Dangers of Prenatal Testing

Channel 9's Sunday program has a very interesting video footage on the "Dangers of Prenatal Testing"

An ultrasound screening test at 12 weeks is now considered a routine part of pregnancy, but an eminent British Radiologist claims the test, designed to pick up chromosomal abnormalities like Down syndrome, is highly inaccurate.

In a controversial interview with the Sunday program, Dr Hylton Meire claims that the screening test known as a Nuchal Translucency, has a false positive rate of 95%, and that healthy babies are put at risk of miscarriage from more invasive tests to confirm or deny the original suspicion. He argues up to three healthy babies die for every one Downs syndrome baby that goes to term. Read On...

Scared for Life

The Sydney Morning Herald recently put Caesarean Birth's as a major headline for more than a week. As the caesarean rate fast approaches 1:3 births - it was a timely response from a major newspaper. If you happened to miss the headlines you can read about them on Sydney Morning Herald's Website. They have also uploaded a very powerful video interview with two women who's caesarean births went very wrong.

Awesome VBAC story

I was reading my emails this morning and was sent a link to the site One True Media - which I wasn't aware off. It is similar to YouTube so I thought I'd check it out. The link was to a short video of Theresa's journey to a successful vaginal birth after three caesareans - it is one of the most powerful birth stories I've come across - so I thought I'd share it with you.

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

The worst intervention in the birth room ...

My recent experience working as a midwife in the hospital system has fastened my belief that the worse intervention in the birth room is the clock. When working with women in the community - there is no clock, there is no pressure and there is no unnecessary intervention. The events of labour unfold as nature intended. This is in stark contrast with birth in hospital. Every aspect of labour is MANAGED according to the clock. For example a women's membranes break the clock starts ticking. Often times she may be offered an induction of labour straight away or alternatively allowed 12 to 24 hours to establish labour or then have the induction of labour (and all it's associated problems).

A women's progress in labour is managed by the clock - the expected dilatation is 1cm per hour or her labour is considered abnormal and her labour sped up with Syntocinon. There is no quality evidence that supports a woman must dilate at a certain rate and in fact speeding up a labour unnecessary is quite harmful. Syntocinon causes the uterus to contract more painfully than a natural labour - increasing the use of pain medications (and their inherent effects). Syntocinon often causes too frequent contractions - depriving the baby of oxygen causing unnecessary fetal distress. One of the most catastrophic problems syntocinon causes in an increase in postpartum haemorrhage and the associated morbidity and occasionally mortality that a haemorrhage can cause.

While Syntocinon, in a few causes, will assist a woman to achieve a vaginal birth where her labour is truly prolonged. In most cases it is used unnecessary, causing a cascade of intervention.

Get rid of the clock in the birth room and allow women to labour under their own steam.

First Post for 2008

I can't believe I've left it this long to add to my blog. I must say that it was exhausting organizing the screening of The Business of Being Born - there was more work than I'd anticipated. The feedback from the screening was very positive - I'd love to make the documentary more widely available. It looks like the DVD will be released in March 2008 - which is great news. I'll keep you posted.

Christmas was fantastic, I enjoyed time with my family doing Christmas activities (like taking my younger children into the city - they are seen in this photo riding Santa's train).

I continue to work at the local hospital in the birth unit. It is challenging as intervention rate is unnecessarily high. The system has lost sight of what normal birth is and complication rate is high. It is rewarding though as I feel like I make a difference and I have access to lots of education programs.

Parramatta screening of "The Business of Being Born"

I am hosting a sneak preview screening of "The Business of Being Born" by Ricky Lake and Abby Epstein with Dr Alphia Possamai-Inesedy. It is a not to be missed opportunity.

Venue: University of Western Sydney, Parramatta. The evening commences at 7.00pm.

Doors open 30 minutes beforehand, please arrive at least 20 minutes early to avoid a last minute rush and interruption to the beginning of the movie.

Prior to the screening Jane Palmer and Alphia Possamai-Inesedy will present a short introduction. The movie (running time 85 minutes) will be followed by Question and Answer time.

A light supper is available after the movie.

Babies in arms are welcome. Children may find some parts of the film upsetting.

Tickets are available from me (Jane) by email jane@pregnancy.com.au or phoning 02 9873 1750. Tickets will be available at the door. Tickets $12 each.

Homebirth Conference

This was the must have photo of the homebirth conference - to have your photo taken with the legendary Sheila Kitzinger was an opportunity too good to miss. Sheila is such a gracious woman and an inspiration. The very fist book I ever read on pregnancy and birth was written by Sheila. Also pictured in this photo is my friend and fellow independent midwife Robyn Dempsey (in the middle).

I had expected to write about the homebirth conference much sooner than this - but time has just gotten away (now that I'm working with women again and doing some casual shifts at the local hospital).

I must say I really enjoyed the conference. I just immersed myself in the atmosphere and listened to the speakers. It was fantastic networking and catching up with people I hadn't seen for ages. I have come away from the conference inspired. I have put together a slide show of the conference I've taken on my trusty digital camera - I hope you enjoy them.


Snapshots of the Homebirth Conference 2007

For me the highlight of the conference was the Gala Event and watching the documentary "The Business of Being Born". The only down side to the evening was some of the comments from the audience directed at Ricky Lake - they were inappropriate and I felt embarrassed (as did many people seated around me). It saddens me that homebirthers cannot join together in a united voice instead this dissenting one.