I'm going to step out here and place myself under fire.
My heart breaks for every parent out there that goes through the loss of a child. There is just nothing that compares. This is an experience that I can't just get over nor will I ever heal from it nor will I find peace or any of that. I do what I can to help others like me and I speak out against unsafe homebirth practices/practitioners.
Sometimes my heart aches when I read stories of loss, but I have nothing but contempt and disdain for the parents. Why? Because they continue on promoting the very practice that killed their child. If you are a part of the movement and encouraging other women to take the risks you chose to take, you do not deserve sympathy. I know when Dr Amy blamed a mother a few months ago, she wasn't doing it to be mean. She is doing it because she has seen how many of these people have lost children and she's baffled by those who don't seem to really care.
You have four types of homebirth loss moms:
1. Mom is in an echo chamber during conception and/or pregnancy. Baby dies preventable death and mom turns from the movement. These are the moms who really thought they were doing best for their baby and are pissed!
2. Mom spends conception and/or pregnancy in an echo chamber. Baby dies preventable death and mom decides to not do it again, but is still very supportive. These are usually the ones who are sad, but think it would of happened regardless.
3. Mom is deeply involved with the movement, baby dies preventable death. Mom doesn't care and continues on.
4. Baby has an actual defect that would of claimed it's life regardless. This one is rare!
In my book, if your baby dies and you are so deeply rooted that you don't change at all, you don't deserve sympathy. You are no more than a child killer. You took your baby's life and are fine with that. I can think of one mother that Amy went after with a vengence. As an angel mom, I felt sad for her loss, but I'm also angered that she just didn't care and continued on her path. I know I'm going to piss people off here. Some of these mothers, they do not deserve sympathy at all. These babies are no treated different by their parents than the ones thrown into the trash. It's disgusting. If we wonder how a mother can throw her infant in the garbage or a dumpster, we need look no further than the leaders who have buried their children.
On another note, I'm using a different commenting system, so it should be easier to comment on here.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
My sympathy has limits
I'm going to step out here and place myself under fire.
My heart breaks for every parent out there that goes through the loss of a child. There is just nothing that compares. This is an experience that I can't just get over nor will I ever heal from it nor will I find peace or any of that. I do what I can to help others like me and I speak out against unsafe homebirth practices/practitioners.
Sometimes my heart aches when I read stories of loss, but I have nothing but contempt and disdain for the parents. Why? Because they continue on promoting the very practice that killed their child. If you are a part of the movement and encouraging other women to take the risks you chose to take, you do not deserve sympathy. I know when Dr Amy blamed a mother a few months ago, she wasn't doing it to be mean. She is doing it because she has seen how many of these people have lost children and she's baffled by those who don't seem to really care.
You have four types of homebirth loss moms:
1. Mom is in an echo chamber during conception and/or pregnancy. Baby dies preventable death and mom turns from the movement. These are the moms who really thought they were doing best for their baby and are pissed!
2. Mom spends conception and/or pregnancy in an echo chamber. Baby dies preventable death and mom decides to not do it again, but is still very supportive. These are usually the ones who are sad, but think it would of happened regardless.
3. Mom is deeply involved with the movement, baby dies preventable death. Mom doesn't care and continues on.
4. Baby has an actual defect that would of claimed it's life regardless. This one is rare!
In my book, if your baby dies and you are so deeply rooted that you don't change at all, you don't deserve sympathy. You are no more than a child killer. You took your baby's life and are fine with that. I can think of one mother that Amy went after with a vengence. As an angel mom, I felt sad for her loss, but I'm also angered that she just didn't care and continued on her path. I know I'm going to piss people off here. Some of these mothers, they do not deserve sympathy at all. These babies are no treated different by their parents than the ones thrown into the trash. It's disgusting. If we wonder how a mother can throw her infant in the garbage or a dumpster, we need look no further than the leaders who have buried their children.
On another note, I'm using a different commenting system, so it should be easier to comment on here.
My heart breaks for every parent out there that goes through the loss of a child. There is just nothing that compares. This is an experience that I can't just get over nor will I ever heal from it nor will I find peace or any of that. I do what I can to help others like me and I speak out against unsafe homebirth practices/practitioners.
Sometimes my heart aches when I read stories of loss, but I have nothing but contempt and disdain for the parents. Why? Because they continue on promoting the very practice that killed their child. If you are a part of the movement and encouraging other women to take the risks you chose to take, you do not deserve sympathy. I know when Dr Amy blamed a mother a few months ago, she wasn't doing it to be mean. She is doing it because she has seen how many of these people have lost children and she's baffled by those who don't seem to really care.
You have four types of homebirth loss moms:
1. Mom is in an echo chamber during conception and/or pregnancy. Baby dies preventable death and mom turns from the movement. These are the moms who really thought they were doing best for their baby and are pissed!
2. Mom spends conception and/or pregnancy in an echo chamber. Baby dies preventable death and mom decides to not do it again, but is still very supportive. These are usually the ones who are sad, but think it would of happened regardless.
3. Mom is deeply involved with the movement, baby dies preventable death. Mom doesn't care and continues on.
4. Baby has an actual defect that would of claimed it's life regardless. This one is rare!
In my book, if your baby dies and you are so deeply rooted that you don't change at all, you don't deserve sympathy. You are no more than a child killer. You took your baby's life and are fine with that. I can think of one mother that Amy went after with a vengence. As an angel mom, I felt sad for her loss, but I'm also angered that she just didn't care and continued on her path. I know I'm going to piss people off here. Some of these mothers, they do not deserve sympathy at all. These babies are no treated different by their parents than the ones thrown into the trash. It's disgusting. If we wonder how a mother can throw her infant in the garbage or a dumpster, we need look no further than the leaders who have buried their children.
On another note, I'm using a different commenting system, so it should be easier to comment on here.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Janet Fraser To the woman at the shops with the weeping babe
http://janetfraser.id.au/blog/2011/08/28/to-the-woman-at-the-shops-with-the-weeping-babe/
Janet has written here a nice little piece about how this woman letting her baby cry in her pram or stroller must of had a bad birth experience!
Dear Janet,
You do not know the woman perusing at the shops with her baby. You do not know the child. Only a mother knows their child and it's cues. This infant that you feel so badly for could just be a fussy baby who hates to be worn. Perhaps this child was just tired and when it's tired, it doesn't want messed with and gets even more pissed! You have no clue! To think that a birth created a fussy baby and a mom who let it fuss is beyond ignorant. Maybe she's stuck at home day in and day out with a fussy baby and was ready to go absolutely insane. Again, you have no clue!
You, you have no baby to place in a sling on your body because YOU chose a birth experience over your baby and your daughter died because of it. You have publicly claimed that her death wasn't as bad as your c-section, aka birthrape (once you post something online, it never goes away). You have chosen to not connect with your living children because YOU placed such a high importance on the birth that when it turned differently than how you wanted, you turned from your child. You care so much about a crying baby and your empty sling, please imagine what your living children feel knowing you don't care about them because of their mode of delivery. Talk about a broken woman! You denied your connection, nobody or anything else did it for you!
I know you are clueless, but there is a reason testing is done. To help prevent deaths. Unlike you, most of us are not ok with dead babies. I'm glad to see you know about all the testing mom had done. How do you know she was induced?? Can a natural birthing mom not let her child fuss for a few minutes because she knows the child is content? Do epidural or induction or c-section moms not hold crying babies??
Birth is not the "keenest experience of our lives". Holding our baby for the first time is. Labor and birth aren't anything awesome to most women. Why? Because we know it's not important. Some of us, including you, have learned this lesson the hard way because we got dead babies out of it. Seriously, who the hell really thinks every woman wants to have a drug free birth anywhere?? 1 out of 10 women, that's it.
I wish that through this pain you may birth yourself and find the woman in you who seeks only that which nurtures, and casts aside in future, that which does you harm.
(Like not having an unassisted birth as they do harm and then you have nothing to nurture)
I wish that your next birth will be eye opening, life changing and that the first hands to touch your babe will beyours. a doctors!
Janet has written here a nice little piece about how this woman letting her baby cry in her pram or stroller must of had a bad birth experience!
Dear Janet,
You do not know the woman perusing at the shops with her baby. You do not know the child. Only a mother knows their child and it's cues. This infant that you feel so badly for could just be a fussy baby who hates to be worn. Perhaps this child was just tired and when it's tired, it doesn't want messed with and gets even more pissed! You have no clue! To think that a birth created a fussy baby and a mom who let it fuss is beyond ignorant. Maybe she's stuck at home day in and day out with a fussy baby and was ready to go absolutely insane. Again, you have no clue!
You, you have no baby to place in a sling on your body because YOU chose a birth experience over your baby and your daughter died because of it. You have publicly claimed that her death wasn't as bad as your c-section, aka birthrape (once you post something online, it never goes away). You have chosen to not connect with your living children because YOU placed such a high importance on the birth that when it turned differently than how you wanted, you turned from your child. You care so much about a crying baby and your empty sling, please imagine what your living children feel knowing you don't care about them because of their mode of delivery. Talk about a broken woman! You denied your connection, nobody or anything else did it for you!
I know you are clueless, but there is a reason testing is done. To help prevent deaths. Unlike you, most of us are not ok with dead babies. I'm glad to see you know about all the testing mom had done. How do you know she was induced?? Can a natural birthing mom not let her child fuss for a few minutes because she knows the child is content? Do epidural or induction or c-section moms not hold crying babies??
Birth is not the "keenest experience of our lives". Holding our baby for the first time is. Labor and birth aren't anything awesome to most women. Why? Because we know it's not important. Some of us, including you, have learned this lesson the hard way because we got dead babies out of it. Seriously, who the hell really thinks every woman wants to have a drug free birth anywhere?? 1 out of 10 women, that's it.
I wish that through this pain you may birth yourself and find the woman in you who seeks only that which nurtures, and casts aside in future, that which does you harm.
(Like not having an unassisted birth as they do harm and then you have nothing to nurture)
I wish that your next birth will be eye opening, life changing and that the first hands to touch your babe will be
Janet Fraser To the woman at the shops with the weeping babe
http://janetfraser.id.au/blog/2011/08/28/to-the-woman-at-the-shops-with-the-weeping-babe/
Janet has written here a nice little piece about how this woman letting her baby cry in her pram or stroller must of had a bad birth experience!
Dear Janet,
You do not know the woman perusing at the shops with her baby. You do not know the child. Only a mother knows their child and it's cues. This infant that you feel so badly for could just be a fussy baby who hates to be worn. Perhaps this child was just tired and when it's tired, it doesn't want messed with and gets even more pissed! You have no clue! To think that a birth created a fussy baby and a mom who let it fuss is beyond ignorant. Maybe she's stuck at home day in and day out with a fussy baby and was ready to go absolutely insane. Again, you have no clue!
You, you have no baby to place in a sling on your body because YOU chose a birth experience over your baby and your daughter died because of it. You have publicly claimed that her death wasn't as bad as your c-section, aka birthrape (once you post something online, it never goes away). You have chosen to not connect with your living children because YOU placed such a high importance on the birth that when it turned differently than how you wanted, you turned from your child. You care so much about a crying baby and your empty sling, please imagine what your living children feel knowing you don't care about them because of their mode of delivery. Talk about a broken woman! You denied your connection, nobody or anything else did it for you!
I know you are clueless, but there is a reason testing is done. To help prevent deaths. Unlike you, most of us are not ok with dead babies. I'm glad to see you know about all the testing mom had done. How do you know she was induced?? Can a natural birthing mom not let her child fuss for a few minutes because she knows the child is content? Do epidural or induction or c-section moms not hold crying babies??
Birth is not the "keenest experience of our lives". Holding our baby for the first time is. Labor and birth aren't anything awesome to most women. Why? Because we know it's not important. Some of us, including you, have learned this lesson the hard way because we got dead babies out of it. Seriously, who the hell really thinks every woman wants to have a drug free birth anywhere?? 1 out of 10 women, that's it.
I wish that through this pain you may birth yourself and find the woman in you who seeks only that which nurtures, and casts aside in future, that which does you harm.
(Like not having an unassisted birth as they do harm and then you have nothing to nurture)
I wish that your next birth will be eye opening, life changing and that the first hands to touch your babe will beyours. a doctors!
Janet has written here a nice little piece about how this woman letting her baby cry in her pram or stroller must of had a bad birth experience!
Dear Janet,
You do not know the woman perusing at the shops with her baby. You do not know the child. Only a mother knows their child and it's cues. This infant that you feel so badly for could just be a fussy baby who hates to be worn. Perhaps this child was just tired and when it's tired, it doesn't want messed with and gets even more pissed! You have no clue! To think that a birth created a fussy baby and a mom who let it fuss is beyond ignorant. Maybe she's stuck at home day in and day out with a fussy baby and was ready to go absolutely insane. Again, you have no clue!
You, you have no baby to place in a sling on your body because YOU chose a birth experience over your baby and your daughter died because of it. You have publicly claimed that her death wasn't as bad as your c-section, aka birthrape (once you post something online, it never goes away). You have chosen to not connect with your living children because YOU placed such a high importance on the birth that when it turned differently than how you wanted, you turned from your child. You care so much about a crying baby and your empty sling, please imagine what your living children feel knowing you don't care about them because of their mode of delivery. Talk about a broken woman! You denied your connection, nobody or anything else did it for you!
I know you are clueless, but there is a reason testing is done. To help prevent deaths. Unlike you, most of us are not ok with dead babies. I'm glad to see you know about all the testing mom had done. How do you know she was induced?? Can a natural birthing mom not let her child fuss for a few minutes because she knows the child is content? Do epidural or induction or c-section moms not hold crying babies??
Birth is not the "keenest experience of our lives". Holding our baby for the first time is. Labor and birth aren't anything awesome to most women. Why? Because we know it's not important. Some of us, including you, have learned this lesson the hard way because we got dead babies out of it. Seriously, who the hell really thinks every woman wants to have a drug free birth anywhere?? 1 out of 10 women, that's it.
I wish that through this pain you may birth yourself and find the woman in you who seeks only that which nurtures, and casts aside in future, that which does you harm.
(Like not having an unassisted birth as they do harm and then you have nothing to nurture)
I wish that your next birth will be eye opening, life changing and that the first hands to touch your babe will be
Monday, August 29, 2011
Speak up, you could save a life!
A stressed out parent yells at their child in the grocery store. Get involved? It could just be a parent having a rough day or it could be a parent that will beat that child when they get home.
You see children left alone in a car outside the store, motor running. Get involved? It could be a parent running in to the store real fast or it could be a parent neglecting their child(ren).
A child in your son/daughter's class has fresh bruises every few days. Get involved? It could be a child suffering from a medical condition or an abused child.
A friend is meticulous with her home and makes sure she has dinner on the table at the exact moment her husband walks in every day to make him happy. Get involved? She could take pride in taking care of her husband and home or she may be afraid of him.
You see your sister's husband out with another woman. Get involved? He could be using protection or he may be sleeping with a petri dish. This could cause your sister's death, but will surely cause her mental and emotional anguish.
You see your female friend out kissing another man. Get involved? Same as above. She may be using preotection or sleeping with a petri dish, but there will be emotional and mental anguish inflicted with a chance of death.
So, why don't people get involved with these situations?? Do people not care or are they really just concerned with themselves? Do they figure since they aren't personally affected, it doesn't matter to them?
This leads me to wonder why a parent refuses to speak out when a midwife causes the death of their child? I know it's hard to look at yourself and say "My choices did this". When you have a midwife there and rely upon her expertise, and she blows it, it's on her. So, why in the world is nobody holding her accountable? Why aren't people speaking out?? Until parents stand up and say "This is unacceptable. My baby should NOT of died", these parents will be responsible for the deaths of any other baby that occurs under this midwife's watch. Yes, I am blaming fellow parents of angels for the deaths of other babies!
I am fuming that my baby was NUMBER SIX. Number SIX. 5 other sets of parents could of done something or created anything online that I could of found when I tried looking up information about her. When I talked about how great she was on Mothering, someone could of PMed me and said "this bitch is dangerous". Nobody did though, did they?? Because people decided to stay quiet, I trusted this quack and my baby is dead because of it. Um, thanks.
It's funny that so many in the movement say "One bad midwife doesn't spoil the bunch". BUT you see, it does when that bunch pats the midwife on the back and ignores the grieving family and dead babies. If you don't want midwives to be seen in a bad light, maybe you should get up off your ass and stop the negligent ones from practicing. Stop giving a green light to practice to every idiot out there who doesn't want to spend some time and money going to real school. Show us that our babies actually matter to the movement. Do something. Until the environment changes, all these piece of shit midwives will be a target. How many more babies have died due to the allegiance these "parents" have pledged to their midwives??
Brenda is just one midwife. There is also Karen Carr and Amy Medwin and who knows who else out there like them. How many more babies have to die at the hands of people like them?? There's around 15 dead and brain damaged babies between these three. If you add in Faith Beltz, that's two more. Are that many dead babies acceptable?? If these were children being abused, would you still remain quiet??
.
Speak up, you could save a life!
A stressed out parent yells at their child in the grocery store. Get involved? It could just be a parent having a rough day or it could be a parent that will beat that child when they get home.
You see children left alone in a car outside the store, motor running. Get involved? It could be a parent running in to the store real fast or it could be a parent neglecting their child(ren).
A child in your son/daughter's class has fresh bruises every few days. Get involved? It could be a child suffering from a medical condition or an abused child.
A friend is meticulous with her home and makes sure she has dinner on the table at the exact moment her husband walks in every day to make him happy. Get involved? She could take pride in taking care of her husband and home or she may be afraid of him.
You see your sister's husband out with another woman. Get involved? He could be using protection or he may be sleeping with a petri dish. This could cause your sister's death, but will surely cause her mental and emotional anguish.
You see your female friend out kissing another man. Get involved? Same as above. She may be using preotection or sleeping with a petri dish, but there will be emotional and mental anguish inflicted with a chance of death.
So, why don't people get involved with these situations?? Do people not care or are they really just concerned with themselves? Do they figure since they aren't personally affected, it doesn't matter to them?
This leads me to wonder why a parent refuses to speak out when a midwife causes the death of their child? I know it's hard to look at yourself and say "My choices did this". When you have a midwife there and rely upon her expertise, and she blows it, it's on her. So, why in the world is nobody holding her accountable? Why aren't people speaking out?? Until parents stand up and say "This is unacceptable. My baby should NOT of died", these parents will be responsible for the deaths of any other baby that occurs under this midwife's watch. Yes, I am blaming fellow parents of angels for the deaths of other babies!
I am fuming that my baby was NUMBER SIX. Number SIX. 5 other sets of parents could of done something or created anything online that I could of found when I tried looking up information about her. When I talked about how great she was on Mothering, someone could of PMed me and said "this bitch is dangerous". Nobody did though, did they?? Because people decided to stay quiet, I trusted this quack and my baby is dead because of it. Um, thanks.
It's funny that so many in the movement say "One bad midwife doesn't spoil the bunch". BUT you see, it does when that bunch pats the midwife on the back and ignores the grieving family and dead babies. If you don't want midwives to be seen in a bad light, maybe you should get up off your ass and stop the negligent ones from practicing. Stop giving a green light to practice to every idiot out there who doesn't want to spend some time and money going to real school. Show us that our babies actually matter to the movement. Do something. Until the environment changes, all these piece of shit midwives will be a target. How many more babies have died due to the allegiance these "parents" have pledged to their midwives??
Brenda is just one midwife. There is also Karen Carr and Amy Medwin and who knows who else out there like them. How many more babies have to die at the hands of people like them?? There's around 15 dead and brain damaged babies between these three. If you add in Faith Beltz, that's two more. Are that many dead babies acceptable?? If these were children being abused, would you still remain quiet??
.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
God's Tiny Angels- Walk For The Angels
Every Mid-October my support group, God's Tiny Angels, has a Walk For The Angels.
It starts out as everyone just mingling. We usually have raffle baskets sitting on a table that we have put together. People can purchase tickets for the baskets and pick up their walk tee-shirts. There is a nice welcoming speech, prayer, a story, and a walk warm up. Then we pick up our banner and walk several miles through downtown Massillon. Normally, I think we have about 250 people. We arrive back to our starting point and then have a balloon release that consists of a poem being read (written by one of our members) and a song being played as we let our balloons go to the heavens. Even thinking about it gets my teary. It can be very emotional! Of course, after that, we get to eat and talk and raffle off baskets.
The money goes towards helping provide bereavement gifts (right now special ornaments and baby blankets) to the local hospitals. We also help pay for funerals and burial fees. We also have our monthly meetings.
My goal is $600. The reason behind this is because that was what my daughter's funeral cost.
Can you help me reach my goal???
God's Tiny Angels- Walk For The Angels
Every Mid-October my support group, God's Tiny Angels, has a Walk For The Angels.
It starts out as everyone just mingling. We usually have raffle baskets sitting on a table that we have put together. People can purchase tickets for the baskets and pick up their walk tee-shirts. There is a nice welcoming speech, prayer, a story, and a walk warm up. Then we pick up our banner and walk several miles through downtown Massillon. Normally, I think we have about 250 people. We arrive back to our starting point and then have a balloon release that consists of a poem being read (written by one of our members) and a song being played as we let our balloons go to the heavens. Even thinking about it gets my teary. It can be very emotional! Of course, after that, we get to eat and talk and raffle off baskets.
The money goes towards helping provide bereavement gifts (right now special ornaments and baby blankets) to the local hospitals. We also help pay for funerals and burial fees. We also have our monthly meetings.
My goal is $600. The reason behind this is because that was what my daughter's funeral cost.
Can you help me reach my goal???
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Patriotism in a mourning community- Added video
There are so many things I want to say here, but words are just impossible to find, so please bare with me while I ramble.
We live in a small, tight-knit community stuck smack dab between a few cities, so when major things happen, it spreads. A student has cancer? The community rallies behind the child and it's family. A family is down on their luck?? They are helped out. A student has heart problems?? The school raises money for the heart association. I truly could not pick a better place to live. So, two weeks ago, when a local soldier died, our community rallied behind the family. Even if you didn't know this soldier or his family, someone you know knows them.
So, last thursday, Sgt Patron was brought home, escorted by veterans, fellow soldiers, and law enforcement. The streets were lined as a motorcade wound it's way from the airport to the funeral home. A fire truck had it's ladder up with an american flag hanging from it in the funeral home parking lot. There were law enforcement from all over the area there too. It was a very somber event.
In Perry, most business signs were changed to reflect the loss of this soldier. Flags and yellow ribbons were up all over. Flags lined the street in front of the high school and their driveway. A makeshift memorial was set up at the veteran memorial at the high school. The scene was breathtaking, yet, sad, because we know why this was being done.
Saturday morning, the motorcade took Sgt Patron to the church for the funeral. I was honored to stand there and give my support in this way. The emotions were strong enough to take you down to your knees. Just two hours later, I stood with my husband (a veteran himself) and children as Sgt Patron was escorted to his final resting place. The atmosphere was somber. As this motorcycle hearse went past me for the second time, it was like the wind was knocked out of me. This man chose to risk his life for us, all of us. We explained to our children that this man was a hero and that was why he was given such a large farewell. There was not a dry eye as this procession wound it's way through Perry Twp. We always want our servicemembers home, but, not like this.
Thank you for your service, SGT. Your sacrifice and dedication will never be forgotten!
Patriotism in a mourning community- Added video
There are so many things I want to say here, but words are just impossible to find, so please bare with me while I ramble.
We live in a small, tight-knit community stuck smack dab between a few cities, so when major things happen, it spreads. A student has cancer? The community rallies behind the child and it's family. A family is down on their luck?? They are helped out. A student has heart problems?? The school raises money for the heart association. I truly could not pick a better place to live. So, two weeks ago, when a local soldier died, our community rallied behind the family. Even if you didn't know this soldier or his family, someone you know knows them.
So, last thursday, Sgt Patron was brought home, escorted by veterans, fellow soldiers, and law enforcement. The streets were lined as a motorcade wound it's way from the airport to the funeral home. A fire truck had it's ladder up with an american flag hanging from it in the funeral home parking lot. There were law enforcement from all over the area there too. It was a very somber event.
In Perry, most business signs were changed to reflect the loss of this soldier. Flags and yellow ribbons were up all over. Flags lined the street in front of the high school and their driveway. A makeshift memorial was set up at the veteran memorial at the high school. The scene was breathtaking, yet, sad, because we know why this was being done.
Saturday morning, the motorcade took Sgt Patron to the church for the funeral. I was honored to stand there and give my support in this way. The emotions were strong enough to take you down to your knees. Just two hours later, I stood with my husband (a veteran himself) and children as Sgt Patron was escorted to his final resting place. The atmosphere was somber. As this motorcycle hearse went past me for the second time, it was like the wind was knocked out of me. This man chose to risk his life for us, all of us. We explained to our children that this man was a hero and that was why he was given such a large farewell. There was not a dry eye as this procession wound it's way through Perry Twp. We always want our servicemembers home, but, not like this.
Thank you for your service, SGT. Your sacrifice and dedication will never be forgotten!
Mama Birth: Why The Natural Birth Community Must Not Ignore Her Critics
Mama Birth: Why The Natural Birth Community Must Not Ignore Her Critics
As a critic, I feel I need to address this post.
A. I would venture to guess that your critics have somehow been harmed by the NCB Movement in some way. Some of us end up with dead babies. Some end up depressed because they are repeatedly told their c-sections/inductions were unnecessary. Some moms try so hard to do everything natural and when that doesn't happen, they end up with PPD. Real women have been hurt. Again, I am going to use my friend, a grieving mom, who just told someone postdates increases the risk of stillbirth and that person ranted and raved about her for months, to the point of making all sorts of allegations about this mom (ie mental health status to death threats). When you are not in the NCB camp, you ARE mistreated. If those in the movement cannot handle the anger that some of us carry, perhaps they need to look at the role they have played in that anger. How have they added on to the pain these women are already feeling?? Me, I am angry and won't deny that. Why?? Browse through my comments. Watch various homebirth groups/boards. Any mother with a homebirth loss is blamed while advocates rally around the midwives causing these deaths. The mommy blame is thick and it infuriates me like nothing else! It's not bad enough that we will blame ourselves everyday, but advocates want to heap the blame on us until we are brought to our knees. If you really think our anger is somehow unsubstantiated, you may want to look around you!
B. Please remember that some of us were in your ranks at one point in time. Some women still go to the chiropracter, they just don't buy that they are good for anything more than helping with back pain. Some do believe in homebirth, just with midwives who have real educations and training. Some have nothing against natural birth aside from the sanctimonious attitudes most of these women have. I've had women brag to me and have that whole "high and mighty" attitude because they've had two drug free deliveries or they've had a homebirth. Welp, that opens the door for me to say- BTDT Sister and I'm not all that because I did it. It's not a reason to brag. Birth has been happening for however long the earth has existed, so it really is just a biological function. We know that labor and birth are more than just surges and it does hurt. When we see the posted videos, the women are not just "vocalizing", they are in pain. We do think you are risking lives by not vaccinating your children and science actually backs that up, Herbs are good. A good money-making ploy. We find unassisted birth to be foolhardy, at best.
C. We don't say we don't take issue with inductions or c-sections. We just don't view them as birth rape. I would rather a baby be born by c-section if there is a chance something is amiss during the labor than wait for the heart tones to be lost to prove genuine distress or danger or a dead baby. I've seen it said repeatedly that if baby was born healthy, a c-section wasn't needed. Really?? What happens when you wait?? Brain damage and/or death and maybe a healthy baby, maybe. Some of us also don't view c-section as worse than the death of a baby. You extrapolate risks so every woman that goes in there thinks she or her baby will die or be maimed. You get mad at us for stating risks, real scientific risks, when you do your best to scare the hell out of women about doctors and hospitals. They think if they walk in, the scalpel weilding doctor will do his best to gut her like a deer. That isn't remotely accurate. You tell women that inductions are unneccessary and the doctor will just use pitocin to stress baby out so they can gut her. I've seen BOBB and I know what it says and this MYTH is perpetuated by NCB Advocates! You get angry when anecdotal stories are pulled out, yet are the first to say YOUR anecdotes are fact.
D. I love seeing that you admit that we do speak the truth. We know how we come across and for some of us, it's a persona. Among those who actually know me, I can be serious, but I also love cutting up and having fun and joking around. Sometimes I let myself show through so you can see who that person is. When I post and I sound angry, it's generally because something has been said or done that has really ticked me off. I refuse to coddle a bunch of whiny and weak women.
E. You talk about birth in the old days and how joyous women would walk in holding their babies while others laid in bed wistful of the experiencing they were just robbed of and that right there shows where you are trying to go with this. You want natural birth to be revered all over and to "triumph" because YOU think it's right. We, see nothing wonderful about birth and don't hold it up on a pedestool or have it as an idol. Birth is just birth, a way to get baby out. How a woman gives birth really has no bearing on anything, unless you continuously tell her how she was birth raped or had an unnecesarean or why she should be miserable or how she screwed up. Depression WILL impact the very early parenting days or months. When your kid is a teenager, they are going to be like every other teenager out there and you'll be ready to scream some days like every other parent of a teen. No teacher can tell if you gave your kid a natural birth or if they were a c-section baby or if they were breastfed or if they were formula fed.
What's more important, the wedding of your dreams or the perfect marriage?? If all you are worried about is the perfect wedding and do no prepwork or planning for the marriage, you are screwed. If you plan for the marriage and do all the prepwork and end up at the justice of the peace for a little wedding, you're golden!
.
Mama Birth: Why The Natural Birth Community Must Not Ignore Her Critics
Mama Birth: Why The Natural Birth Community Must Not Ignore Her Critics
As a critic, I feel I need to address this post.
A. I would venture to guess that your critics have somehow been harmed by the NCB Movement in some way. Some of us end up with dead babies. Some end up depressed because they are repeatedly told their c-sections/inductions were unnecessary. Some moms try so hard to do everything natural and when that doesn't happen, they end up with PPD. Real women have been hurt. Again, I am going to use my friend, a grieving mom, who just told someone postdates increases the risk of stillbirth and that person ranted and raved about her for months, to the point of making all sorts of allegations about this mom (ie mental health status to death threats). When you are not in the NCB camp, you ARE mistreated. If those in the movement cannot handle the anger that some of us carry, perhaps they need to look at the role they have played in that anger. How have they added on to the pain these women are already feeling?? Me, I am angry and won't deny that. Why?? Browse through my comments. Watch various homebirth groups/boards. Any mother with a homebirth loss is blamed while advocates rally around the midwives causing these deaths. The mommy blame is thick and it infuriates me like nothing else! It's not bad enough that we will blame ourselves everyday, but advocates want to heap the blame on us until we are brought to our knees. If you really think our anger is somehow unsubstantiated, you may want to look around you!
B. Please remember that some of us were in your ranks at one point in time. Some women still go to the chiropracter, they just don't buy that they are good for anything more than helping with back pain. Some do believe in homebirth, just with midwives who have real educations and training. Some have nothing against natural birth aside from the sanctimonious attitudes most of these women have. I've had women brag to me and have that whole "high and mighty" attitude because they've had two drug free deliveries or they've had a homebirth. Welp, that opens the door for me to say- BTDT Sister and I'm not all that because I did it. It's not a reason to brag. Birth has been happening for however long the earth has existed, so it really is just a biological function. We know that labor and birth are more than just surges and it does hurt. When we see the posted videos, the women are not just "vocalizing", they are in pain. We do think you are risking lives by not vaccinating your children and science actually backs that up, Herbs are good. A good money-making ploy. We find unassisted birth to be foolhardy, at best.
C. We don't say we don't take issue with inductions or c-sections. We just don't view them as birth rape. I would rather a baby be born by c-section if there is a chance something is amiss during the labor than wait for the heart tones to be lost to prove genuine distress or danger or a dead baby. I've seen it said repeatedly that if baby was born healthy, a c-section wasn't needed. Really?? What happens when you wait?? Brain damage and/or death and maybe a healthy baby, maybe. Some of us also don't view c-section as worse than the death of a baby. You extrapolate risks so every woman that goes in there thinks she or her baby will die or be maimed. You get mad at us for stating risks, real scientific risks, when you do your best to scare the hell out of women about doctors and hospitals. They think if they walk in, the scalpel weilding doctor will do his best to gut her like a deer. That isn't remotely accurate. You tell women that inductions are unneccessary and the doctor will just use pitocin to stress baby out so they can gut her. I've seen BOBB and I know what it says and this MYTH is perpetuated by NCB Advocates! You get angry when anecdotal stories are pulled out, yet are the first to say YOUR anecdotes are fact.
D. I love seeing that you admit that we do speak the truth. We know how we come across and for some of us, it's a persona. Among those who actually know me, I can be serious, but I also love cutting up and having fun and joking around. Sometimes I let myself show through so you can see who that person is. When I post and I sound angry, it's generally because something has been said or done that has really ticked me off. I refuse to coddle a bunch of whiny and weak women.
E. You talk about birth in the old days and how joyous women would walk in holding their babies while others laid in bed wistful of the experiencing they were just robbed of and that right there shows where you are trying to go with this. You want natural birth to be revered all over and to "triumph" because YOU think it's right. We, see nothing wonderful about birth and don't hold it up on a pedestool or have it as an idol. Birth is just birth, a way to get baby out. How a woman gives birth really has no bearing on anything, unless you continuously tell her how she was birth raped or had an unnecesarean or why she should be miserable or how she screwed up. Depression WILL impact the very early parenting days or months. When your kid is a teenager, they are going to be like every other teenager out there and you'll be ready to scream some days like every other parent of a teen. No teacher can tell if you gave your kid a natural birth or if they were a c-section baby or if they were breastfed or if they were formula fed.
What's more important, the wedding of your dreams or the perfect marriage?? If all you are worried about is the perfect wedding and do no prepwork or planning for the marriage, you are screwed. If you plan for the marriage and do all the prepwork and end up at the justice of the peace for a little wedding, you're golden!
.
Amber Plyler- Paying For Perfection
Guest post from Amber P, or Midwife{ology}. << You know you wanna click the link!!
As I began the transition from pursing midwifery as a Certified Professional Midwife to a Certified Nurse Midwife, I anticipated many of my friends would not agree with me regarding my new stance and would perhaps not quite understand why I was choosing a different path. However, there is no way I could have anticipated the fury that would be unleashed when the announcement of my new path was given.
Paying for Perfection
As I began the transition from pursing midwifery as a Certified Professional Midwife to a Certified Nurse Midwife, I anticipated many of my friends would not agree with me regarding my new stance and would perhaps not quite understand why I was choosing a different path. However, there is no way I could have anticipated the fury that would be unleashed when the announcement of my new path was given.
Instead of my friends finding out through hear-say, or through things they see on Facebook or on my blog, I decided to make a blog post devoted to announcing my new path. I felt this would be best so that I would not have to explain my decision to everyone individually, and instead, I could direct them to my blog and they could read my innermost thoughts and feelings on this change. Slowly, one by one, my friends read my blog and commented both there and on Facebook. Some were supportive and encouraged me in my new journey, and many were very excited to see that I had changed my path and realized some of the things I had once thought were true and good, really were not. Unfortunately, many were not in agreement with me and there were several who were outraged.
Another massive uproar happened when I joined a Facebook group entitled “Fed Up With Natural Childbirth”. The group was actually created by Dr Amy of “The Skeptical OB” blog, and is basically devoted to dispelling the myths of what I refer to as the Natural Childbirth Movement (NCB Movement). Many are turned off by Dr. Amy because of her straightforward speech and curt, sometimes callous attitude. I will admit, Dr. Amy seems overly harsh sometimes to mother’s who have lost their babies due to negligent CPMs/homebirth. I feel like she tends to place much, if not most, of the blame on the parent’s for choosing that particular care provider and/or homebirth. She also seems very anti-homebirth, even with a care provider who is competent such as a CNM. Like most anything, you must weed the bad out while focusing on the good. Dr. Amy makes very valid points and gives wonderful, science based information and facts. While she does tend to be harsh sometimes, I firmly believe she has the best interest of mother’s, babies, and safe childbirth at heart. The group “Fed Up With Natural Childbirth” is not at all about hating normal, natural childbirth! It is simply a group of women that agree you don’t have to cloth diaper, homeschool, have a medication-free birth, have a vaginal delivery or even breastfeed to be a great mom! We also believe you can have an epidural, birth at a hospital, or even have a cesarean section and still be a wonderful, loving mother! What we don’t like about the NCB movement/community is that so often women are put down and cast out simply because they gave birth somewhere other than their home, or had an epidural or IV pain medication, or even needed a cesarean section. Many NCB advocates seem to think that any mother who had any of these interventions is somehow less of a mother or isn’t a “birth warrior”. “Fed Up With Natural Childbirth” is a place where women who don’t fit the mold of the NCB movement can come and feel supported in their choices and in their experiences. The main goal of the group, is to dispel the myths that so many NCB advocates, doulas, traditional midwives (CPMS and DEMs), and others spread. So many lies are being told and it is ultimately killing mothers and babies. Quite a few women in the group have lost babies to negligent homebirth midwives and now rally against them and for the cause of safer maternity care for all women. The name is misleading unfortunately, as many of the members have had natural hospital births, and some homebirths! Sadly however, several of my friends could not get past the fact that I had joined a group entitled “Fed Up With Natural Childbirth”, no matter how much I tried to explain to them that they needed to look past the name and look at what the group is really about.
Another issue that many of my friends disagreed with me over is my stance on traditional midwives (CPMs and DEMs). I’m a firm believer that traditional midwives need much more education, mandatory licensing, a nationwide set of practice standards, must be required to carry malpractice insurance, and have strict penalties for not adhering to these regulations. I also believe if a midwife practices without any of the above requirements there should be strict penalties including fines, loss of license, and prohibition of practice. If these requirements are not satisfied, I do not think traditional midwives should be legal. There simply must be a nation-wide standard each and every midwife must conform to. Unfortunately, many of my friends did not agree. They felt as if this would infringe upon the rights of a woman to choose where and with whom she gives birth. I believe in a woman’s choice as well, however we must make the choices safe, and as it stands now, birth with a traditional midwife is not safe. I typically do not like to make blanket judgments or statements, but in this case, it is something that must be done since there is no real way to judge the good apples from the bad apples when it comes to midwifery. I have many friends who choose to birth with a traditional midwife at either home or a birth center, and they were deeply offended by my feelings on traditional midwives even though I try my hardest to not be offensive and strictly speak fact. Even though I don’t agree with their choice in care provider, I respect their feelings and decisions, and I wish I could say they did the same for me.
Ultimately, my decision changed quite a few friendships. After many arguments and disagreements, after being called many names and being accused of just trying to be better than everyone, being told I was just a midwife hater and homebirth hater, and after being told I simply go with whatever choice gets me the most attention - I lost 29 friends from my Facebook friend’s list. Many of those were simply acquaintances, some were great friends, and a few of them were people very near and dear to my heart that I never expected to turn on me like they did. I’ve been called names, told I was wishy-washy, told I was acting like a defensive child, and talked about openly on message boards and other Facebook pages. I was even told by one that I was no longer welcome to our local playgroup because of the thoughts I had shared. I did expect some backlash when all of my feelings came to light, but I could have never prepared myself for the hateful words I received.
The way I was treated by so many reminded me of the way many NCB advocates treat mothers who do not fit into their perfect mold or mesh with all of their ideologies. I define the advocates in the NCB movement to be those who feel any woman who doesn’t birth at home, has pain medication or an epidural, is induced, has a cesarean section to be inferior, or somehow less of a woman. I personally have had an induction due to HELLP Syndrome, an epidural, and ultimately a cesarean, as well as an induction due to preeclampsia, no epidural but one dose of Nubain, and a VBAC. I was ostracized by several because I called my VBAC a “natural birth”. For me, I simply meant vaginal, but was called out numerous times and belittled for allowing them to induce me even though it was medically necessary, and attempts were made to make me feel like less of a woman for having a dose of pain medication to help me cope around 8cm. I caught flak from others because I gave my son the “evil” Vitamin K injection because he had a severe cephalahematoma due to birth trauma. I have sat back and watched women hen-peck others on Facebook groups and message boards because they had cesarean sections, or decided to have pain medication, had continuous fetal monitoring during labor, had their membranes ruptured artificially, or decided to have their baby receive the Vitamin K injection or Hepatitis B injection at birth. The NCB community seeks out women to prey upon and criticize in order to make themselves look and feel better and seem superior to another. There is simply no need for all of the hateful words, looks of disgust, and shameful glances given to mothers just because of the way their precious baby came into this world, and there is absolutely no need for the hateful words I received simply because I chose a path where I can serve a large number of women and their precious babies safely and fight against a broken system that is continuously allowing traditional midwives to kill innocent babies.
Ultimately, I have learned so much during this transitional point in my life. I have learned much more about myself over the past few months than I have in the past few years! My goals and ideas are growing stronger day by day and my realization of how broken our maternity system is becoming clearer. Just as the NCB advocates forsake those who do not fit their perfect birth or motherhood mold, many of my friends have forsaken me due to the fact that I am seeking to better myself and better our nation’s maternity system so that more women have access so safe, competent, and personal maternity care. At first, it bothered me that so many seemed to truly hate me for my choices. However, I stepped back and allowed myself to think with my heart instead of my head and realized that as long as I know I’m making the right choices and trying to better myself, that is all that matters. Along the way, I have realized that I do have some amazing friends who have stuck by me through this change – even one’s who do not agree with me, but respect me just as I respect them! I have also found a great circle of women who are all fighting for the same thing I am. I intend to continue growing, learning, and discovering more about myself. I hope to be a key component in either abolishing the title of CPM/DEM, or making it so that they are more on par with the CNM credential so that no more mothers and babies have to suffer at the hand of a negligent traditional midwife.
Amber Plyler- Paying For Perfection
Guest post from Amber P, or Midwife{ology}. << You know you wanna click the link!!
As I began the transition from pursing midwifery as a Certified Professional Midwife to a Certified Nurse Midwife, I anticipated many of my friends would not agree with me regarding my new stance and would perhaps not quite understand why I was choosing a different path. However, there is no way I could have anticipated the fury that would be unleashed when the announcement of my new path was given.
Paying for Perfection
As I began the transition from pursing midwifery as a Certified Professional Midwife to a Certified Nurse Midwife, I anticipated many of my friends would not agree with me regarding my new stance and would perhaps not quite understand why I was choosing a different path. However, there is no way I could have anticipated the fury that would be unleashed when the announcement of my new path was given.
Instead of my friends finding out through hear-say, or through things they see on Facebook or on my blog, I decided to make a blog post devoted to announcing my new path. I felt this would be best so that I would not have to explain my decision to everyone individually, and instead, I could direct them to my blog and they could read my innermost thoughts and feelings on this change. Slowly, one by one, my friends read my blog and commented both there and on Facebook. Some were supportive and encouraged me in my new journey, and many were very excited to see that I had changed my path and realized some of the things I had once thought were true and good, really were not. Unfortunately, many were not in agreement with me and there were several who were outraged.
Another massive uproar happened when I joined a Facebook group entitled “Fed Up With Natural Childbirth”. The group was actually created by Dr Amy of “The Skeptical OB” blog, and is basically devoted to dispelling the myths of what I refer to as the Natural Childbirth Movement (NCB Movement). Many are turned off by Dr. Amy because of her straightforward speech and curt, sometimes callous attitude. I will admit, Dr. Amy seems overly harsh sometimes to mother’s who have lost their babies due to negligent CPMs/homebirth. I feel like she tends to place much, if not most, of the blame on the parent’s for choosing that particular care provider and/or homebirth. She also seems very anti-homebirth, even with a care provider who is competent such as a CNM. Like most anything, you must weed the bad out while focusing on the good. Dr. Amy makes very valid points and gives wonderful, science based information and facts. While she does tend to be harsh sometimes, I firmly believe she has the best interest of mother’s, babies, and safe childbirth at heart. The group “Fed Up With Natural Childbirth” is not at all about hating normal, natural childbirth! It is simply a group of women that agree you don’t have to cloth diaper, homeschool, have a medication-free birth, have a vaginal delivery or even breastfeed to be a great mom! We also believe you can have an epidural, birth at a hospital, or even have a cesarean section and still be a wonderful, loving mother! What we don’t like about the NCB movement/community is that so often women are put down and cast out simply because they gave birth somewhere other than their home, or had an epidural or IV pain medication, or even needed a cesarean section. Many NCB advocates seem to think that any mother who had any of these interventions is somehow less of a mother or isn’t a “birth warrior”. “Fed Up With Natural Childbirth” is a place where women who don’t fit the mold of the NCB movement can come and feel supported in their choices and in their experiences. The main goal of the group, is to dispel the myths that so many NCB advocates, doulas, traditional midwives (CPMS and DEMs), and others spread. So many lies are being told and it is ultimately killing mothers and babies. Quite a few women in the group have lost babies to negligent homebirth midwives and now rally against them and for the cause of safer maternity care for all women. The name is misleading unfortunately, as many of the members have had natural hospital births, and some homebirths! Sadly however, several of my friends could not get past the fact that I had joined a group entitled “Fed Up With Natural Childbirth”, no matter how much I tried to explain to them that they needed to look past the name and look at what the group is really about.
Another issue that many of my friends disagreed with me over is my stance on traditional midwives (CPMs and DEMs). I’m a firm believer that traditional midwives need much more education, mandatory licensing, a nationwide set of practice standards, must be required to carry malpractice insurance, and have strict penalties for not adhering to these regulations. I also believe if a midwife practices without any of the above requirements there should be strict penalties including fines, loss of license, and prohibition of practice. If these requirements are not satisfied, I do not think traditional midwives should be legal. There simply must be a nation-wide standard each and every midwife must conform to. Unfortunately, many of my friends did not agree. They felt as if this would infringe upon the rights of a woman to choose where and with whom she gives birth. I believe in a woman’s choice as well, however we must make the choices safe, and as it stands now, birth with a traditional midwife is not safe. I typically do not like to make blanket judgments or statements, but in this case, it is something that must be done since there is no real way to judge the good apples from the bad apples when it comes to midwifery. I have many friends who choose to birth with a traditional midwife at either home or a birth center, and they were deeply offended by my feelings on traditional midwives even though I try my hardest to not be offensive and strictly speak fact. Even though I don’t agree with their choice in care provider, I respect their feelings and decisions, and I wish I could say they did the same for me.
Ultimately, my decision changed quite a few friendships. After many arguments and disagreements, after being called many names and being accused of just trying to be better than everyone, being told I was just a midwife hater and homebirth hater, and after being told I simply go with whatever choice gets me the most attention - I lost 29 friends from my Facebook friend’s list. Many of those were simply acquaintances, some were great friends, and a few of them were people very near and dear to my heart that I never expected to turn on me like they did. I’ve been called names, told I was wishy-washy, told I was acting like a defensive child, and talked about openly on message boards and other Facebook pages. I was even told by one that I was no longer welcome to our local playgroup because of the thoughts I had shared. I did expect some backlash when all of my feelings came to light, but I could have never prepared myself for the hateful words I received.
The way I was treated by so many reminded me of the way many NCB advocates treat mothers who do not fit into their perfect mold or mesh with all of their ideologies. I define the advocates in the NCB movement to be those who feel any woman who doesn’t birth at home, has pain medication or an epidural, is induced, has a cesarean section to be inferior, or somehow less of a woman. I personally have had an induction due to HELLP Syndrome, an epidural, and ultimately a cesarean, as well as an induction due to preeclampsia, no epidural but one dose of Nubain, and a VBAC. I was ostracized by several because I called my VBAC a “natural birth”. For me, I simply meant vaginal, but was called out numerous times and belittled for allowing them to induce me even though it was medically necessary, and attempts were made to make me feel like less of a woman for having a dose of pain medication to help me cope around 8cm. I caught flak from others because I gave my son the “evil” Vitamin K injection because he had a severe cephalahematoma due to birth trauma. I have sat back and watched women hen-peck others on Facebook groups and message boards because they had cesarean sections, or decided to have pain medication, had continuous fetal monitoring during labor, had their membranes ruptured artificially, or decided to have their baby receive the Vitamin K injection or Hepatitis B injection at birth. The NCB community seeks out women to prey upon and criticize in order to make themselves look and feel better and seem superior to another. There is simply no need for all of the hateful words, looks of disgust, and shameful glances given to mothers just because of the way their precious baby came into this world, and there is absolutely no need for the hateful words I received simply because I chose a path where I can serve a large number of women and their precious babies safely and fight against a broken system that is continuously allowing traditional midwives to kill innocent babies.
Ultimately, I have learned so much during this transitional point in my life. I have learned much more about myself over the past few months than I have in the past few years! My goals and ideas are growing stronger day by day and my realization of how broken our maternity system is becoming clearer. Just as the NCB advocates forsake those who do not fit their perfect birth or motherhood mold, many of my friends have forsaken me due to the fact that I am seeking to better myself and better our nation’s maternity system so that more women have access so safe, competent, and personal maternity care. At first, it bothered me that so many seemed to truly hate me for my choices. However, I stepped back and allowed myself to think with my heart instead of my head and realized that as long as I know I’m making the right choices and trying to better myself, that is all that matters. Along the way, I have realized that I do have some amazing friends who have stuck by me through this change – even one’s who do not agree with me, but respect me just as I respect them! I have also found a great circle of women who are all fighting for the same thing I am. I intend to continue growing, learning, and discovering more about myself. I hope to be a key component in either abolishing the title of CPM/DEM, or making it so that they are more on par with the CNM credential so that no more mothers and babies have to suffer at the hand of a negligent traditional midwife.
Friday, August 12, 2011
The Fed Up Group
I've seen the assumptions made about the group, so I am going to take the time to address the assumptions here.
A. We hate Natural Birth- No, we hate seeing the lies about it (ie it's not painful, you'll bond better, better chance at breastfeeding, etc). We hate seeing moms guilted into doing it. We hate seeing mothers berated and treated badly for not doing it. How many of these moms are going in there expecting orgasms and no pain only to find out that it freaking hurts and either playing the lines in their head or caving and feeling horrible afterwards. I believe this is a recipe for PPD!! Women are being set up and I don't think it's right at all. Many of us on that board have had unmedicated births, some of us have had homebirths (with a few deaths and transfers and brain injuries thrown in there). So, aside from the group name, you don't see us bashing natural birth itself.
B. Being in a group where natural birth isn't on a pedestool must mean everyone adheres to the "mainstream" lifestyle. BWAHAHAHAHAHA Ok, let me compose myself now! Not thinking natural childbirth or homebirth are the end all, be all of parenting doesn't mean a few "crunchy" things aren't done by members. Actually, I don't think we have any anti-vaxers and if we did, they don't speak of it because we do believe in vaccines! So, we have women who breastfeed and are not militant about it. We're just like "Yep, I breastfeed/have breastfed, no biggie". We have women who babywear and some do it just for the convenience factor! We have moms who homeschool. There are cloth diapering moms and boy can they trigger an ex-cloth diaperer! Sometimes I miss those cute, fluffy little butts just not the laundry! We can have knock down drag out arguments over circumcision (which I won't touch).
C. Ladies are mean. Ok, maybe that can be fairly accurate depending upon what you see discussed! There are also times where we joke around and laugh and just have fun. Like we laugh about how some of these mommy bloggers say "I'm taking a break", only to have the attention whore back in a few days when all the groveling and falling over themselves members have stopped. We get mad knowing that a blogger and her followers tamper with store products in order to promote their anti-circumcision agenda or give mothers thank you for breastfeeding business cards placed right in front of formula cans. Why they don't stick to blogging is beyond me!
If you really look and pay attention, you'll see a group of women that really cares about eachother and we care about the messages being given to other moms. We see parenting decisions as just that, a decision that doesn't make anyone more superior than another. we hate seeing women harmed by buying into the whole natural birth movement or the CPM's are educated crap. What was the old saying about not judging a book by it's cover?? Take the time to get to know people and learn about where we stand before deciding that the group name conveys the message we send, you just might be surprised!! After all, several of those bloggers we discuss has a completely opposite message than their name implies.
A. We hate Natural Birth- No, we hate seeing the lies about it (ie it's not painful, you'll bond better, better chance at breastfeeding, etc). We hate seeing moms guilted into doing it. We hate seeing mothers berated and treated badly for not doing it. How many of these moms are going in there expecting orgasms and no pain only to find out that it freaking hurts and either playing the lines in their head or caving and feeling horrible afterwards. I believe this is a recipe for PPD!! Women are being set up and I don't think it's right at all. Many of us on that board have had unmedicated births, some of us have had homebirths (with a few deaths and transfers and brain injuries thrown in there). So, aside from the group name, you don't see us bashing natural birth itself.
B. Being in a group where natural birth isn't on a pedestool must mean everyone adheres to the "mainstream" lifestyle. BWAHAHAHAHAHA Ok, let me compose myself now! Not thinking natural childbirth or homebirth are the end all, be all of parenting doesn't mean a few "crunchy" things aren't done by members. Actually, I don't think we have any anti-vaxers and if we did, they don't speak of it because we do believe in vaccines! So, we have women who breastfeed and are not militant about it. We're just like "Yep, I breastfeed/have breastfed, no biggie". We have women who babywear and some do it just for the convenience factor! We have moms who homeschool. There are cloth diapering moms and boy can they trigger an ex-cloth diaperer! Sometimes I miss those cute, fluffy little butts just not the laundry! We can have knock down drag out arguments over circumcision (which I won't touch).
C. Ladies are mean. Ok, maybe that can be fairly accurate depending upon what you see discussed! There are also times where we joke around and laugh and just have fun. Like we laugh about how some of these mommy bloggers say "I'm taking a break", only to have the attention whore back in a few days when all the groveling and falling over themselves members have stopped. We get mad knowing that a blogger and her followers tamper with store products in order to promote their anti-circumcision agenda or give mothers thank you for breastfeeding business cards placed right in front of formula cans. Why they don't stick to blogging is beyond me!
If you really look and pay attention, you'll see a group of women that really cares about eachother and we care about the messages being given to other moms. We see parenting decisions as just that, a decision that doesn't make anyone more superior than another. we hate seeing women harmed by buying into the whole natural birth movement or the CPM's are educated crap. What was the old saying about not judging a book by it's cover?? Take the time to get to know people and learn about where we stand before deciding that the group name conveys the message we send, you just might be surprised!! After all, several of those bloggers we discuss has a completely opposite message than their name implies.
The Fed Up Group
I've seen the assumptions made about the group, so I am going to take the time to address the assumptions here.
A. We hate Natural Birth- No, we hate seeing the lies about it (ie it's not painful, you'll bond better, better chance at breastfeeding, etc). We hate seeing moms guilted into doing it. We hate seeing mothers berated and treated badly for not doing it. How many of these moms are going in there expecting orgasms and no pain only to find out that it freaking hurts and either playing the lines in their head or caving and feeling horrible afterwards. I believe this is a recipe for PPD!! Women are being set up and I don't think it's right at all. Many of us on that board have had unmedicated births, some of us have had homebirths (with a few deaths and transfers and brain injuries thrown in there). So, aside from the group name, you don't see us bashing natural birth itself.
B. Being in a group where natural birth isn't on a pedestool must mean everyone adheres to the "mainstream" lifestyle. BWAHAHAHAHAHA Ok, let me compose myself now! Not thinking natural childbirth or homebirth are the end all, be all of parenting doesn't mean a few "crunchy" things aren't done by members. Actually, I don't think we have any anti-vaxers and if we did, they don't speak of it because we do believe in vaccines! So, we have women who breastfeed and are not militant about it. We're just like "Yep, I breastfeed/have breastfed, no biggie". We have women who babywear and some do it just for the convenience factor! We have moms who homeschool. There are cloth diapering moms and boy can they trigger an ex-cloth diaperer! Sometimes I miss those cute, fluffy little butts just not the laundry! We can have knock down drag out arguments over circumcision (which I won't touch).
C. Ladies are mean. Ok, maybe that can be fairly accurate depending upon what you see discussed! There are also times where we joke around and laugh and just have fun. Like we laugh about how some of these mommy bloggers say "I'm taking a break", only to have the attention whore back in a few days when all the groveling and falling over themselves members have stopped. We get mad knowing that a blogger and her followers tamper with store products in order to promote their anti-circumcision agenda or give mothers thank you for breastfeeding business cards placed right in front of formula cans. Why they don't stick to blogging is beyond me!
If you really look and pay attention, you'll see a group of women that really cares about eachother and we care about the messages being given to other moms. We see parenting decisions as just that, a decision that doesn't make anyone more superior than another. we hate seeing women harmed by buying into the whole natural birth movement or the CPM's are educated crap. What was the old saying about not judging a book by it's cover?? Take the time to get to know people and learn about where we stand before deciding that the group name conveys the message we send, you just might be surprised!! After all, several of those bloggers we discuss has a completely opposite message than their name implies.
A. We hate Natural Birth- No, we hate seeing the lies about it (ie it's not painful, you'll bond better, better chance at breastfeeding, etc). We hate seeing moms guilted into doing it. We hate seeing mothers berated and treated badly for not doing it. How many of these moms are going in there expecting orgasms and no pain only to find out that it freaking hurts and either playing the lines in their head or caving and feeling horrible afterwards. I believe this is a recipe for PPD!! Women are being set up and I don't think it's right at all. Many of us on that board have had unmedicated births, some of us have had homebirths (with a few deaths and transfers and brain injuries thrown in there). So, aside from the group name, you don't see us bashing natural birth itself.
B. Being in a group where natural birth isn't on a pedestool must mean everyone adheres to the "mainstream" lifestyle. BWAHAHAHAHAHA Ok, let me compose myself now! Not thinking natural childbirth or homebirth are the end all, be all of parenting doesn't mean a few "crunchy" things aren't done by members. Actually, I don't think we have any anti-vaxers and if we did, they don't speak of it because we do believe in vaccines! So, we have women who breastfeed and are not militant about it. We're just like "Yep, I breastfeed/have breastfed, no biggie". We have women who babywear and some do it just for the convenience factor! We have moms who homeschool. There are cloth diapering moms and boy can they trigger an ex-cloth diaperer! Sometimes I miss those cute, fluffy little butts just not the laundry! We can have knock down drag out arguments over circumcision (which I won't touch).
C. Ladies are mean. Ok, maybe that can be fairly accurate depending upon what you see discussed! There are also times where we joke around and laugh and just have fun. Like we laugh about how some of these mommy bloggers say "I'm taking a break", only to have the attention whore back in a few days when all the groveling and falling over themselves members have stopped. We get mad knowing that a blogger and her followers tamper with store products in order to promote their anti-circumcision agenda or give mothers thank you for breastfeeding business cards placed right in front of formula cans. Why they don't stick to blogging is beyond me!
If you really look and pay attention, you'll see a group of women that really cares about eachother and we care about the messages being given to other moms. We see parenting decisions as just that, a decision that doesn't make anyone more superior than another. we hate seeing women harmed by buying into the whole natural birth movement or the CPM's are educated crap. What was the old saying about not judging a book by it's cover?? Take the time to get to know people and learn about where we stand before deciding that the group name conveys the message we send, you just might be surprised!! After all, several of those bloggers we discuss has a completely opposite message than their name implies.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Mad Props!
Right now (as I'm sitting in my room supposed to be cleaning), I'm overwhelmed at the tides that are turning in the midwifery world. Midwives are speaking out about the state of homebirth and the midwifery world. So, I'm going to take the time to send out some props to some wonderful women who are promoting safety and truly care about mothers and their babies!
#1- Miss Amber Plyler. Amber was a student midwife working on her CPM. She has changed her path and is now working on her CNM. I have seen the transformation in her and am so incredibly proud of the person I am seeing emerge. She is truly knowledgeable and will be one hell of an asset to the midwifery community. I'm happy to have her as a friend!
#2- Deb O'Connell from Carrboro Midwifery. I think it was back when Amy Medwin was arrested and I saw Deb on various sites discussing the arrest and why Medwin shouldn't of been practicing and thought to myself, "Damn, she is awesome". Sure enough, we got in contact with one another and she is a good friend. She is all about safety and the truth. There is no sugar coating from her. She doesn't spout the "complications are just a variation of normal", bull shit. She lays it out there! If something comes up, she will transfer because she doesn't take chances. She respects birth and doesn't trust it. Deb is quite middle of the road from my observations.
#3- NavelgazingMidwife, Barb. She has spoken out about the mistruth she sees. She does promote safety. When you look at her, you see a woman who genuinly cares about these motherrs and their babies. I've cried reading her posts because it's like "somebody cares". I can say that I truly respect this woman and her contribution to the homebirth community. There is no "trust birth" attitude there either. You can tell by reading that she respects birth.
I've seen Deb called a "med"wife because she's a CNM. Why?? She chooses to be educated so, why is that such a bad thing?? A real midwife is actually WITH the woman, not running the damn show or not caring whether mom gets a living baby or not. I would rather have a "med"wife than some uneducated hippy and any woman with common sense should too! I've seen Amber attacked for daring to change gears and become a "med"wife. I tell ya, the stuff said to her fired me up. These people supported her when she was working on her CPM stuff, but suddenly they turned once they learned she was not pursing that. I saw women talking to her like she was a disobediant child who needed scolded. Is that really necessary?? It shows just how cruel women are when you choose to step out of the woo-ish culture. Speaking of cruel women, I saw a comment Barb received for daring to speak out. It was loaded with threats and vile crap. It was basically a shut up message from the midwifery community and from what I know, she's not the first one to receive this, it generally happens anytime a midwife speaks up.
So, Ladies, keep up the good work!!! You are all fantastic!! Readers, please go visit these women and show them some love!!
#1- Miss Amber Plyler. Amber was a student midwife working on her CPM. She has changed her path and is now working on her CNM. I have seen the transformation in her and am so incredibly proud of the person I am seeing emerge. She is truly knowledgeable and will be one hell of an asset to the midwifery community. I'm happy to have her as a friend!
#2- Deb O'Connell from Carrboro Midwifery. I think it was back when Amy Medwin was arrested and I saw Deb on various sites discussing the arrest and why Medwin shouldn't of been practicing and thought to myself, "Damn, she is awesome". Sure enough, we got in contact with one another and she is a good friend. She is all about safety and the truth. There is no sugar coating from her. She doesn't spout the "complications are just a variation of normal", bull shit. She lays it out there! If something comes up, she will transfer because she doesn't take chances. She respects birth and doesn't trust it. Deb is quite middle of the road from my observations.
#3- NavelgazingMidwife, Barb. She has spoken out about the mistruth she sees. She does promote safety. When you look at her, you see a woman who genuinly cares about these motherrs and their babies. I've cried reading her posts because it's like "somebody cares". I can say that I truly respect this woman and her contribution to the homebirth community. There is no "trust birth" attitude there either. You can tell by reading that she respects birth.
I've seen Deb called a "med"wife because she's a CNM. Why?? She chooses to be educated so, why is that such a bad thing?? A real midwife is actually WITH the woman, not running the damn show or not caring whether mom gets a living baby or not. I would rather have a "med"wife than some uneducated hippy and any woman with common sense should too! I've seen Amber attacked for daring to change gears and become a "med"wife. I tell ya, the stuff said to her fired me up. These people supported her when she was working on her CPM stuff, but suddenly they turned once they learned she was not pursing that. I saw women talking to her like she was a disobediant child who needed scolded. Is that really necessary?? It shows just how cruel women are when you choose to step out of the woo-ish culture. Speaking of cruel women, I saw a comment Barb received for daring to speak out. It was loaded with threats and vile crap. It was basically a shut up message from the midwifery community and from what I know, she's not the first one to receive this, it generally happens anytime a midwife speaks up.
So, Ladies, keep up the good work!!! You are all fantastic!! Readers, please go visit these women and show them some love!!
Mad Props!
Right now (as I'm sitting in my room supposed to be cleaning), I'm overwhelmed at the tides that are turning in the midwifery world. Midwives are speaking out about the state of homebirth and the midwifery world. So, I'm going to take the time to send out some props to some wonderful women who are promoting safety and truly care about mothers and their babies!
#1- Miss Amber Plyler. Amber was a student midwife working on her CPM. She has changed her path and is now working on her CNM. I have seen the transformation in her and am so incredibly proud of the person I am seeing emerge. She is truly knowledgeable and will be one hell of an asset to the midwifery community. I'm happy to have her as a friend!
#2- Deb O'Connell from Carrboro Midwifery. I think it was back when Amy Medwin was arrested and I saw Deb on various sites discussing the arrest and why Medwin shouldn't of been practicing and thought to myself, "Damn, she is awesome". Sure enough, we got in contact with one another and she is a good friend. She is all about safety and the truth. There is no sugar coating from her. She doesn't spout the "complications are just a variation of normal", bull shit. She lays it out there! If something comes up, she will transfer because she doesn't take chances. She respects birth and doesn't trust it. Deb is quite middle of the road from my observations.
#3- NavelgazingMidwife, Barb. She has spoken out about the mistruth she sees. She does promote safety. When you look at her, you see a woman who genuinly cares about these motherrs and their babies. I've cried reading her posts because it's like "somebody cares". I can say that I truly respect this woman and her contribution to the homebirth community. There is no "trust birth" attitude there either. You can tell by reading that she respects birth.
I've seen Deb called a "med"wife because she's a CNM. Why?? She chooses to be educated so, why is that such a bad thing?? A real midwife is actually WITH the woman, not running the damn show or not caring whether mom gets a living baby or not. I would rather have a "med"wife than some uneducated hippy and any woman with common sense should too! I've seen Amber attacked for daring to change gears and become a "med"wife. I tell ya, the stuff said to her fired me up. These people supported her when she was working on her CPM stuff, but suddenly they turned once they learned she was not pursing that. I saw women talking to her like she was a disobediant child who needed scolded. Is that really necessary?? It shows just how cruel women are when you choose to step out of the woo-ish culture. Speaking of cruel women, I saw a comment Barb received for daring to speak out. It was loaded with threats and vile crap. It was basically a shut up message from the midwifery community and from what I know, she's not the first one to receive this, it generally happens anytime a midwife speaks up.
So, Ladies, keep up the good work!!! You are all fantastic!! Readers, please go visit these women and show them some love!!
#1- Miss Amber Plyler. Amber was a student midwife working on her CPM. She has changed her path and is now working on her CNM. I have seen the transformation in her and am so incredibly proud of the person I am seeing emerge. She is truly knowledgeable and will be one hell of an asset to the midwifery community. I'm happy to have her as a friend!
#2- Deb O'Connell from Carrboro Midwifery. I think it was back when Amy Medwin was arrested and I saw Deb on various sites discussing the arrest and why Medwin shouldn't of been practicing and thought to myself, "Damn, she is awesome". Sure enough, we got in contact with one another and she is a good friend. She is all about safety and the truth. There is no sugar coating from her. She doesn't spout the "complications are just a variation of normal", bull shit. She lays it out there! If something comes up, she will transfer because she doesn't take chances. She respects birth and doesn't trust it. Deb is quite middle of the road from my observations.
#3- NavelgazingMidwife, Barb. She has spoken out about the mistruth she sees. She does promote safety. When you look at her, you see a woman who genuinly cares about these motherrs and their babies. I've cried reading her posts because it's like "somebody cares". I can say that I truly respect this woman and her contribution to the homebirth community. There is no "trust birth" attitude there either. You can tell by reading that she respects birth.
I've seen Deb called a "med"wife because she's a CNM. Why?? She chooses to be educated so, why is that such a bad thing?? A real midwife is actually WITH the woman, not running the damn show or not caring whether mom gets a living baby or not. I would rather have a "med"wife than some uneducated hippy and any woman with common sense should too! I've seen Amber attacked for daring to change gears and become a "med"wife. I tell ya, the stuff said to her fired me up. These people supported her when she was working on her CPM stuff, but suddenly they turned once they learned she was not pursing that. I saw women talking to her like she was a disobediant child who needed scolded. Is that really necessary?? It shows just how cruel women are when you choose to step out of the woo-ish culture. Speaking of cruel women, I saw a comment Barb received for daring to speak out. It was loaded with threats and vile crap. It was basically a shut up message from the midwifery community and from what I know, she's not the first one to receive this, it generally happens anytime a midwife speaks up.
So, Ladies, keep up the good work!!! You are all fantastic!! Readers, please go visit these women and show them some love!!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
In Need Of Guidance
I am fairly positive that I have many childbirth advocates and doulas who read this blog. So, I am asking for your guidance. Bambi is taking on becoming a doula. This means I need to get certified somewhere. I truly do NOT want to read or have woo shoved down my throat (because I WILL puke all over the person). Are there any courses that don't tell you that you have to read some crap written by the NCB Gods known as Henci and Ina?? Most doulas I have come across are very agenda pushing and lean towards the natural aspect of pregnancy/birth. I know three that don't push agendas and support ALL mothers. Three. That's pretty piddly. I really would like to focus on mothers who are going through losses, are carrying to term with a poor prognosis, or are carrying a baby after a loss. I also think supporting a woman in a high risk pregnancy would be valuable. Yes, the doula thing is awesome. BUT there are several areas that really need some focus. It really seems like 95% of doulas out there are focused entirely on natural births. I also see a need for supporting NICU moms and even being there should anything happen. I have a gazillion thoughts running through my head! So, throw out any thoughts/suggestions!!
In Need Of Guidance
I am fairly positive that I have many childbirth advocates and doulas who read this blog. So, I am asking for your guidance. Bambi is taking on becoming a doula. This means I need to get certified somewhere. I truly do NOT want to read or have woo shoved down my throat (because I WILL puke all over the person). Are there any courses that don't tell you that you have to read some crap written by the NCB Gods known as Henci and Ina?? Most doulas I have come across are very agenda pushing and lean towards the natural aspect of pregnancy/birth. I know three that don't push agendas and support ALL mothers. Three. That's pretty piddly. I really would like to focus on mothers who are going through losses, are carrying to term with a poor prognosis, or are carrying a baby after a loss. I also think supporting a woman in a high risk pregnancy would be valuable. Yes, the doula thing is awesome. BUT there are several areas that really need some focus. It really seems like 95% of doulas out there are focused entirely on natural births. I also see a need for supporting NICU moms and even being there should anything happen. I have a gazillion thoughts running through my head! So, throw out any thoughts/suggestions!!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Homebirth in Oregon
Since the beginning of the year, I have heard about around a dozen homebirth losses in that state. So, I'm going to explore the ins and outs of midwifery in Oregon.
1. What is the legal standing of midwives in Oregon??
According to this article , there were 6 complaints lodged against that cente when patients an into trouble and were transported. It states the Oregon homebirth numbers at 877 in 2009. Of course no neonatal or perinatal mortality numbers are mentioned, but, it says fetal deaths are .1% for Licensed Midwives and .5% for Physicians. Oh wait, it does share numbers. According to a 2009 BC Homebirth study, the risk of a baby dying in a midwife attended homebirth is 1.7% versus .6% in the hospital. This study included breech, twins, and vbac (which we know increase risks, but their moms and midwives don't really seem to care about that one). That is a 2.8 times higher risk of death, yikes!
It's scary to look at this state while people think they are something to be idolized and emulated. It's also sad to think that the only people who seem to care about the dead babies are doctors and nurses who tried standing up against the broken corrupt midwifery system in that state.
1. What is the legal standing of midwives in Oregon??
According to CFM: Direct entry midwifery is legal in Oregon as a completely unregulated practice. There is also a voluntary licensure for those who want to recieve medicaid reimbursement Oregon Medical Assistance program (OMAP) and maximize the opportunity for insurance reimbursement; however, in reality access to medicaid payments for fee-for-service maternity care in the home is very limited due to the administrative rules set up by ). Licensure requires successful completion of the North American Registry of Midwives written and skills exam.
In other words: CPM's can bill medicaid so they can try to make more money and if you want to call yourself a midwife, have fun practicing.
2. Who tracks the data for this state??
The answer to this is pretty much nobody. I found on Oregon PublicHealth that in 2006, 269 infants died. Oddly enough, only 33 babies show up on the CDC Wonder Database. I also managed to find this. We know that Melissa Cheney has also insisted all midwives submit their data to MANA, but we also know she is on the board for both places and making good money doing it, and we also know MANA doesn't share data. All in all, nobody tracks outcomes!
3. How many Licensed Midwives are there??
Thee are 74 Licensed Midwives. However, the number of unlicensed midwives practicing is unknown as nobody tracks them nor are they held accountable for negative outcomes.
I did find that there are 36 practices that employ CNM's!
In 2010, Andaluz Birth Center filed a class action suit against Oregon Health and Science University.
Midwives say doctors and nurses at OHSU have filed baseless complaints to the licensing agency meant to thwart competition.
According to this article , there were 6 complaints lodged against that cente when patients an into trouble and were transported. It states the Oregon homebirth numbers at 877 in 2009. Of course no neonatal or perinatal mortality numbers are mentioned, but, it says fetal deaths are .1% for Licensed Midwives and .5% for Physicians. Oh wait, it does share numbers. According to a 2009 BC Homebirth study, the risk of a baby dying in a midwife attended homebirth is 1.7% versus .6% in the hospital. This study included breech, twins, and vbac (which we know increase risks, but their moms and midwives don't really seem to care about that one). That is a 2.8 times higher risk of death, yikes!
It's scary to look at this state while people think they are something to be idolized and emulated. It's also sad to think that the only people who seem to care about the dead babies are doctors and nurses who tried standing up against the broken corrupt midwifery system in that state.
Homebirth in Oregon
Since the beginning of the year, I have heard about around a dozen homebirth losses in that state. So, I'm going to explore the ins and outs of midwifery in Oregon.
1. What is the legal standing of midwives in Oregon??
According to this article , there were 6 complaints lodged against that cente when patients an into trouble and were transported. It states the Oregon homebirth numbers at 877 in 2009. Of course no neonatal or perinatal mortality numbers are mentioned, but, it says fetal deaths are .1% for Licensed Midwives and .5% for Physicians. Oh wait, it does share numbers. According to a 2009 BC Homebirth study, the risk of a baby dying in a midwife attended homebirth is 1.7% versus .6% in the hospital. This study included breech, twins, and vbac (which we know increase risks, but their moms and midwives don't really seem to care about that one). That is a 2.8 times higher risk of death, yikes!
It's scary to look at this state while people think they are something to be idolized and emulated. It's also sad to think that the only people who seem to care about the dead babies are doctors and nurses who tried standing up against the broken corrupt midwifery system in that state.
1. What is the legal standing of midwives in Oregon??
According to CFM: Direct entry midwifery is legal in Oregon as a completely unregulated practice. There is also a voluntary licensure for those who want to recieve medicaid reimbursement Oregon Medical Assistance program (OMAP) and maximize the opportunity for insurance reimbursement; however, in reality access to medicaid payments for fee-for-service maternity care in the home is very limited due to the administrative rules set up by ). Licensure requires successful completion of the North American Registry of Midwives written and skills exam.
In other words: CPM's can bill medicaid so they can try to make more money and if you want to call yourself a midwife, have fun practicing.
2. Who tracks the data for this state??
The answer to this is pretty much nobody. I found on Oregon PublicHealth that in 2006, 269 infants died. Oddly enough, only 33 babies show up on the CDC Wonder Database. I also managed to find this. We know that Melissa Cheney has also insisted all midwives submit their data to MANA, but we also know she is on the board for both places and making good money doing it, and we also know MANA doesn't share data. All in all, nobody tracks outcomes!
3. How many Licensed Midwives are there??
Thee are 74 Licensed Midwives. However, the number of unlicensed midwives practicing is unknown as nobody tracks them nor are they held accountable for negative outcomes.
I did find that there are 36 practices that employ CNM's!
In 2010, Andaluz Birth Center filed a class action suit against Oregon Health and Science University.
Midwives say doctors and nurses at OHSU have filed baseless complaints to the licensing agency meant to thwart competition.
According to this article , there were 6 complaints lodged against that cente when patients an into trouble and were transported. It states the Oregon homebirth numbers at 877 in 2009. Of course no neonatal or perinatal mortality numbers are mentioned, but, it says fetal deaths are .1% for Licensed Midwives and .5% for Physicians. Oh wait, it does share numbers. According to a 2009 BC Homebirth study, the risk of a baby dying in a midwife attended homebirth is 1.7% versus .6% in the hospital. This study included breech, twins, and vbac (which we know increase risks, but their moms and midwives don't really seem to care about that one). That is a 2.8 times higher risk of death, yikes!
It's scary to look at this state while people think they are something to be idolized and emulated. It's also sad to think that the only people who seem to care about the dead babies are doctors and nurses who tried standing up against the broken corrupt midwifery system in that state.
Monday, August 1, 2011
"I'm prepared to have my baby die"
This is not the first time I have seen homebirth advocates nonchalantly talk about being prepared and thinking about their babies potential death when planning their ultimate birth.
Let me say that you can NEVER, EVER, concoct a scenario in your head that comes close to the reality of actually losing your baby. Even parents who carry a baby they know will not survive don't know what it would be like nor are they prepared for losing their child. You can think life and death are beautifully interwoven, but there is nothing beautiful about death that happens before life.
Try out this exercise here. Grab a few friends and a knife set. Ask one to plunge the biggest one into your heart. Ask another to plunge one into your back, probably a bread knife because those are long enough to puncture a lung. have another friend grab two more knives and drive them into your feet so you cannot move. Ask someone to give you some kind of psychedelic drug so reality is incredibly altered. Have them punch you in the eyes until your eyes are red and swollen and you look about double your age. This is nowhere close but it allows you feel some of the physical symptoms that losing your child causes.
How about just sit online and look at infant funeral photos. Look at photos of stillborn babies. Watch videos of funerals for infants. Watch memorial videos. Write up an obituary for one of your living kids and place their photo next to it. Still doesn't come close! Reach out to grieving parents and watch them in their grief. Help plan a baby's funeral. Attend an infant funeral and watch the parents. Watch how they tenderly touch their baby. Then watch as they have to say goodbye forever. Yeah, you still have no idea.
There is nothing I can say that can remotely give you any inkling into what it is like to lose your baby. If you think for one second that you can imagine what it is like, you are an idiot who is dead wrong. The day you go through it is the day you know what it's like. So, plan your birth, but don't say some stupid thing about preparing to lose your baby or imagining what it would be like or anything like that. Please. And let's not wax on poetically about life or birth being part of death. Death doesn't go hand in hand with birth like it does in homebirth circles. Death isn't beautiful or something good that happens to a baby. There are no positive ways to see the death of a baby. It's a horrible thing to experience, the worst that could ever happen to a person.
Course, you could surprise everyone and be one of the homebirth loss parents who don't care about their child. They normally bury their baby and forget about it. Parents who really love their children don't behave that way!
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