Birth
"Outcomes of Care in Birth Centers: Demonstration of a Durable Model," Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health, 30 Jan 2013
"This study demonstrates the safety of the midwifery-led birth center model of collaborative care as well as continued low obstetric intervention rates, similar to previous studies of birth center care. These findings are particularly remarkable in an era characterized by increases in obstetric intervention and cesarean birth nationwide."
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jmwh.12003/full
"New Evidence Confirms Birth Centers Provide Top-Notch Care," American Association of Birth Centers, 31 Jan 2013
"What is the bottom line for families?
"Expecting families who choose the birth center setting in the U.S. can expect high-quality, family-centered care with a Cesarean rate of approximately 6%. Less than 2% of women who choose the birth center setting will require an urgent transfer for either mother or newborn. The stillbirth and newborn death rates are comparable to rates seen in other low-risk populations. The information provided by the new National Birth Center Study II will help women and families make evidence-based, informed decisions about their babies’ births.
"What is the bottom line for physicians and hospitals?
"For physicians and hospitals, this study confirms the original 1989 Birth Center Study findings that midwifery-led care in birth centers is safe. We now have evidence from two large-scale U.S. studies, along with the added advantage of more than 35 years of birth center experience. These findings should encourage physicians and hospitals to partner with birth centers in their communities. Partnerships will benefit hospitals through increased referral revenue and recognition, and benefit patients by making transitions of care as seamless and patient-centered as possible."
http://www.birthcenters.org/research
"Study Finds Adverse Effects of Pitocin in Newborns," American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 7 May 2013
"Researchers found that induction and augmentation of labor with oxytocin was an independent risk factor for unexpected admission to the NICU lasting more than 24 hours for full-term infants. Augmentation also correlated with Apgar scores of fewer than seven at five minutes. The Apgar is a test that evaluates a newborn’s physical condition at one and five minutes after birth based on appearance (skin coloration), pulse (heart rate), grimace response (medically known as “reflex irritability”), activity and muscle tone, and respiration (breathing rate and effort). A baby who scores eight and above is generally considered to be in good health."
Sheila Kitzinger, British social anthropologist whose work focuses on childbirth
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheila_Kitzinger
'“Add Another Scar to My Soul": Effects of Traumatic Birth on Care Providers,' Midwife Connection, Blog of the American College of Nurse-Midwives
http://www.midwife.org/Add-Another-Scar-to-My-Soul-Effects-of-Traumatic-Birth-on-Care-Providers
"A Mixed Methods Study of Secondary Traumatic Stress in Labor and Delivery Nurses," Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing, 12 July 2012
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1552-6909.2012.01386.x/abstract
The Business of Being Born
http://www.thebusinessofbeingborn.com/trailer.php
This movie will move you tears of joy and frustration. Available for rental and for purchase; purchase prices range from US $20-$40.
The Big Push for Midwives