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Mary Birch does not deny that its C-section rate is high
Listen - for those of you who are concerned that SMB was unfairly represented, its worth noting that THE HOSPITAL WAS OFFERED THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS ARTICLE. THEY DECLINED. If they feel unfairly represented then that is their own fault. The article easily could have reflected something entirely different had the administration offered the reporter the interview and facility tour that she requested. If you blame the reporter for being one-sided, then you've done her a disservice. Next? It has been said and said again - the "natural" birthing community (which is not a bunch of hippies) is MORE concerned with women being offered the opportunity to give INFORMED CONSENT. If you know ALL the risks and the secondary effects of the decisions you make, and you still want the induction/augmentation/c-section, then bully for you. Women who receive treatment without being fully informed often feel misled, lied to, deceived... and in some cases its as severe as feeling assaulted. I supported a mother who experienced an AROM without consent while having a vaginal exam during labor. I cannot tell you how violated she feels to this day. She has every right to feel betrayed by her care provider. This is an issue of American OB's not being held to the standards of "FIRST DO NO HARM". Too many operate for their own convenience and don't honor their patients. Too many poo-poo women who experience this only a few times in their life and who understandably have questions and concerns about what they are experiencing. Birth is natural. It has happened without OB's and without surgery for centuries and the human race is still here. The US spends MORE money than any other country on birth. Why are we not at the TOP of the list for positive maternal outcomes? A c-section in the US costs an averages of 12-15k. A vaginal birth averages 7-9k. Despite spending the most we are 42nd in maternal mortality rates. 41 countries do a better job than we do and they spend less money. WHY IS THAT? How do you justify the increase in c-section rates and zero change in maternal mortality? This is about educating the public. This is about informed consent. This is about not suffering at the hands of physicians who want your birth to fit their standards and slide into a neat little box. Birth is unpredictable. Birth is unique every single time. Birth is messy. Birth takes its time. Research your doctor. Research your hospital. Hire a doula. Know before you go.— December 17, 2011 10:14 p.m.