You may have seen this image floating around the internet: Originally posted on reddit, it’s been shared and blogged about many times the past few days. People are outraged that someone was charged to hold her own baby after a cesarean. When my friend texted it to me the other night, my initial reaction was also […]
A recent meta-analysis of childbirth studies has suggested that the likelihood of having a cesarean can be reduced by the simple act of getting a second opinion. There are many diagnoses made during pregnancy that may or may not be evidence-based. Anytime you’re faced with a diagnosis that seems to complicate your pregnancy or require […]
I came across this video on Facebook recently. It really shows the stark difference for moms, dads, and babies when comparing cesareans to vaginal births. The mother in this video has two cesareans, then a homebirth. The video is very emotional to watch. It’s amazing to see the differences in her experiences, and also her […]
Cesarean surgery can be life-saving for both mothers and babies. C-sections are not bad things, in and of themselves. But in the United States almost one third of babies are born by cesarean, mostly unnecessarily. These excess surgeries, above and beyond those which are truly necessary, put moms and babies at unnecessary risk for all […]
April is Cesarean Awareness month, and I think there’s a lot of confusion about what that means. The Georgia Birth Network and ICAN of Atlanta put together a rally this weekend outside Piedmont Hospital. We received a lot of encouraging honks and waves and thumbs-up, but also a few negative comments and angry reactions. Whenever […]
According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the cesarean rate in the United States has now reached 32.3%, up 50% since 1996. This goes beyond medical negligence; it should really be considered a crime against women and babies. This Reuters article gives more details about birth statistics for the United States. Please join the […]
I have a long history of always being involved in some sort of cause. Before I had kids, I spent a lot of time in pet rescue. Though I’ve moved on as far as where I spend the majority of my time, I still feel passionately about animal welfare and responsible pet ownership. What I […]
Almost one woman in three in the United States will have her baby surgically, by c-section. Many women would prefer to avoid surgery, but what if you’ve already had one cesarean? Is it really safe to have a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean)? The science says yes! The main risk involved with VBAC is […]
The Rise of Cesarean Births in the United States by Baby Steps 2008 In 1970, the cesarean rate in the United States was about 5%2. The electronic fetal monitor, though invented in the 1960s3, came into wide use in the 1970s. This device brought with it a rapid increase of cesarean rates. The studies on […]
This week, the “Today” show showed a live cesarean birth on their program touting the benefits of the surgery and glossing over the serious risks involved in the surgery. Here is the clip: The Today show – Cesarean The International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN) released a statement addressing the shortcomings of the segment. ICAN response
