Random Thoughts

  Michael and I were discussing about the problems of Labor and Delivery in America the other evening.
Did you know the the United States has perhaps the most advanced health care system in the world, but it also has the second-highest infant mortality rate of any industrialized nation? Why is this?
I have had four different doctors, and one midwife; and have delivered in five different hospitals. My experience has differed with each.
It is a rare thing for a doctor to see a full natural birth...Many women don't know what a natural birth experience ever is.
Is Birth a Medical condition or a natural part of giving life? In 90% of cases, it is a natural part of giving life...but many women are not getting that picture when going to the hospital to give birth.

Many times a typical labor goes like this...

• Mom is scheduled for an induction or
• Water is broke to get things moving
• Contractions are not moving like doctor wants so PIT is given (drug to make contractions come)
• Pain meds are given (because contractions with PIT are much more painful than normal)
• Epidural is given
• Labor slows down
• More pit is given because contractions slowed down.
• Baby is pushed out with mom on her back (because this is convenient for Doctor) or...
• Now baby is in distress
• C-section is offered

The best births I had were the three that had no intervention whatsoever. One was because I had the privilege of having a CNM (Certified Nurse Midwife) in the hospital. The other two were because the children came very quickly.

My husband and I were discussing Stephen's birth because we had made it to the hospital, but not out of the van. Therefore, he was born in the van. However, my water did not break until the time of birth causing the labor pains to not be as intense.

The next day at the supper table Stephen, who is now 7, said, “Mom, I heard you talking to dad and now I know why I was born in the van!”
“Why?" I replied with a straight face.
“Because,” he said, “You did not get my water pumped 
With a straight face...I agreed, then quickly excused myself for a quiet laugh!