Cesarean.html

Minnesota Birth Network Cesarean & VBAC Resources

Breech Birth Beyond the Term Breech Trial
by Maggie Banks
http://www.birthspirit.co.nz
About Birthspirit
Birthspirit is the wholeness in each of us.
Innately present, deep within us all,
she waits to be discovered as we peel
back the cluttering layers of fear
and self doubt that exist in our her story.
There is no search to be done as she is not lost.

- They have a section
dedicated to cesarean information, more facts than
healing/recuperation information, but it is helpful.

Your Birth

Prepare both physically and
mentally for a Vaginal Birth After Cesarean.
Gain confidence in your body's ability to birth,
gain knowledge about how labr should grogress,
build a connection with your baby.
-Prepare for a ptotential birth experience.
-Heal from previous birth experiences.
-Reduce your fears about a cesarean birth.
Jennifer Bloome at 651-295-4110 or Yourbirth@aol.com

Heads Up! All about Breech Babies www.breechbabies.com
This site was developed so that families expecting a breech baby have a place to come to get all the information
available to them regarding the dynamics of birthing breech. I have searched the entire web for stories, research,
pictures and techniques, to help families make informed decisions in regards to birthing their breech babies. My
hope is that when you leave this site, you will have a better understanding of your baby, your choices and yourself
when it comes to birthing your breech baby.

ICAN New ICAN Chapter!
Twin Cities Chapter of the International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN) is a mother-to-mother support group for cesarean prevention, recovery and vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). Free monthly meetings are held at 6:30 pm on the second Monday of each month at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 1720 East Minnehaha Parkway, Mpls. 55407. Meetings are topic based and educational with time for support and information sharing. Call Chandra Fischer at 612-202-1430 or e-mail email or Julie Maas at 612-724-0195 or e-mail email
click here for their website

click here for some great information
ican

ICAN of La Crosse and Winona, MN
can contact me directly (tami.groth email). I believe this is now the only active WI chapter (there is also an active Twin Cities chapter). We need the support of everyone who supports our mission (http://www.ican-online.org/about/aboutican.php)

-------------------------------------

ICAN of La Crosse and Winona Announces Upcoming Meeting: Breastfeeding after a Cesarean
Thursday, October 5th at 7:00pm '06

ICAN of La Crosse and Winona's Co-Leader, Jenny Raby, will be the first to admit that breastfeeding is the best way for a newborn infant to be fed, but when faced with her son's need for nourishment following his birth in February of 2005 she felt ill-prepared to meet what seemed to be a very daunting task. Unfortunately, due to a lack of support from her immediate family, hospital staff, and her son's pediatrician in addition to the emotional and physical recovery from the cesarean, the nursing relationship she had dreamed about when pregnant ended within the first four weeks.

Looking back on it now, Jenny admits "It really was a lack of education. I felt I was prepared and in all reality, had I not had a c-section, I probably would have been. Nothing I had done prepared me for the two-fold task of taking care of myself and my baby."

Mother's who undergo a cesarean section face many different challenges related to breastfeeding including positioning difficulties, delayed initiation of breastfeeding, babies who may be drowsy, lack of support, as well as the possiblity that her milk may take longer to come in.

ICAN of La Crosse and Winona wants to help support moms who have been through a cesarean section, who are planning on going through a cesarean, or have already had one scheduled by giving them the tools the need to be successful. ICAN of La Crosse and Winona will welcome Pat Thomas PHN IBCLC to discuss "Breastfeeding after a Cesarean" at their next meeting on Thursday, October 5th at 7:00pm, Southside Neighborhood Center, 1300 6th St S, La Crosse.

Pat Thomas will share from her experience as a Public Health Nurse for 20 years and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant since 1999. In addition to receiving tips and suggestions there will also be the opportunity to ask questions. As always, parents (both those who have experienced cesarean section and those who have not), expectant parents, childbirth educators, professional labor assistants, midwives, nurses, physicians, and others interested in childbirth are welcome to attend.

For more information contact Tami at 608-385-9848, Jenny at 608-215-4920, or send an email to email

Interested in helping get the word out? Please post the attached poster.

Thanks!

ICAN of La Crosse and Winona

------------------------------
The International Cesarean Awareness Network, Inc. (ICAN) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve maternal-child health by preventing unnecessary cesareans through education, providing support for cesarean recovery, and promoting Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC).
------------------------------------------

We want to be sure that you are aware of the new booklet that the Maternity
Center Association released this month, What Every Pregnant Woman Needs to
Know About Cesarean Section. Attached is a PDF of this booklet, which is
also available online at http://www.maternitywise.org/cesareanbooklet/

Click Here for more about cesarean booklet

International Contacts:

USA/California:

*Erin: Ph - (905) 319-3579 (Burlington, ON Canada), email - madam@worldchat.com

*Nicette Jukelevics: At the Centre for Family - Ph: (310) 375 3141, email - info@vbac.com

*ICAN - International Caesarean Awareness Network: email - info@ican-online.org
(Support groups all over America). Web address is: www.ican-online.org

* Linda: Ph: 201 947 1704, email - Mamabearpluscubs@aol.com (USA)

a woman centered, evidence based, resource
This website provides childbearing women and maternity care professionals access to research-based information, resources, continuing education and support for VBAC* (vaginal birth after cesarean).
Resources and medical updates will be revised on a regular basis.

These books may also be helpful:
Silent Knife by Nancy Wainer Cohen & Lois J Estner
Open Season by Nancy Wainer Cohen
Transformation through Birth (Available from CAPERS)
The Caesarean Experience by Sarah Clement

birthlove.com
The passion of mothering is not a New Age idea... it’s a Stone Age absolute.

                        Columns about a vast array of
                        topics; from growing personal
                        power to analyzing bizarre
                        obstetrician poetry.

                        Included: Cesarean Section: The
                        Anatomy of a Choice (4/17/00) It
                        is crucial that all women planning
                        hospital births read this column. It
                        may save them from much pain,
                        and frightening surprises.

webring

This RingSurf Home Birth after Cesarean site is owned by
Vanessa Hunt-Jansen.
Would you like to join?

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A Cesarean Poem by Barbara Stratton WomanCareDoula@comcast.net

I had a cesarean
I didn't want one
I wanted a baby
All wet and messy
Plopped onto my bare chest
To comfort in his first moment
By the stroke of my hand
And a nuzzle at my breast

I had a cesarean
All betadine and beeping machines
And anonymous blue masks
Seeing my insides
And me- numb to my toes
With no feeling

Except heartbreak

My plans
And my dreams
Were betrayed
By the orange label
Attached to my chart
Code for "high risk"

I didn't feel high risk
I hated that label

Who are these people
Did you start?
I'm here! I'm here! Why is
No one talking to me?
I hear my baby cry, my baby cry
But can't see MY BABY
My baby, my baby, someone bring me
My baby
No answers
No explanation
I am alone
Except for the blue masks
Putting my insides back in.

He was brought to me
Already clean and wrapped
And frantic
I couldn't even hold him
I'm sure it is not what he expected
Either.

Then the blood
Then the pain
My belly no longer full of baby
Grew distended with air

"It doesn't matter now" Woman #1 said
"I had three cesareans, they are no big deal" wack #2
said
"Your sister sprang right back" My mother said
(My sister was 19)

I have flashbacks
Like a war vet
And a sadness that
No one wants to hear about
And pain.

It does matter
It is a big deal
It is a mourning
I had a cesarean
I didn't want one.
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Cesarean booklet
We want to be sure that you are aware of the new booklet that the Maternity
Center Association released this month, What Every Pregnant Woman Needs to
Know About Cesarean Section. Attached is a PDF of this booklet, which is
also available online at http://www.maternitywise.org/cesareanbooklet/

MCA carried out a review of the relevant research and developed the consumer
booklet because belief and practice have been changing rapidly without
benefit of a systematic look at the research evidence. We are committed to
helping women make fully informed decisions about this important matter.

Contents of New Consumer Booklet
The new booklet helps a woman understand:
€ changes in maternity care that may have an impact on her
€ her legal right to “informed consent” and “informed refusal”
€ dozens of outcomes for mothers and babies with different risks according
to “mode of delivery”
€ situations that may increase her likelihood of having a cesarean section
€ tips to improve her odds for a safe and healthy birth.

The booklet informs women about differences in the likelihood of
experiencing quite a few physical and emotional outcomes around the time of
birth, as well as some ongoing health concerns and a range of health risks
associated with future reproductive capacity.

Rigorous Review of Evidence
Before developing the booklet, we used systematic review guidelines to
clarify what all is at stake in the decision about whether to give birth by
cesarean section or vaginally. Individual studies and media reports have
been misleading and incomplete, as they have not reported the full range of
risks that are involved in this decision. We also took a close look at 2
other issues that are playing a major role in changing practice: the
relationship between how a woman gives birth and pelvic floor disorders, and
effects of planned cesarean relative to unplanned cesarean and vaginal
birth.

The booklet summarizes the results of these investigations in the main body
and a detailed appendix. In addition, PDF files are available at the above
URL that describe the review process, list hundreds of sources used to
develop conclusions, list the main questions and outcomes examined, and
reproduce detailed evidence tables summarizing the studies examined.

Collaborative Development Process
When we began this project, we invited several dozen national not-for-profit
professional and consumer organizations in the field to join us in a variety
of ways. Many responded positively, and we especially appreciated receiving
detailed feedback on the draft booklet and other documents from dozens of
health professionals (with expertise in childbirth education, family
medicine, labor support, midwifery, nursing, pediatrics, and obstetrics), as
well as consumers and consumer advocates. This input has strengthened the
final products immeasurably.

Endorsements
To date, the booklet has been endorsed by 18 national non-profit
organizations, which are listed on the final page. Other groups are
considering endorsement.

Media Event at New York Academy of Medicine
The booklet was launched at a media event earlier this month at the New York
Academy of Medicine. The event was well-attended and well-received by
reporters and members of the various groups that have been involved with the
booklet process. The following individuals joined a panel to present
results of the review and discuss the complex relevant issues that are
involved: Eugene Declercq, PhD, Timothy Johnson, MD, Michael Klein, MD,
Deanne Williams, CNM, Linda Mayberry, RN, PhD, and two mothers. A lively Q &
A followed. We are exploring the possibility of making a video of this event
available on our website in the coming weeks (the URL would be:
http://www.maternitywise.org/prof/cesarean/) and distributing a DVD. If
interested in the latter, please contact csectionproject@maternitywise.org

The press release is available at: http://www.maternitywise.org/pressroom/

Early Media Coverage
The major initial media coverage was very strong, including:

HealthNewsDigest: Cesarean Section Compared to Vaginal Birth, April 19, 2004
http://www.healthnewsdigest.com/news/hlth_ces-18.html

HealthDay: What Women Need to Know About C-Sections, April 16, 2004
http://www.healthday.com/view.cfm?id=518410

Kaisernetwork: More Pregnant Women Delivering by C-Section, Despite Risks of
Surgery, Maternity Center Association Says, April 16, 2004
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?hint=2&DR_ID=23234

Newsday: Rate of C-sections Again on the Rise, Doctors Say, April 15, 2004
http://www.newsday.com/news/health/ny-hscsec0415,0,6422385.story

Access to New Booklet
The new booklet is available as a PDF file on the Maternity Center
Association’s website (http://www.maternitywise.org/cesareanbooklet/) and on
the websites of many of the endorsing organizations. By the end of May, the
booklet will also be available in a paper version. To learn about obtaining
printed copies of the booklet, check back at
http://www.maternitywise.org/bookstore/ later in May.

Best wishes,

Maureen Corry, MPH
Executive Director

Carol Sakala, PhD, MSPH
Director of Programs