Author Archive
Childbirth and Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Hello, friends of midwives! Today we have a guest post from Elizabeth Carrollton of drugwatch.com. She is writing about an issue — pelvic organ prolapse — that is very important for childbearing women.
Pregnancy and childbirth are the leading causes of pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Fortunately, POP is completely avoidable and/or manageable with a focus on pelvic health and pelvic muscle strength. In best case scenarios, women would focus on their pelvic health before they ever become pregnant; however, it is never too late to prevent or mitigate the symptoms of POP.
Pelvic organ prolapse is a condition in which the connective tissues and muscles in the pelvic region become so weak that pelvic organs begin to shift out of place. Pregnancy and childbirth are the most prevalent factors for developing POP because these processes stretch pelvic tissues and muscles far beyond their normal size and shape. While pelvic tissues are designed to return to their normal size and shape, they can remain weakened and slightly stretched. There are other factors which can contribute to POP including:
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Genetic predisposition
- Previous pelvic injury
- Hysterectomy
When any of these risk factors are combined, it presents additional strain on pelvic tissues and can cause increased prolapse symptoms.
Natural Methods for Preventing Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Pelvic organ prolapse can usually be prevented with proper focus on overall health, as well as pelvic tissue strength and tone.
Preventing POP prior to pregnancy
Women who are trying to get pregnant can give themselves a head start on pelvic health by maintaining a healthy weight, quitting unhealthy habits such as smoking, and doing exercises which are known to improve abdominal and pelvic muscle tone. Kegel exercises can help to strengthen the muscles in the upper vagina, urethra, and pelvic floor. It is a good idea to do them daily because the stronger the muscles are prior to pregnancy, the more they will be able to support ensuing changes. Yoga and Pilates are also good exercises as they focus on core strength, which can provide further support to pelvic muscles.
Preventing POP during pregnancy
Most women are familiar with pregnancy-related incontinence. As the uterus grows, the baby gains more weight, and a tremendous pressure is placed on the bladder and urethra. Research has shown that daily Kegel exercises can make a significant difference in preventing incontinence which routinely accompanies the third trimester. It also helps women get into the habit of pelvic floor exercises which should be continued through the postpartum period.
Preventing POP after pregnancy
For women who have not already made a habit of pelvic floor exercises, this is the time to take action. Preventative measures can help postpartum tissues to heal faster and become stronger, which can prevent POP later on. Women should consider the following treatments:
- Postpartum massage
- Kegel exercises
- Pelvic physical therapy
Why is Prevention Important?
While mild cases of POP may not require any treatment, moderate to severe cases are often treated with surgical interventions that may come with considerable health risks. One of the common surgical procedures utilizes a device called transvaginal mesh. This mesh product has been linked to severe health complications and has been the subject of multiple transvaginal mesh recalls and lawsuits. The more women work to prevent the onset of POP, the less likely they will be to require surgical intervention. Please be sure to always discuss all treatment options, as well as their side effects, with your doctor.
Elizabeth Carrollton writes to inform the general public about defective medical devices and dangerous drugs for Drugwatch.com.
Dept of Labor is requesting thoughts from breastfeeding employees
Spread the word:
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has posted a Request for Information (RFI) from breastfeeding employees, employers, and knowledgeable breastfeeding advocates to help them better understand:
* Specific space and time problems
* Specific space and time solutions
the link directs you to all the info and you can even submit any comments on line!
Deadline 2/22/11
Women Speak Out About What’s Gone Wrong with the United States Birthing System
Check out this awesome article by Tabby Biddle on the state of birth today in America.
Because so many women don’t have an image of what a natural, empowered birth looks like, there is a lot of fear surrounding the act giving birth. Accordingly, the majority of women give their inner authority over to doctors in their birth process. They trust the doctors more than themselves. The problem with this is that many women aren’t aware that the majority of her doctor’s medical decisions are being made today for monetary and legal reasons, and not necessarily for the good of her and her baby.
Nursing: it’s not just for eating!
Ever get scolded for being your baby’s “pacifer”? Here‘s a lovely little article encouraging mama’s to go ahead and nurse even when it’s not “snacktime”.
For-profit hospitals performing more C-sections
Read the article here.
Just a spoonful of sugar?
Research in The Lancet warns that existing medical practice does not work and may cause brain damage
A recent study published in The Lancet has shown that the tiny amounts of sucrose given to newborns to relieve pain during invasive procedures in fact is not as effective as previously shown. Earlier studies used newborn facial expressions as indicative of relaxation in response to sucrose administration, but the new study analyzed brain wave and spinal activity and found babies still feel the pain. The researchers acknowledge that a wider scope of study is required to further confirm results but are suggesting that sucrose not be continued to be used for pain relief.
Majority of Caesareans Peformed BEFORE LABOR STARTS
Not only do 32% of labors end in a Caesarean delivery, but recent data* shows that for most of those deliveries, mama doesn’t go into labor first. Remember when we were shocked that the Cesarean rate was 1 in 4?
Worries about the ever-increasing Caesarean rate led the National Institutes of Health to form a Consortium on Safe Labor, which performed a detailed analysis of electronic records from 228,668 births at 19 hospitals in the United States from 2002 to 2008. The study is the first to analyze how often Caesareans were performed before women went into labor (more than half the time) and how often after labor had begun.
…
The main reason for a Caesarean was a prior Caesarean. But in women who have not had Caesareans before, one factor that may increase the risk is the use of drugs to induce labor. The practice has been increasing, and the study found that induced labor, compared with spontaneous labor, was twice as likely to result in a Caesarean.
In the study, 44 percent of the women who were trying vaginal delivery had their labor induced. When Caesareans were done after induction, half were performed before the woman’s cervix had dilated to six centimeters, “suggesting that clinical impatience may play a role,” the authors wrote. Full dilation is 10 centimeters, and a Caesarean before six centimeters may be too soon, the researchers said.
All the more reason to consider a homebirth, I say 😉
*apologies for linking to an article you have to register to read
Whip ’em out!
Enjoy this celebrity video as a silly way to end National Breastfeeding Month.
Kangaroo care revives a premie believed not to have survived labor
Grab a box of tissues and check out this amazing story of how an Australian mother saved her premature son’s life with skin-to-skin touch, snuggling, kissing, and loving words.
Her husband added: ‘Luckily I’ve got a very strong, very smart wife. ‘She instinctively did what she did. If she hadn’t done that, Jamie probably wouldn’t be here.’
Massachusetts Friends of Midwives Blog 