| Today's world is changing. Pregnancy has slowly been | | | | understand the knowledge of and trust the body's |
| converted into a sickness that requires medical | | | | inner wisdom. Each has a commitment to supporting |
| intervention and surgical treatment. Women have | | | | non-traumatic and non-invasive birthing procedures and |
| blindly accepted this propaganda and many are now | | | | are trained in assisting expectant mothers. |
| opting for Cesarean birth instead of natural childbirth. | | | | Why a Chiropractor? |
| The Public Citizen Health Research Group in | | | | The duration of labor can be shortened with visits to |
| Washington, D.C. has estimated that half of the nearly | | | | the chiropractor. The alignment of the pelvis can |
| 1 million Cesareans performed every year are | | | | influence the progress of labor, either negatively or |
| medically unnecessary. That means that 500,000 | | | | positively. When the pelvis is in proper alignment, it is |
| women per year are having severe medically | | | | easier for the baby to move into position and into the |
| unnecessary surgery! | | | | world. |
| It is evident that we are doing a very poor job in | | | | Medical doctors commonly send their patients to the |
| educating and protecting the safety of our expectant | | | | chiropractor if the baby is in a breech position. |
| mothers. Most of these Cesareans could have been | | | | Midwives are more likely to use this technique than |
| avoided with education, and appropriate care during | | | | obstetricians. Chiropractic techniques can put the hips |
| pregnancy, labor, and delivery. | | | | and pelvis in proper alignment, allowing the baby to turn. |
| Clearly, there are times when a Cesarean is | | | | This can help women prevent cesarean birth. |
| necessary; however, Cesareans increase the risk to | | | | Choose Wisely |
| both mothers and babies. | | | | It is important to realize that the choices you make |
| Some of the risks for mother include: | | | | throughout pregnancy will play a significant role in the |
| • Infection | | | | outcome of the birth. Although many are frightened |
| • Increased blood loss | | | | about giving birth, try to remember that it is very natural |
| • Decreased bowel function | | | | to do so. |
| • Respiratory complications | | | | You may want to try some of these suggestions to |
| • Longer hospital stay and recovery time | | | | help make your pregnancy enjoyable and something |
| • Reactions to anesthesia | | | | to remember. |
| • Risk of additional surgery | | | | · Educate yourself. Read books and attend as many |
| Complications for baby include: | | | | workshops as you can find. |
| • Premature birth | | | | · Spend the time to prepare a birthing plan. Discuss |
| • Breathing problems | | | | your birthing plan with your midwife or doctor and |
| • Low APGAR scores | | | | submit copies to your hospital or birth center. |
| • Fetal injury | | | | · Interview more than one care provider. Ask key |
| What can you do to avoid Cesarean Surgery? | | | | questions and see how your probing influences their |
| | | | attitude. Are they defensive or are they pleased by |
| The care provider you choose to help you give birth | | | | your interest? |
| will be one of the key way to avoid a cesarean | | | | · Tour more than one birth facility. Note their |
| section that isn't necessary. Health conscious women | | | | differences and ask about their cesarean rate, VBAC |
| are looking forward to more than just a scheduled | | | | etc. |
| procedure. They are looking for providers who | | | | · Become aware of your rights as a pregnant |
| understand the normal function of the body and its | | | | woman. |
| natural healing abilities. They are looking for doctors | | | | · Find a labor support person. Interview more than |
| who they can share this intimate life experience with, | | | | one. A recent medical journal article showed that labor |
| without them turning it into a medical procedure. | | | | support could significantly reduce the risk of Cesarean. |
| Who should we consider? | | | | · Help ensure that you and your baby are both |
| Some of the best health care providers to interview | | | | healthy by eating a well-balanced diet. |
| and consider are chiropractors and midwives. Both | | | | |