Healthy Birth Practices

This evening, I found myself in the gym flipping through the stations on the TV attached to the elliptical. I had doubt that I would find much on at eight o'clock on a Friday night. I happened upon MTV's 16 and Pregnant. This is a show I have watched bits and pieces of in the past, but have never been able to watch a full episode. I don't care for the program for a number of reasons, but found myself getting very involved tonight. A year ago, I would not have been thinking about Lamaze's Healthy Birth Practices while watching this show, but that is exactly what I was doing tonight.

The staff was good about asking the mom about who she planned to have with her for support (care practice #3) and when her over-bearing mother tried to avoid certain questions, the nurse offered to answer questions in private with the pregnant teen. However, I cringed when the nurse pointed out that "all of the equipment that we need for delivery is in the room." (Care practice #4)(The episode is here and the hospital tour is at about 15:30) I couldn't help but think of how many babies were born before there was any equipment. While it is used for some very good reasons in some births and some women take comfort in the information it provides, I can't shake the notion that women's bodies are designed to birth babies. The equipment doesn't change that fact.

Some time after receiving an epidural, it was time to push. It wasn't surprising to see directed pushing being used, but there was one moment that stood out. The nurse wanted Mom to start pushing and Mom was waiting until she could focus inwardly before beginning. I was proud of her for taking control of the situation and pushing when and how she needed to (care practice 5).

Finally, a beautiful baby girl emerged. The doctor held her up for Mom to see, had the grandmother cut the cord and took the baby to the warmer. Due to the magic of television, it is unclear how much time the baby was there but when the hospital staff was done, they brought a completely bundled baby to see her mom for the first time. I immediately thought "Number 6! No separation of Mom and Baby with unlimited opportunity to breastfeed." (Healthy Birth Practice #6) A year ago, that thought never would have crossed my mind.

I recently posted on childbirth as it is portrayed in programming for preschoolers. Watching this show led me to consider similar questions about childbirth in programs for teens. I wonder if there are any episodes showing young moms who chose unmediated births or even home births. If not, what impact would including different types of birth have on teens?

As always, I want to emphasize that each woman should choose how she handles the birth of her child. My goal is to make sure that families have evidence-based information to make their own decisions. Much of the information I have learned in the past 10 months would have changed the questions I asked and the ways in which I chose to advocate for myself during the birth of my own children.

Postpatrum Depression

The Department of Health and Human Services says that "about 13% of pregnant women and new mothers have depression." The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologist states that 70 - 80% of women experience the "baby blues." More recent studies seem to be indicating that Postpartum Depression is even more prevalent. There is no doubt that postpartum depression is a concern for pregnant and new moms, but what may surprise some people is that dads can suffer from depression after the arrival of a new baby as well.

CNN posted this article about postpartum depression in men. It is clear from the article that more research is needed. What causes this depression? Does the medicalization of birth play a factor? Are we educating and/or preparing men as well as we should be for the arrival of their babies? How can we incorporate adequate screening for depression for a couple into prenatal and postpartum care? As childbirth educators, how can we address this in our classes and what should we be looking for? These are questions I don't have the answers to, but would be interested in seeing the research surrounding the subject.


You can read a Lamaze article on Postpartum Depression and Baby Blues here.

Children's Programming

It has been a while since my last post. The exam is done and after a fantastic opportunity to meet with Lamaze's Certification Council, I have returned to blogging.

I have begun reading Jennifer Block's Pushed once again. I started this book a few months ago, but chose to read some other things to prepare for certification. I recommend that anyone wishing to have a safe and healthy birth read it before even getting pregnant. It includes great, evidence-based information that everyone should know before making their birthing decisions. With this reading comes an increased awareness of birth in the word around me.

In the past two days, I have watched two separate children's cartoons in which a mom is having a second baby. A year ago, I never would have thought twice about the way the birthing process is portrayed, but since beginning my journey through Lamaze, things have changed.

We are always seeing birth portrayed in the media and too often it is presented with very little variation. Women see other women laboring in a hospital bed connected to IVs, monitors and with epidurals. While this is the reality for many women, it is not what all women want. I believe there should be a variety of birthing experiences presented in the media and it may aid women in advocating for the types of births they wish to achieve.

While viewing these cartoons with my son, it occurred to me that we are perpetuating the cycle with our children. In both cases, the parents went to the hospital to have a baby. In one case, the mom was having contractions that were somewhat unrealistic. I'm not suggesting we need to be too graphic or detailed, but smiles and "ohs" are also not what children may see while their moms are in labor. We may be setting our children up to be frightened when what they see is so different from what they imagined. In the second program, the new big sister went to visit her new baby brother in the "baby hospital." They passed two nurseries filled with babies before getting to the third nursery where the new baby slept with six others.

I understand that cartoons are not aimed at an adult audience, but perhaps by varying birthing locations (i.e. hospital, home birth, birthing center) and portraying more "ideal" situations, such as visiting baby who is cuddled up with Mom we can help to guide a generation of children to know that there are a variety of birthing options and choices that can be made. By presenting the safe and healthy arrival of a new family member in a variety of ways we may help our children have different expectations for a birthing experience and perhaps be good advocates for themselves when the time comes.

I know that there are a few concerns with this. First off, I could eliminate the television viewing and solve the problem. I'm expecting a lot from a children's cartoon. The reality is, my kids watch TV and I want what they are viewing to expose them to many different things presented in many different ways. This is true not just of birthing experiences, but of all information presented in children's programming. What do you think?