Comments on: Know the Statistics; Don’t Be One http://prenatalyogacenter.com/blog/know-the-statistics-dont-be-one/ A New York City mom sharing her knowledge as a childbirth educator, labor support doula, and her own journey through motherhood Thu, 17 May 2012 03:45:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: joe http://prenatalyogacenter.com/blog/know-the-statistics-dont-be-one/#comment-489 joe Sat, 14 Mar 2009 05:32:48 +0000 http://prenatalyogacenter.com/blog/?p=23#comment-489 It is very good article, i suggest to every one to go through this article once, It is very good article, i suggest to every one to go through this article once,

]]> By: Nicky http://prenatalyogacenter.com/blog/know-the-statistics-dont-be-one/#comment-160 Nicky Thu, 31 Jul 2008 20:23:05 +0000 http://prenatalyogacenter.com/blog/?p=23#comment-160 I would like to give Hannah hope. I am also European and was shocked at the level of medicalisation of the birth process in NY. I chose to give birth at Lenox Hill (rather than a birthing centre) because I felt safer having medical back-up available, but hoped not to use it. I had no intervention (except a drip for hydration which was compulsory). The hospital staff couldn't believe it, but it shows it is possible even in a regular hospital. I believe I was only able to do this because I knew what I did and didn't want (and was lucky to have an uncomplicated labour). If I hadn't been armed with this information and therefore able to refuse various interventions, I would have had pitocin, totally unnecessarily, at the end of a short labour (the only reason I can think it was suggested was so the ob-gyn could get back to her surgery) and an episiotomy (I had no tearing without it)... and possibly more! I have a friend in NY who has two children - one older and one younger than mine. For her first pregnancy she did a very short course that, presumably, covered the basics. When it came to her second pregnancy she told me that almost everything she knew about giving birth she had learnt from chatting with me, despite having already done it once herself. Second time round she did the same class I had done. I did my classes at RealBirth - they are in the third trimester as elsewhere, but they also do a single evening introductory session, which is free and that you can attend at any stage of pregnancy so you get some really good information early on. I would like to give Hannah hope. I am also European and was shocked at the level of medicalisation of the birth process in NY. I chose to give birth at Lenox Hill (rather than a birthing centre) because I felt safer having medical back-up available, but hoped not to use it.

I had no intervention (except a drip for hydration which was compulsory). The hospital staff couldn’t believe it, but it shows it is possible even in a regular hospital.

I believe I was only able to do this because I knew what I did and didn’t want (and was lucky to have an uncomplicated labour). If I hadn’t been armed with this information and therefore able to refuse various interventions, I would have had pitocin, totally unnecessarily, at the end of a short labour (the only reason I can think it was suggested was so the ob-gyn could get back to her surgery) and an episiotomy (I had no tearing without it)… and possibly more!

I have a friend in NY who has two children - one older and one younger than mine. For her first pregnancy she did a very short course that, presumably, covered the basics. When it came to her second pregnancy she told me that almost everything she knew about giving birth she had learnt from chatting with me, despite having already done it once herself. Second time round she did the same class I had done.

I did my classes at RealBirth - they are in the third trimester as elsewhere, but they also do a single evening introductory session, which is free and that you can attend at any stage of pregnancy so you get some really good information early on.

]]> By: Hannah http://prenatalyogacenter.com/blog/know-the-statistics-dont-be-one/#comment-154 Hannah Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:33:06 +0000 http://prenatalyogacenter.com/blog/?p=23#comment-154 I agree with the article in general, but wanted to add a few comments: 1) Pre-cenception appointments should include introduction of labor choices. I chosse an OB/GYN and found out later that natrual birth in a hospital in the US is almost impossible (I was born and raised in Europe and the amount of not needed interventions is very low) 2) It is very hard to actually get information where to have a natrual birth in New York. Roosevelt Birthing Center is great but most midwifes are booked way in advance. Not everyone thinks natrual birth as soon as tey see a plus sign on the home pregnacy test. 3) Education. Everything you read in pregnancy books and you hear from a lot of OB/GYN points to having your Childbirth Education Classes in the third trimester to learn how to breathe to mangage pain. But you should be educated in your first trimester what your choices are. My doc postponed the topic labor indefinetly.... Needless to say, I am very much hoping to find a midwife still! I agree with the article in general, but wanted to add a few comments:

1) Pre-cenception appointments should include introduction of labor choices. I chosse an OB/GYN and found out later that natrual birth in a hospital in the US is almost impossible (I was born and raised in Europe and the amount of not needed interventions is very low)

2) It is very hard to actually get information where to have a natrual birth in New York. Roosevelt Birthing Center is great but most midwifes are booked way in advance. Not everyone thinks natrual birth as soon as tey see a plus sign on the home pregnacy test.

3) Education. Everything you read in pregnancy books and you hear from a lot of OB/GYN points to having your Childbirth Education Classes in the third trimester to learn how to breathe to mangage pain. But you should be educated in your first trimester what your choices are. My doc postponed the topic labor indefinetly….

Needless to say, I am very much hoping to find a midwife still!

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