant biofilms that often make treating chronic rhinosinusitis difficult.
A study found that in eleven isolates of three separate biofilms, honey was significantly more effective than commonly-used antibiotics in killing both planktonic and biofilm-grown forms of the bacteria.
The findings may hold important clinical implications in the treatment of refractory chronic rhinosinusitis, which affects 31 million people each year in the United States alone, and is among the three most common chronic diseases in North America.
Sources:
Science Daily September 23, 2008
Dr. Mercola's Comments:
Going back to basics, and using natural therapies that do not add to the problems caused by overuse of antibiotics, is clearly a major leap in the right direction.
Traditional antibiotics are increasingly ineffective against many microbes, to the point that the Centers for Disease Control has stated, “nearly all significant bacterial infections in the world are becoming resistant to the most commonly prescribed antibiotic treatments.”
The return to honey as a natural healing therapy makes all the sense in the world. Honey was a conventional therapy in fighting infection up until the early 20th century, at which time its use slowly vanished as penicillin took center stage.
But today, a fair number of studies exist to reconfirm its medicinal benefits.
The International Journal of Lower Extremity Wounds states that positive findings on honey in wound care have been reported from:
17 randomized controlled trials involving a total of 1965 participants
5 clinical trials of other forms involving 97 participants
16 trials on a total of 533 wounds on experimental animals
There is also a large amount of evidence in the form of published case studies.
One thing to remember here though, is that not all honey is appropriate for medicinal use. The antibacterial activity in some honeys is 100 times more powerful than in others.
The Extraordinary Healing Properties of Manuka Honey
In July 2007, the Food and Drug Administration gave Derma Sciences, a New Jersey-based manufacturer of wound-care products, clearance to sell Manuka honey wound and burn dressings as medical devices in the U.S. (The dressings, called MEDIHONEY Wound & Burn Dressings can be found online from medical supply stores. Amazon.com also sells them.)
The Manuka honey approved for medicinal use has been shown to have special anti-infection, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Clinical trials have found that Manuka honey from New Zealand, made with pollen gathered from the flowers of the Manuka bush (a medicinal plant), can effectively eradicate more than 250 clinical strains of bacteria, including resistant varieties such as:
MRSA (methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus)
MSSA (methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus)
VRE (vancomycin-resistant enterococci)
It’s also effective for killing the bacteria Helicobacter Pylori, which can cause stomach ulcers.
What is the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF)?
Manuka honey is rated according to its “Unique Manuka Factor,” (UMF). It is so called because no one has yet been able to discover the unique substance involved that gives it its extraordinary antibacterial activity.
Honey releases hydrogen peroxide through an enzymatic process, which explains its general antiseptic qualities, but Active Manuka honey contains “something else” that makes it far superior to other types of honey when it comes to killing off bacteria. Hence, the UMF number is the standard description for the antibacterial strength of the honey.
To get its rating, a sample of the honey batch is placed on a plate with a bacterial culture. The area where the bacterial growth stops is then measured. This area is compared to a similar area produced by a solution of phenol and water. The UMF number refers to the equivalent percentage of phenol in water, so, for example, honey with a UMF rating of 10 has the same antibacterial strength as 10 percent phenol.
A rating of UMF 10 or higher is recommended for medicinal use.
If you’re in a pinch, using raw, organic honey is also acceptable. But avoid using the processed or refined honey generally found in the supermarket. “USA Grade A Honey” has over 75 percent probability of being force-fed and regurgitated high fructose corn syrup, flavored, and colored, honey. Due to its pH and lack of naturally occurring enzymatic, antibacterial or anti-microbial characteristics, this type of honey can do more harm than good.
How to Prevent Recurring Sinus Infections
Although I didn’t specifically focus on the use of honey for sinus infections above, I believe it can clearly be of help, and it wouldn’t hurt to keep some available in your natural remedies cabinet.
Sinus infections (sinusitis) strike 1 in 7, or about 37 million Americans every year, and health care workers report about 33 million cases of chronic sinusitis to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention annually. So sinus infections are something many people struggle with.
Poor food quality, excessive exposure to toxic chemicals and a high-speed lifestyle in combination with poor adaptation to high stress levels puts you at greater risk for developing sinus infections (as well as all other types of disease). Therefore, maintaining a robust immune system and creating an environment inhospitable to bacterial and fungal proliferation can help prevent sinus infections from occurring in the first place.
Here are a few of my top preventive measures:
Avoid eating sugar or grains, as detailed in my nutrition plan
Consume good quality krill or fish oil, high in omega-3 fats DHA and EPA
Eat coconut oil. Coconut oil is rich in lauric acid, which is known for being antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal. However, be careful with which oil you choose, as many coconut oils contain fungal toxins. This is because they are commonly made with copras, or dried coconuts, which are often contaminated with mycotoxins. So in order to fully enjoy the benefits of this coconut oil, you will want to be sure that you find a company that uses only fresh coconuts to make their oil.
Avoid eating these top 10 mycotoxic foods
Get proper sleep
Get regular exercise
For more details and great tips on how to treat sinusitis without the use of drugs, please review my previous article, How to Flush Away Sinus Ills.
A study found that in eleven isolates of three separate biofilms, honey was significantly more effective than commonly-used antibiotics in killing both planktonic and biofilm-grown forms of the bacteria.
The findings may hold important clinical implications in the treatment of refractory chronic rhinosinusitis, which affects 31 million people each year in the United States alone, and is among the three most common chronic diseases in North America.
Sources:
Science Daily September 23, 2008
Dr. Mercola's Comments:
Going back to basics, and using natural therapies that do not add to the problems caused by overuse of antibiotics, is clearly a major leap in the right direction.
Traditional antibiotics are increasingly ineffective against many microbes, to the point that the Centers for Disease Control has stated, “nearly all significant bacterial infections in the world are becoming resistant to the most commonly prescribed antibiotic treatments.”
The return to honey as a natural healing therapy makes all the sense in the world. Honey was a conventional therapy in fighting infection up until the early 20th century, at which time its use slowly vanished as penicillin took center stage.
But today, a fair number of studies exist to reconfirm its medicinal benefits.
The International Journal of Lower Extremity Wounds states that positive findings on honey in wound care have been reported from:
17 randomized controlled trials involving a total of 1965 participants
5 clinical trials of other forms involving 97 participants
16 trials on a total of 533 wounds on experimental animals
There is also a large amount of evidence in the form of published case studies.
One thing to remember here though, is that not all honey is appropriate for medicinal use. The antibacterial activity in some honeys is 100 times more powerful than in others.
The Extraordinary Healing Properties of Manuka Honey
In July 2007, the Food and Drug Administration gave Derma Sciences, a New Jersey-based manufacturer of wound-care products, clearance to sell Manuka honey wound and burn dressings as medical devices in the U.S. (The dressings, called MEDIHONEY Wound & Burn Dressings can be found online from medical supply stores. Amazon.com also sells them.)
The Manuka honey approved for medicinal use has been shown to have special anti-infection, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Clinical trials have found that Manuka honey from New Zealand, made with pollen gathered from the flowers of the Manuka bush (a medicinal plant), can effectively eradicate more than 250 clinical strains of bacteria, including resistant varieties such as:
MRSA (methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus)
MSSA (methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus)
VRE (vancomycin-resistant enterococci)
It’s also effective for killing the bacteria Helicobacter Pylori, which can cause stomach ulcers.
What is the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF)?
Manuka honey is rated according to its “Unique Manuka Factor,” (UMF). It is so called because no one has yet been able to discover the unique substance involved that gives it its extraordinary antibacterial activity.
Honey releases hydrogen peroxide through an enzymatic process, which explains its general antiseptic qualities, but Active Manuka honey contains “something else” that makes it far superior to other types of honey when it comes to killing off bacteria. Hence, the UMF number is the standard description for the antibacterial strength of the honey.
To get its rating, a sample of the honey batch is placed on a plate with a bacterial culture. The area where the bacterial growth stops is then measured. This area is compared to a similar area produced by a solution of phenol and water. The UMF number refers to the equivalent percentage of phenol in water, so, for example, honey with a UMF rating of 10 has the same antibacterial strength as 10 percent phenol.
A rating of UMF 10 or higher is recommended for medicinal use.
If you’re in a pinch, using raw, organic honey is also acceptable. But avoid using the processed or refined honey generally found in the supermarket. “USA Grade A Honey” has over 75 percent probability of being force-fed and regurgitated high fructose corn syrup, flavored, and colored, honey. Due to its pH and lack of naturally occurring enzymatic, antibacterial or anti-microbial characteristics, this type of honey can do more harm than good.
How to Prevent Recurring Sinus Infections
Although I didn’t specifically focus on the use of honey for sinus infections above, I believe it can clearly be of help, and it wouldn’t hurt to keep some available in your natural remedies cabinet.
Sinus infections (sinusitis) strike 1 in 7, or about 37 million Americans every year, and health care workers report about 33 million cases of chronic sinusitis to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention annually. So sinus infections are something many people struggle with.
Poor food quality, excessive exposure to toxic chemicals and a high-speed lifestyle in combination with poor adaptation to high stress levels puts you at greater risk for developing sinus infections (as well as all other types of disease). Therefore, maintaining a robust immune system and creating an environment inhospitable to bacterial and fungal proliferation can help prevent sinus infections from occurring in the first place.
Here are a few of my top preventive measures:
Avoid eating sugar or grains, as detailed in my nutrition plan
Consume good quality krill or fish oil, high in omega-3 fats DHA and EPA
Eat coconut oil. Coconut oil is rich in lauric acid, which is known for being antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal. However, be careful with which oil you choose, as many coconut oils contain fungal toxins. This is because they are commonly made with copras, or dried coconuts, which are often contaminated with mycotoxins. So in order to fully enjoy the benefits of this coconut oil, you will want to be sure that you find a company that uses only fresh coconuts to make their oil.
Avoid eating these top 10 mycotoxic foods
Get proper sleep
Get regular exercise
For more details and great tips on how to treat sinusitis without the use of drugs, please review my previous article, How to Flush Away Sinus Ills.
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Study: High-tech interventions deliver huge childbirth bill
By Rita Rubin, USA TODAY
Childbirth is the leading reason for hospitalization in the USA and one of the top reasons for outpatient visits, yet much maternity care consists of high-tech procedures that lack scientific evidence of benefit for most women, a report says today.
U.S. hospital charges for maternal and newborn care jumped from $79 billion in 2005 to $86 billion in 2006, the authors write. More than $2.5 billion a year is spent on unnecessary C-sections, which now represent nearly a third of all deliveries.
Reducing expensive techniques such as C-sections and increasing low-cost approaches such as childbirth assistants called doulas would improve mothers' and babies' health while cutting costs, the authors say.
READ MORE: From here to better maternity
BETTER LIFE: More pregnancy news
The report was produced by the Milbank Memorial Fund, the Reforming States Group of government health policy leaders; and Childbirth Connection, a research and advocacy group.
"Everybody recognizes that our health care system's in trouble," says Childbirth Connection's Maureen Corry, co-author with colleague Carol Sakala. "But when it comes to maternity care, no one talks about it."
Yet, she says, with 4.3 million babies born annually, nearly one in four people discharged from U.S. hospitals are new mothers or newborns. On the outpatient side, only checkups, follow-ups and coughs rack up more visits than maternity care.
In 2005, the average hospital charge for an uncomplicated vaginal birth was $7,000, compared with $16,000 for a complicated C-section, Corry reports. "I think a lot of people have no idea about the cost," she says.
The University of Wisconsin's Douglas Laube, a former president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, blames "very significant external forces" for the overuse of expensive technologies in maternity care.
"I don't like to admit it, but there are economic incentives" for doctors and hospitals to use the procedures, says Laube, who reviewed the new report before its release.
For example, some doctors might get bonuses for performing more labor inductions, which adds costs and increases the risk of C-sections, which, in turn, increase hospital profits because they require longer stays.
In addition, some doctors order unnecessary tests and procedures to protect against malpractice suits, Laube says.
Bonnie Jellen, head of the American Hospital Association's maternal and child health section, hadn't seen the report. She says women's preferences and doctor's malpractice concerns have helped raise the C-section rate.
Says Corry: "A lot of people think pregnant women are accidents waiting to happen. It's just crazy."
Michelle Suggests to find a doula, or other related women's health professional visit:
www.cappa.net
www.operationspecialdelivery.com
www.doulaworld.com
www.welcomebaby.com
www.thehappiestbaby.com
www.doulanetwork.com
Childbirth is the leading reason for hospitalization in the USA and one of the top reasons for outpatient visits, yet much maternity care consists of high-tech procedures that lack scientific evidence of benefit for most women, a report says today.
U.S. hospital charges for maternal and newborn care jumped from $79 billion in 2005 to $86 billion in 2006, the authors write. More than $2.5 billion a year is spent on unnecessary C-sections, which now represent nearly a third of all deliveries.
Reducing expensive techniques such as C-sections and increasing low-cost approaches such as childbirth assistants called doulas would improve mothers' and babies' health while cutting costs, the authors say.
READ MORE: From here to better maternity
BETTER LIFE: More pregnancy news
The report was produced by the Milbank Memorial Fund, the Reforming States Group of government health policy leaders; and Childbirth Connection, a research and advocacy group.
"Everybody recognizes that our health care system's in trouble," says Childbirth Connection's Maureen Corry, co-author with colleague Carol Sakala. "But when it comes to maternity care, no one talks about it."
Yet, she says, with 4.3 million babies born annually, nearly one in four people discharged from U.S. hospitals are new mothers or newborns. On the outpatient side, only checkups, follow-ups and coughs rack up more visits than maternity care.
In 2005, the average hospital charge for an uncomplicated vaginal birth was $7,000, compared with $16,000 for a complicated C-section, Corry reports. "I think a lot of people have no idea about the cost," she says.
The University of Wisconsin's Douglas Laube, a former president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, blames "very significant external forces" for the overuse of expensive technologies in maternity care.
"I don't like to admit it, but there are economic incentives" for doctors and hospitals to use the procedures, says Laube, who reviewed the new report before its release.
For example, some doctors might get bonuses for performing more labor inductions, which adds costs and increases the risk of C-sections, which, in turn, increase hospital profits because they require longer stays.
In addition, some doctors order unnecessary tests and procedures to protect against malpractice suits, Laube says.
Bonnie Jellen, head of the American Hospital Association's maternal and child health section, hadn't seen the report. She says women's preferences and doctor's malpractice concerns have helped raise the C-section rate.
Says Corry: "A lot of people think pregnant women are accidents waiting to happen. It's just crazy."
Michelle Suggests to find a doula, or other related women's health professional visit:
www.cappa.net
www.operationspecialdelivery.com
www.doulaworld.com
www.welcomebaby.com
www.thehappiestbaby.com
www.doulanetwork.com
Jack McKenna Recommendations for Lowering the Risk of SIDS
The government issued a grant for Jack McKenna to study SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and make recommendations for lowering the risk.
Jack McKenna's suggestions (in order):
Breastfeed
Co-sleep
Baby on back to sleep
http://www.sidsga.org/SitePages/Pdf/McKenna06_2005.pdf
Sleep lecture:
http://www.nd.edu/~jmckenn1/lab/
Jack McKenna's suggestions (in order):
Breastfeed
Co-sleep
Baby on back to sleep
http://www.sidsga.org/SitePages/Pdf/McKenna06_2005.pdf
Sleep lecture:
http://www.nd.edu/~jmckenn1/lab/
2008 Great Breastfeeding Challenge!
Let's Celebrate Breastfeeding!
BirthMark & Dar a Luz Network are hosting...
The Media site for the
2008 Great Breastfeeding Challenge!
Calling all expectant parents, nursing Moms & Babes,
breastfeeding supporters and advocates...for a don't miss, fun
& empowering event....
Join with Moms & Babes around the Globe
on Saturday, Oct 11th @ 11am
at the Media BirthMark as we celebrate and support
breastfeeding with the 2008 Breastfeeding Challenge.
11am - Moms & Babes will "latch on" to be counted towards the
world-wide total (non-nursers are welcome and encouraged to
join the crowd in making a statement in support of
breastfeeding).*Snacks and beverages provided.
We will be raffling off a $50 BirthMark gift certificate at 12pm
12pm - A Breastfeeding Support/Education Group hosted by our
Lactation Counselor, Jackie Kelleher (a great opportunity for
both expectant and nursing moms!)
Plus - Take advantage of a 15% discount off all breastfeeding
products at our Media boutique all day on Oct. 11th (Sat. hours
are 11-4)
Why? To celebrate breastfeeding and demonstrate promotion,
protection and support for breastfeeding women and their
families. A great time for education and peer support done in
a fun and social way!
Cost? None
So spread the word, forward this to every nursing couple you
know, bring your friends & nurslings, and together we'll make a
statement in support and celebration of breastfeeding!
For more information call (610)892-5051 or email
jackie@familybirthmark.com
BirthMark & Dar a Luz Network are hosting...
The Media site for the
2008 Great Breastfeeding Challenge!
Calling all expectant parents, nursing Moms & Babes,
breastfeeding supporters and advocates...for a don't miss, fun
& empowering event....
Join with Moms & Babes around the Globe
on Saturday, Oct 11th @ 11am
at the Media BirthMark as we celebrate and support
breastfeeding with the 2008 Breastfeeding Challenge.
11am - Moms & Babes will "latch on" to be counted towards the
world-wide total (non-nursers are welcome and encouraged to
join the crowd in making a statement in support of
breastfeeding).*Snacks and beverages provided.
We will be raffling off a $50 BirthMark gift certificate at 12pm
12pm - A Breastfeeding Support/Education Group hosted by our
Lactation Counselor, Jackie Kelleher (a great opportunity for
both expectant and nursing moms!)
Plus - Take advantage of a 15% discount off all breastfeeding
products at our Media boutique all day on Oct. 11th (Sat. hours
are 11-4)
Why? To celebrate breastfeeding and demonstrate promotion,
protection and support for breastfeeding women and their
families. A great time for education and peer support done in
a fun and social way!
Cost? None
So spread the word, forward this to every nursing couple you
know, bring your friends & nurslings, and together we'll make a
statement in support and celebration of breastfeeding!
For more information call (610)892-5051 or email
jackie@familybirthmark.com
Yoga For the Childbearing Year
Birthing Hands of DC Presents
“Yoga for the Childbearing Year:
Breastfeeding as Meditation”
Instructor: Nikki Plaskett, CYT, Doula, LLLBC
Saturday, October 25, 2008
10:00 a. m.– 12:00 noon
Emergence Community Arts Collective
733 Euclid Street, NW
(Near Howard Univ. and Benjamin Banneker High School)
Washington, DC 20001
www.ecacollective.org
Who Should Attend?
Class will be of special interest to: breastfeeding or pregnant mothers, childbirth educators, doulas, lactation consultants, pediatric and obstetric healthcare professionals and prenatal and postpartum yoga teachers. Nursing children welcome.
What Will Be Covered?
Class will cover yoga and meditation techniques appropriate for the childbearing year and the art of breastfeeding. Special emphasis will be placed on a yoga practice in support of breastfeeding.
Description:
Class will teach the fundamentals of developing a yoga practice relative to the journey of Motherhood. Breastfeeding is selfless service, a special time in a woman’s life when she is in the grace of the universe being her authentic self. This class will explore the meditative depths women achieve as Divine Mothers. Many of us face the obstacle of ignorance when seeking breastfeeding support. The arms of information will be shared to defeat these obstacles.
Discussion topics include: breast anatomy, physiology of breastfeeding, benefits of breastfeeding, breastfeeding holds and positions, breastfeeding and siblings. Attendees will have the benefit of witnessing breastfeeding first hand; the instructor will co-teach with her baby boy, Royal.
What to bring
Yoga mat, pillows for nursing support (boppy), baby/doll/teddy bear.
Nikki T. Plaskett aka Siri Swami Kaur is the director of Birthing Bliss Perinatal Services and mother of 2 sons Noble and Royal Marshall. She recently returned to the Virgin Islands from Washington DC, where she is a breastfeeding counselor, childbirth educator and doula. Her dynamic workshops meld trainings as a certified yoga teacher in Vinyasa, Kundalini and Khalsa Way Pregnancy Yoga, Healthy Moms Perinatal Fitness Instructor and Prenatal Thai Massage.
Registration Fee: $40.00; $45.00 at the door
Register @
http://birthinghandsdc-yoga.eventbrite.com
Click here for printable PDF flyer.
Space is Limited. Early Registration Recommended.
A Certificate of Attendance will be presented for use
with DONA, ALACE and ICTC CEUs.
“Yoga for the Childbearing Year:
Breastfeeding as Meditation”
Instructor: Nikki Plaskett, CYT, Doula, LLLBC
Saturday, October 25, 2008
10:00 a. m.– 12:00 noon
Emergence Community Arts Collective
733 Euclid Street, NW
(Near Howard Univ. and Benjamin Banneker High School)
Washington, DC 20001
www.ecacollective.org
Who Should Attend?
Class will be of special interest to: breastfeeding or pregnant mothers, childbirth educators, doulas, lactation consultants, pediatric and obstetric healthcare professionals and prenatal and postpartum yoga teachers. Nursing children welcome.
What Will Be Covered?
Class will cover yoga and meditation techniques appropriate for the childbearing year and the art of breastfeeding. Special emphasis will be placed on a yoga practice in support of breastfeeding.
Description:
Class will teach the fundamentals of developing a yoga practice relative to the journey of Motherhood. Breastfeeding is selfless service, a special time in a woman’s life when she is in the grace of the universe being her authentic self. This class will explore the meditative depths women achieve as Divine Mothers. Many of us face the obstacle of ignorance when seeking breastfeeding support. The arms of information will be shared to defeat these obstacles.
Discussion topics include: breast anatomy, physiology of breastfeeding, benefits of breastfeeding, breastfeeding holds and positions, breastfeeding and siblings. Attendees will have the benefit of witnessing breastfeeding first hand; the instructor will co-teach with her baby boy, Royal.
What to bring
Yoga mat, pillows for nursing support (boppy), baby/doll/teddy bear.
Nikki T. Plaskett aka Siri Swami Kaur is the director of Birthing Bliss Perinatal Services and mother of 2 sons Noble and Royal Marshall. She recently returned to the Virgin Islands from Washington DC, where she is a breastfeeding counselor, childbirth educator and doula. Her dynamic workshops meld trainings as a certified yoga teacher in Vinyasa, Kundalini and Khalsa Way Pregnancy Yoga, Healthy Moms Perinatal Fitness Instructor and Prenatal Thai Massage.
Registration Fee: $40.00; $45.00 at the door
Register @
http://birthinghandsdc-yoga.eventbrite.com
Click here for printable PDF flyer.
Space is Limited. Early Registration Recommended.
A Certificate of Attendance will be presented for use
with DONA, ALACE and ICTC CEUs.
Vaccines: Controversies and Choices
Event: Discussion
Where: Downingtown Town Library
When: October 23rd at 6:30 pm
With Nicole and Russ of Bailey Family Chiropractic.
It will last about an hour and be very informative. Please let Nicole Bailey
know if you plan on coming at nicole@baileyfamilychiropractic.com.
Where: Downingtown Town Library
When: October 23rd at 6:30 pm
With Nicole and Russ of Bailey Family Chiropractic.
It will last about an hour and be very informative. Please let Nicole Bailey
know if you plan on coming at nicole@baileyfamilychiropractic.com.
Doula Care for Middle Class Women with Male Partners Substantially Lowers Cesarean Rate
McGrath, S. K., & Kennell, J. H. (2008). A randomized controlled trial of continuous labor support for middle-class couples: Effect on cesarean delivery rates. Birth, 35(2), 92-97. [Abstract]
Summary: In this randomized, controlled trial, healthy, middle-class pregnant women expecting their first child were assigned to have continuous support from a trained and certified doula (n = 224) or to usual care (n = 196). The doula group had support from their male partners as well as a doula, while the usual care group were accompanied by partners but did not have the additional support of a doula. The women were primarily Caucasian (78%), married (88%), and educated (57% had college degrees). All women in both groups attended childbirth education classes in the greater Cleveland area between 1988 and 1992. Researchers collected data about labor and birth outcomes from the medical chart. In addition, couples who had doula care in labor were asked to complete questionnaires before hospital discharge and approximately six weeks after giving birth. Eighty-eight percent of mothers returned both questionnaires. Among fathers, 81% returned the first questionnaire while 76% returned the questionnaire sent at six weeks.
The doula group was significantly less likely to give birth by cesarean section than the control group (13% versus 25%, an excess of 12%). Doulas had an even more marked effect on the likelihood of cesarean when labor was induced. Ten of the 17 women in the control group who were induced gave birth by cesarean section compared with only 2 of the 16 women induced in the doula group, a highly significant finding (excess 47%). Doula-supported women were also less likely to have epidural analgesia, although most women in both groups had epidurals (65% in the doula group versus 76% in the control group, excess 12%). On the first postpartum questionnaire (administered before hospital discharge), all women and all of the male partners rated having a doula as "very positive" (93%) or "positive" (7%). All but two respondents rated having a doula as very positive or positive at six weeks postpartum.
Significance for Normal Birth: A large body of literature, including two well-designed systematic reviews, provides overwhelming evidence for the benefits of continuous support in labor. However, previous studies have varied greatly in aspects of trial quality, population studied, and presence of other support people, and many of the trials have been conducted in countries with maternity care systems unlike that in the United States .
This variation raises the question of whether results apply to the population who typically attend childbirth preparation classes. Moreover, in an era when male partners are usually present at birth, we have lacked evidence as to whether doulas provide additional benefit.
This new study provides compelling evidence that, even when accompanied by their male partners, middle class first-time mothers benefit immensely from professional doula care. Specifically, even with epidural use and induction, they may markedly decrease their chances of having cesarean surgery. Moreover, these benefits are achieved with no loss in satisfaction by their male partners.
Summary: In this randomized, controlled trial, healthy, middle-class pregnant women expecting their first child were assigned to have continuous support from a trained and certified doula (n = 224) or to usual care (n = 196). The doula group had support from their male partners as well as a doula, while the usual care group were accompanied by partners but did not have the additional support of a doula. The women were primarily Caucasian (78%), married (88%), and educated (57% had college degrees). All women in both groups attended childbirth education classes in the greater Cleveland area between 1988 and 1992. Researchers collected data about labor and birth outcomes from the medical chart. In addition, couples who had doula care in labor were asked to complete questionnaires before hospital discharge and approximately six weeks after giving birth. Eighty-eight percent of mothers returned both questionnaires. Among fathers, 81% returned the first questionnaire while 76% returned the questionnaire sent at six weeks.
The doula group was significantly less likely to give birth by cesarean section than the control group (13% versus 25%, an excess of 12%). Doulas had an even more marked effect on the likelihood of cesarean when labor was induced. Ten of the 17 women in the control group who were induced gave birth by cesarean section compared with only 2 of the 16 women induced in the doula group, a highly significant finding (excess 47%). Doula-supported women were also less likely to have epidural analgesia, although most women in both groups had epidurals (65% in the doula group versus 76% in the control group, excess 12%). On the first postpartum questionnaire (administered before hospital discharge), all women and all of the male partners rated having a doula as "very positive" (93%) or "positive" (7%). All but two respondents rated having a doula as very positive or positive at six weeks postpartum.
Significance for Normal Birth: A large body of literature, including two well-designed systematic reviews, provides overwhelming evidence for the benefits of continuous support in labor. However, previous studies have varied greatly in aspects of trial quality, population studied, and presence of other support people, and many of the trials have been conducted in countries with maternity care systems unlike that in the United States .
This variation raises the question of whether results apply to the population who typically attend childbirth preparation classes. Moreover, in an era when male partners are usually present at birth, we have lacked evidence as to whether doulas provide additional benefit.
This new study provides compelling evidence that, even when accompanied by their male partners, middle class first-time mothers benefit immensely from professional doula care. Specifically, even with epidural use and induction, they may markedly decrease their chances of having cesarean surgery. Moreover, these benefits are achieved with no loss in satisfaction by their male partners.
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Author Pam England Interview on WGDR
Pam England, author of Birthing From Within, will be interviewed on WGDR community radio in Goddard, Vermont on Wednesday, October 8 from 8:30 to 10 am Eastern (5:30 to 7 am Pacific). She will be discussing "Birth as a Hero's Journey" and emotional birth trauma.
The show is called "The Quilting Hour" and focuses on issues relating to women and health. One of our Certified Mentors in Vermont, Marianne Perchlik, will kick off the interview and talk a little bit about Birthing From Within, then Pam will join the show.
Click here for more information and to listen to the show online:
http://www.wgdr.org/listenlive.html
The show is called "The Quilting Hour" and focuses on issues relating to women and health. One of our Certified Mentors in Vermont, Marianne Perchlik, will kick off the interview and talk a little bit about Birthing From Within, then Pam will join the show.
Click here for more information and to listen to the show online:
http://www.wgdr.org/listenlive.html
Obstetric risk indicators for labour dystocia in nulliparous women:a multi-centre cohort study
Hanne Kjaergaard , Jorn Olsen , Bent Ottesen , Per Nyberg and Anna-Karin Dykes
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2008, 8:45doi:10.1186/1471-2393-8-45
Published: 6 October 2008
Abstract (provisional)
Background
In nulliparous women dystocia is the most common obstetric problem and its etiology is largely unknown. The frequency of augmentation and cesarean delivery related to dystocia is high although it is not clear if a slow progress justifies the interventions. Studies of risk factors for dystocia often do not provide diagnostic criteria for the diagnosis. The aim of the present study was to identify obstetric and clinical risk indicators of dystocia defined by strict and explicit criteria.
Methods
A multi-centre population based cohort study with prospectively collected data from 2810 nulliparous women in term spontaneous labour with a singleton infant in cephalic presentation. Data were collected by self-administered questionnaires and clinical data-records. Logistic regression analyses were used to estimate adjusted Odds Ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) are given.
Results
The following characteristics, present at admission to hospital, were associated with dystocia during labour (OR, 95% CI): dilatation of cervix < 4 cm (1.63, 1.38-1.92), tense cervix (1.31, 1.04-1.65), thick lower segment (1.32, 1.09-1.61), fetal head above the inter-spinal diameter (2.29, 1.80-2.92) and poor fetal head-to-cervix contact (1.83, 1.31-2.56). The use of epidural analgesia (5.65, 4.33-7.38) was also associated with dystocia.
Conclusions
Vaginal examinations at admission provide useful information on risk indicators for dystocia. The strongest risk indicator was use of epidural analgesia and if part of that is causal, it is of concern.
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2393/8/45/abstract
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2008, 8:45doi:10.1186/1471-2393-8-45
Published: 6 October 2008
Abstract (provisional)
Background
In nulliparous women dystocia is the most common obstetric problem and its etiology is largely unknown. The frequency of augmentation and cesarean delivery related to dystocia is high although it is not clear if a slow progress justifies the interventions. Studies of risk factors for dystocia often do not provide diagnostic criteria for the diagnosis. The aim of the present study was to identify obstetric and clinical risk indicators of dystocia defined by strict and explicit criteria.
Methods
A multi-centre population based cohort study with prospectively collected data from 2810 nulliparous women in term spontaneous labour with a singleton infant in cephalic presentation. Data were collected by self-administered questionnaires and clinical data-records. Logistic regression analyses were used to estimate adjusted Odds Ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) are given.
Results
The following characteristics, present at admission to hospital, were associated with dystocia during labour (OR, 95% CI): dilatation of cervix < 4 cm (1.63, 1.38-1.92), tense cervix (1.31, 1.04-1.65), thick lower segment (1.32, 1.09-1.61), fetal head above the inter-spinal diameter (2.29, 1.80-2.92) and poor fetal head-to-cervix contact (1.83, 1.31-2.56). The use of epidural analgesia (5.65, 4.33-7.38) was also associated with dystocia.
Conclusions
Vaginal examinations at admission provide useful information on risk indicators for dystocia. The strongest risk indicator was use of epidural analgesia and if part of that is causal, it is of concern.
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2393/8/45/abstract
Monday, October 06, 2008
CAPPA Fall Savings
The leaves are falling and so are CAPPA prices!
Processing Fee Savings!!
Ready to turn in your CAPPA certification packets or pre-pay your processing fee?
Then enjoy our $25.00 discount through October 10th 2008.
Use CAPPA's online store to pre-pay for your processing fee or recertification fee and receive a $25.00 discount instantly!
Regular Price: $75.00 Sale Price: $50.00 Offer ends 10-10-08
This offer is good on Exam processing fees and on Re-certification fees!
SAVE NOW-CLICK HERE
Processing Fee Savings!!
Ready to turn in your CAPPA certification packets or pre-pay your processing fee?
Then enjoy our $25.00 discount through October 10th 2008.
Use CAPPA's online store to pre-pay for your processing fee or recertification fee and receive a $25.00 discount instantly!
Regular Price: $75.00 Sale Price: $50.00 Offer ends 10-10-08
This offer is good on Exam processing fees and on Re-certification fees!
SAVE NOW-CLICK HERE
Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Conference
When: 14 & 15 November 2008
Where: Scarborogh Civic Centre, Toronto, Canada
Theme: "Greening Birth – Environmental Impacts on Childbirth and Postpartum"
Pre-registration is required, and space is limited.
www.cappacanada.ca
CAPPA Canada (Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association of
Canada) invites all childbirth and postpartum professionals to join our annual
conference. Our focus for 2008 is environmental impacts and education as it relates to pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum experiences. Anyone working with expectant and new families will enhance their knowledge and the services they provide expectant and postpartum families.
Keynote Speakers and Topics:
-Teresa Pittman "What Newborn Babies know about Breastfeeding"
-Beth Anne Currie "Children's Vulnerability to Environmental Impacts";
-Brian Russell "Getting Dads Involved";
-Dr. Amy Robinson "Optimizing Pregnancy, Birth and Infancy - A hands-
on approach";
-Dr. Riina Bray and Nancy Bradshaw "Hidden Exposures: Environment,
Reproduction and Pregnancy";
-Dr. Barrett "Where do babies come from";
-Dr. Pam Angle "Epidural research".
-Marcie Macari "Transformational Intangibles: Embracing Mystery in
Birth"
Pre-registration is required, and space is limited.
This Conference is offered free to CAPPA members. Non-members are
welcome and pay only $75.00, or join CAPPA and come to the conference
for Free!
More information and registration details at www.cappacanada.ca
Where: Scarborogh Civic Centre, Toronto, Canada
Theme: "Greening Birth – Environmental Impacts on Childbirth and Postpartum"
Pre-registration is required, and space is limited.
www.cappacanada.ca
CAPPA Canada (Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association of
Canada) invites all childbirth and postpartum professionals to join our annual
conference. Our focus for 2008 is environmental impacts and education as it relates to pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum experiences. Anyone working with expectant and new families will enhance their knowledge and the services they provide expectant and postpartum families.
Keynote Speakers and Topics:
-Teresa Pittman "What Newborn Babies know about Breastfeeding"
-Beth Anne Currie "Children's Vulnerability to Environmental Impacts";
-Brian Russell "Getting Dads Involved";
-Dr. Amy Robinson "Optimizing Pregnancy, Birth and Infancy - A hands-
on approach";
-Dr. Riina Bray and Nancy Bradshaw "Hidden Exposures: Environment,
Reproduction and Pregnancy";
-Dr. Barrett "Where do babies come from";
-Dr. Pam Angle "Epidural research".
-Marcie Macari "Transformational Intangibles: Embracing Mystery in
Birth"
Pre-registration is required, and space is limited.
This Conference is offered free to CAPPA members. Non-members are
welcome and pay only $75.00, or join CAPPA and come to the conference
for Free!
More information and registration details at www.cappacanada.ca
The Swap Spot
Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle
The Swap Spot is your never ending virtual closet.
www.TheSwapSpot.ning.com
The best thing we, as a community of mothers, can do for
Mother Earth is to use less of her by stepping out of the
disposable way of thinking. Through the sponsorship of
Pampered Pregger & Beyond, we can contribute to the
green living cause of reducing, reusing and recycling
maternity & infant, toddler and preschooler clothing as
well as toys & accessories.
By swapping or selling gently used items we can
save a lot of money and conserve our resources at the same time!
The Swap Spot Community is designed for you to trade in
the items that your little love has outgrown and acquire
clothing, toys and accessories for your babe to grow into.
Close your eyes and imagine The Swap Spot as your access
to thousands of closets around world.
Membership Benefits
* Private Online Community
* eDiscussion Group
* eNewsletters
* 24/7 access
* Monthly Swap Meets
* Friendships Worldwide
* Contribution to the Environment
The Swap Spot is your never ending virtual closet.
www.TheSwapSpot.ning.com
The best thing we, as a community of mothers, can do for
Mother Earth is to use less of her by stepping out of the
disposable way of thinking. Through the sponsorship of
Pampered Pregger & Beyond, we can contribute to the
green living cause of reducing, reusing and recycling
maternity & infant, toddler and preschooler clothing as
well as toys & accessories.
By swapping or selling gently used items we can
save a lot of money and conserve our resources at the same time!
The Swap Spot Community is designed for you to trade in
the items that your little love has outgrown and acquire
clothing, toys and accessories for your babe to grow into.
Close your eyes and imagine The Swap Spot as your access
to thousands of closets around world.
Membership Benefits
* Private Online Community
* eDiscussion Group
* eNewsletters
* 24/7 access
* Monthly Swap Meets
* Friendships Worldwide
* Contribution to the Environment
Hug Your Baby
The HUG Your Baby Two-hour Online Continuing Educational Program
is now available!
Prevent and solve problems around crying, sleeping, eating, and parent-child interaction.
This innovative and evidenced-based program will help you share newborn behavior more effectively with expectant and new parents.
Watch a Free 14-minute Preview
(7-minute Introduction & 7-minute Use of Information)
Go to www.hugyourbaby.com/
Click purple star: “Online Course”
CLICK “Create New Account”
CLICK "Registration Tab", complete demographic info
CLICK "My Courses" ‘
Print “Preview Outline & Bibliography” (Document)
CLICK “Free Preview…”
CLICK “Lesson 1”
CLICK "Start Chalkboard" to begin this lesson.
Convenient Come-and-Go Format
This program is designed so that you may begin, then leave, and later return at your convenience to complete the program.
Earn Credit from the HUG Your Baby Course
HUG Your Baby is approved for 2 contact hours (or 0.2 CEUs) continuing education credits by:
• NC Nurses Association * Lamaze International * NAPNAP * DONA * ACNM
• ICEA, CAPPA, and other state nurses associations accept credit from the NC Nurses Association.
Purchase the HUG Your Baby Course ($25)
Go to www.hugyourbaby.com/
Click purple star: “Online Course”
CLICK “Create New Account”
CLICK "Registration Tab", complete demographic information. After completing demographic information, you will be asked for credit card information. THIS IS A SECURE SITE.
CLICK "My Courses" ‘
CLICK “HUG Your Baby” Course
CLICK “Lesson 1”
Print Documents for lesson 1
CLICK "Start Chalkboard" to begin this lesson.
is now available!
Prevent and solve problems around crying, sleeping, eating, and parent-child interaction.
This innovative and evidenced-based program will help you share newborn behavior more effectively with expectant and new parents.
Watch a Free 14-minute Preview
(7-minute Introduction & 7-minute Use of Information)
Go to www.hugyourbaby.com/
Click purple star: “Online Course”
CLICK “Create New Account”
CLICK "Registration Tab", complete demographic info
CLICK "My Courses" ‘
Print “Preview Outline & Bibliography” (Document)
CLICK “Free Preview…”
CLICK “Lesson 1”
CLICK "Start Chalkboard" to begin this lesson.
Convenient Come-and-Go Format
This program is designed so that you may begin, then leave, and later return at your convenience to complete the program.
Earn Credit from the HUG Your Baby Course
HUG Your Baby is approved for 2 contact hours (or 0.2 CEUs) continuing education credits by:
• NC Nurses Association * Lamaze International * NAPNAP * DONA * ACNM
• ICEA, CAPPA, and other state nurses associations accept credit from the NC Nurses Association.
Purchase the HUG Your Baby Course ($25)
Go to www.hugyourbaby.com/
Click purple star: “Online Course”
CLICK “Create New Account”
CLICK "Registration Tab", complete demographic information. After completing demographic information, you will be asked for credit card information. THIS IS A SECURE SITE.
CLICK "My Courses" ‘
CLICK “HUG Your Baby” Course
CLICK “Lesson 1”
Print Documents for lesson 1
CLICK "Start Chalkboard" to begin this lesson.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)