Breastfeeding saves lives (and costs too)
A new study published in the journal Pediatrics says that if new mothers breastfeed their babies for the first six months it will save nearly 1000 lives and Billions of dollars each year. According to the study which focuses exclusively on the US, $13 billion in excess costs are incurred annually and nearly 911 babies die each year directly attributable to lack of breastfeeding practices in the US. While no such study has been done in India, it is very much conceivable that implications of not breastfeeding babies during the first six months are not good for Indian families too. In fact medical organizations like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians and the Centers for Disease Control, all agree that breast milk alone is sufficient for newborns until they are six months old. Formula milk has been found to cause health problems in newborns because their stomachs have not been designed to digest artificial compounds in it. Newborns fed on formula almost always have to undergo continuous treatment for ailments causing much anxiety and expenses for parents. Mixed messages from media advertisements do a disservice to new parents and babies by subtle suggestions that promote formula milk. At our Healthy Mother Breastfeeding Support Programs we teach new mothers the correct techniques for initiation and maintenance of breastfeeding. We also teach working mothers how they can feed their babies breast milk and still go to work.
National Institutes of Health (USA) supports Vaginal Birth After Cesarean
The National Institutes of Health (NIH), is a part of the US Department of Health and Human Services, and is the primary Federal agency for conducting and supporting medical research. In a recent panel meeting on vaginal birth after cesarean operation, the NIH reaffirmed that existing medical research shows risks in VBAC are low and that exposing women to repeat cesarean operations can pose significant harm both in the short and long term. Read Lamaze International’s press release about the NIH’s meeting and about what Lamaze International recommends as healthy and safe birth practices. We at Healthy Mother fully endorse Lamaze International’s viewpoint and work to ensure mother’s who have had a previous c-section operation are given full chance to labor the second time, and given full freedom to try for natural birth.
Travel during Pregnancy
This document gives some tips about safe travel during pregnancy. While these are not all inclusive, they are some of more common sense guidelines for you to travel.
Recommended VBAC Reading List
This is a very useful list of reading materials that every woman who wants to go in for a VBAC should have. This list is recommended by ICAN (International Cesarean Awareness Network)
New Article – Report on risk of Repeat Cesareans
This study, conducted by the University of Colorado at Denver, Colorado School of Public Health and The Children’s Hospital, Denver highlights the increased health risk to both mother and baby when mother has a repeat elective cesarean section after a prior cesarean operation
Increased risk of Infant Respiratory Distress in Elective C-Sections – Research Article
As c-section rates continue to touch highs of 75 – 80% in many hospitals in India, the following research article that appeared in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) talks about the link between elective c-sections and respiratory complications in infants. Distinction is made between medically necessary c-sections after a period of labor and elective c-sections without mother undergoing some amount of labor.
Making Childbirth a Normal Process
An excellent article which describes the process of Normal Childbirth where there is no unnecessary medical intervention. The article points out that most interventions such as induction of labor by giving drugs such as Pitocin etc, pain medication such as Epidural, Continuous Electronic Monitoring that restrict freedom of movement, put mother and baby under stress and ultimately set her up for a c-section outcome. The article concludes that if every healthy mother’s pregnancy and childbirth is viewed as a normal process which is integral to life, Natural Birth will be the norm and medical emergency will be required only in case of emergency. The author is Dr. Lennart Righard, M.D., formerly a Sr. Pediatrician, with the Department of Pediatrics, Univesity Hospital, University of Lund, Sweden Note: The Scandinavian countries put together have the highest rates of Normal Births in the world.
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How to choose the right hospital to give birth?
How do you know if the hospital you have chosen to give birth in is the right one for you and your baby? This article, adapted from “Mother-friendly Childbirth Initiative”, a publication from the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services (CIMS) lists important questions you should ask your doctors and potential hospitals in your search for the right place for the birth of your child. A hospital where staff and facilities is mother and baby friendly has a great influence on whether you have a fulfilling and emotionally satisfying childbirth experience, which lasts a lifetime.
All about VBACs
A very good website that points towards facts and evidence-based research on the definite possibility of having a vaginal delivery after a cesarian birth (VBAC). The document is a collection of articles, experiences and research, that tells it is definitely possible to have a VBAC provided mother is well supported during labor and childbirth.
Risk of Cesarian Sections – Recent Evidence
A thought-provoking article on the risks of having a c-section when it is NOT medically necessary – a must for every mom and dad.