VBAC climate in Wilmington, NC

Just out of curiosity I did a Google search for VBAC in the area where I'm currently living: Wilmington, NC. What did Google come up with? Not much. I found city-data website forums in which a woman was looking for a VBAC-friendly provider and hospital and the responses from other women were (to paraphrase) "Why would you want that, I had another C-section and my babies turned out fine." There is a ICAN chapter 1 hour away in Jacksonville, but the contact email isn't working and there is no ICAN yahoo group in the area. I also emailed the only legal midwives in the area (through New Hanover Hospital) to ask what the VBAC climate was like here. That was over a month ago and I have received no response. I do know that in North Carolina Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) aka direct-entry midwives are illegal here and it is also illegal to give birth in your home. So what is the VBAC climate like here? I'd say not very favorable. Let's hope I don't get pregnant while living here because the outcomes might not be so good!

South Florida C-section rate 51%!

51% C-section rate in South Florida! Ridiculous! It was 40% when I had my C-section in 2006.

http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/13/1527325/how-to-avoid-a-c-section-in-south.html

Mothers Who Opt for Breast Milk, Not Breast-Feeding

Mothers Who Opt for Breast Milk, Not Breast-Feeding

After weeks of crying from my baby not latching, the tears, the frustration, and the depression: pumping is what I turned to as an alternative. Breastfeeding is best, but if it's not working for you, shouldn't pumping breast milk be an alternative? It's an alternative that no one talks about. Some women really can't, or really don't want to breastfeed. But the baby can still get the nourishing breast milk! I started off pumping when my son was in the NICU and continued to pump when he wouldn't feed from my breast. Thank God I had this as an alternative! Plus, I could save the milk and have other people feed him too!

(Although I think it's kind of funny that the hands free pumping bras look like torture devices!)

Very Pregnant Woman in Walmart

When I walked into Walmart last night I saw a very pregnant woman (probably 8 or 9 months) walking with her 3 or 4 year old son. The reason why I even noticed her is because I heard a groan and a sharp inhale and turned around. I looked at her as if to ask "Are you alright?" and she gave me the "why are you staring at me haven't you ever seen a pregnant woman?" glare. So I left her alone and went on my merry way, but throughout my whole shopping experience I kept wondering if she was having Braxton-Hicks contractions or if she was in early labor. And I fantasized about her going into labor and me taking her to the hospital. I so want to do this thing, to help pregnant women, that my mind goes on all sorts of fantasies. I imagined timing her contractions and helping her breathe, making her comfortable, and comforting her son, calling her spouse or loved one, and being the hero. I think I was meant to do this, otherwise I'd leave these poor random pregnant women I run into alone.

On Desiring a Non-Surgical Birth

Gina Crosley-Concoran puts it's so well, the emotion in her voice when she describes wanting a normal birth and not wanting to having major abdominal surgery to deliver her child. Wow, this could be me saying this: Listen here and read the article.

The Feminist Breeder's Radio Blog

VBACist Gina Crosley-Concoran's coverage of the NIH VBAC Conference.

NIH VBAC Conference

I love that the National Institute of Health is talking about the safety of VBACs. Found a great "VBACtivsit" website and am listening to her radio show from the conference, it's fantastic.