Patty’s Blog: “” posts

Inspiration, Information, Opportunity, Help & Hope

Read our July Birth & Parenting E-Newsletter to learn the latest news about the Center.

 

 

 

Posted by Patty Brennan on July 30, 2013 • Filed under
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Why is the U.S. cesarean rate so high?

In an updated Fact Sheet from Childbirth Connection, reasons for the the country’s current rate of 32.8% (nearly 1 in 3 birthing women!) is are considered. A number of reasons are cited including: low priority of enhancing women’s own abilities to give birth; side effects of common labor interventions; refusal to offer the informed choice of vaginal birth (e.g., for VBAC or breech births); casual attitudes about surgery and variation in professional practice style; limited awareness of harms that are more likely with cesarean section; and incentives to practice in a manner that is efficient for providers. Read more.

Our bi-weekly Birth & Parenting News Blog highlights the latest news items, research results, consumer alerts, and legislative action alerts of interest to expectant and new parents and the professionals who work them.

Posted by Patty Brennan on July 26, 2013 • Filed under
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Delayed Umbilical Cord Clamping

Study finds benefit in delaying severing of the umbilical cord. In most hospital delivery rooms, doctors routinely clamp and sever the umbilical cord less than a minute after an infant’s birth, a practice thought to reduce the risk of maternal hemorrhaging. But a new analysis has found that delaying clamping for at least a minute after birth, which allows more time for blood to move from the placenta, significantly improves iron stores and hemoglobin levels in newborns and does not increase the risks to mothers. The timing of the procedure has been controversial for years, and the new analysis adds to a substantial body of evidence suggesting that clamping often occurs too quickly after delivery. Read more.

Our bi-weekly Birth & Parenting News Blog highlights the latest news items, research results, consumer alerts, and legislative action alerts of interest to expectant and new parents and the professionals who work them.

Posted by Patty Brennan on July 24, 2013 • Filed under
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Listening to Mothers III Survey

Childbirth Connection released the results from a survey of 2,400 new mothers, Listening To Mothers III, the third in a series of studies that examines U.S. women’s maternity experiences from before birth through the postpartum period. Among many other findings, the survey reveals the overuse of risky procedures and the fact that many women feel pressured to undergo them. The survey report, full questionnaire and data briefs are available here.

Our bi-weekly Birth & Parenting News Blog highlights the latest news items, research results, consumer alerts, and legislative action alerts of interest to expectant and new parents and the professionals who work them.

Posted by Patty Brennan on July 12, 2013 • Filed under
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Educating and supporting fathers improves breastfeeding rates

A randomized controlled trial of eight public maternity hospitals in Western Australia published in the Journal of Human Lactation investigated the effects of a two-hour antenatal education session and postnatal support provided to fathers. The study found that a significantly greater number of infants of fathers who received the education and support were breastfeeding at six weeks. Read the abstract.

Our bi-weekly Birth & Parenting News Blog highlights the latest news items, research results, consumer alerts, and legislative action alerts of interest to expectant and new parents and the professionals who work them.

Posted by Patty Brennan on July 2, 2013 • Filed under
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