The Duggars and VBAC's

Whether you like the Duggars or not the fact that she has given birth to 13 of their children via VBAC is quite impressive. She had c-sections with the twins which were the second pregnancy, the 15th and the latest at 25 weeks for preeclampsia.

Jim-Bob is quoted in this article advocating for women to have the choice to VBAC.


http://www.examiner.com/x-25349-Chicago-Family-Examiner~y2009m12d11-Michelle-and-Jim-Bob-Duggar-are-advocates-of-VBAC-option-for-patients

Cesarean Recovery

The following is an article with tips on recovering from a Cesarean Delivery. It's a great list. It would be nice if only 10-15% of women giving birth needed this list but as the c-section rate has reached 50% or more in some parts of the country I think it's a necessary evil. If you or someone you know has recently had a Cesarean Delivery this has very useful information.

http://www.birthactivist.com/2009/12/cesarean-recovery/

Considering Induction?

I discovered this doula through a doula message board that I frequent. I love her website! She has such wonderful, thorough, evidence-based information on her website. Following is the letter she wrote to clients considering elective inductions. It's awesome. If you or someone you know is considering induction because they are tired of being pregnant or are expecting a "large" baby check it out.

http://www.westsidedoula.com/preg-tool-box/induction/letter2you

Cesarean Suites?

Sounds like a hotel doesn't it? A hospital in Utah is basically trying to provide hotel treatment to C-section moms. I guess it's a nice thought if it didn't reek of greed. C-section mom's (as well as all post-partum mom's) lactation support and education about recovering from birth and how to care for their newborns not wi-fi and flat screens. Why don't mom's who are looking to have an unmedicated, spontaneous vaginal birth get 5 star treatment as well? Thoughts?

http://joyfulbirthservices.blogspot.com/2009/12/incentives-for-cesarean-delivery.html

Informed Consent for Epidurals

Here is a lot more information about epidurals and the potential side effects and reactions that can occur with them. While a lot of the really extreme things you will read about on here are rare they can happen so should be included in for true informed consent.


http://www.healing-arts.org/mehl-madrona/mmepidural.htm

Childbirth Education and Epidurals

The following is a link to an article about whether or not you should take a childbirth education class if you are planning to get an epidural. I know West Penn Allegheny Health System offers a class called Birthing With An Epidural. I observed it one time and I am not really sure what the point of it was. Magee also offers a Meet the Anesthesiologist Night but I'm not sure about a separate class about epidurals. This article explores the reasons to still take a class.

http://pregnancy.about.com/cs/epidurals/a/cbeepi.htm

You Tube Video About ICAN

ICAN (International Cesarean Awareness Network) is a wonderful organization that is dedicated to providing evidence based information to expectant mom's. I am thinking about starting a local ICAN chapter in the near future because I think the Pittsburgh Area would greatly benefit from it. They also have forums on their website where you can go and talk to other mom's about your experiences. This is a video that explains ICAN.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAkW7TDmPtY#watch-main-area