Ok, this blog post could go ON and ON, just so I can vent this topic.. But I'll keep it brief tonight.. I had a link filter through today that made me literally giggle and squirm in my seat..
"New Study Shows Normal Labor Takes More Time Than OBs Are Allowing For"
"Obstetricians have been trained to expect labor to progress faster than it actually does, which may be the reason for the high rate of inductions and c-section deliveries in the US according to a new report. The study published inObstetrics & Gynecology used information from over 62,000 normal, natural births and figured out the average labor time for dilation from 4 to 5 cm, 5 to 6 cm, and over 6 cm. Most cases of "failure to progress," which is the number one reason for inductions, occur during this part of the first stage of labor."
"The authors found that women who had given birth before progress much quicker once they reach the 6 cm mark than women who were giving birth for the first time. The progression from 4 to 5 cm and 5 to 6 cm went much slower for both groups of women than earlier studies have shown. The established obstetrics benchmark based on those earlier studies created an expectation for a much quicker progression through active labor than what this report found. The researchers also pointed out that spinal nerve anesthetics also may be delaying the second stage by 29%, with an average labor time of 3.6 hours with an epidural and 2.8 hours without it.
The authors proposed an updated model of labor progression for new moms based off their research. They feel that, if OBs were to follow their new model and allow labor to continue for longer in the lead up to the 6 cm mark, it may reduce the number of interventions, c-sections, and subsequent repeat cesarean deliveries in the US." (Emphasis added by me)
Here is the link the above was shared from: http://www.guerillahealthreport.com/post.php?id=442#.TvvqjZzM1k1.facebook
To read further on the matter;
http://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/Abstract/2010/12000/Contemporary_Patterns_of_Spontaneous_Labor_With.8.aspx
I just have to do a little dance here.. Because midwives, have been saying this forever! There are no time limits on birth, Labor isn't a textbook, and OB's are impatient(as are many moms-to-be). When I have heard women say; "I just wasn't progressing!" or "I reached X cm, and it just stopped" well, we can explain this.. That is NORMAL. Generally (some first time momma's more so) "plateau" so to speak, where there is a longer time between stages. 4-5, 6-7/8. Perhaps mom is still on her back, not moving around helping baby to drop down, the list is endless.. :) (and that will be a whole other blog, but its midnight and I have to get up early, so for time's sake, humor me)
Anyway, my whole point, is that with "modern medicine" the physicians, scientists; think they are so far ahead, that really they are behind.. Midwives(who have been around since the beginning of time) KNOW labor is not "by the books" nor are they/we clock watchers.
{as a general disclaimer I won't say that, sometimes intervention, is needed, just not abused} So here is the long way around to the end of this post, Labor is about mom and baby working together to reach a common goal. Not mom and baby and.. XYZ... Labor is work, hard work. As long as things are progressing well, heart tones are good, everyone is doing well, labor goes on, it can take a few moments to several days! IT'S LABOR! I get really erked when I hear about time schedules.. Induction/c-section dates.. Heaven forbid anyone let baby alone.. Babies are born when they are READY. (another study done recently, PROVING that babies DO decide, when babies lungs are mature they send off a hormone/signal informing mom's body to contract!) I'll post that link here when I filter through them all!
Healthy moms, Healthy babies, need to be left alone! They don't need to have their autonomy taken from them!
Glad "modern" medicine is catching up with the rest of us..
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