In moon represents woman at her fullest: pregnant. After that, though, comes the blue moon, the postpartum period and the first phase of new motherhood. With this comes the new role of mother (or multiple times a mother) recovery, adjustment and an entirely new life. Babylune started out as a blog about this first phase of new motherhood, as an information resource for the recovery from childbirth.

And, it has become a lot more. While I still seek to fulfill my mission, this blog is just as much about the woman who writes it as it is about reproductive health. After all, motherhood is about more than just giving birth or sharing your life with children.

It’s about you. It’s about who you are, what you choose to do with your life and what you need. I think, those are all important things to write about and discuss. What about you?

moon image souce

Post from: Babylune

Naturally, I immediately thought of you. Remember, if there are any issues I haven’t discussed to help you recover from childbirth, please let me know.

Post from: Babylune

The controvery stems from second-stage labour cesarians that are often performed due to “failure to progress.”

Apparently, trainees and experienced doctors have very different ideas of what constitutes a “failure to progress.”

• A UK study found, that “a consultant obstetrician who performed a vaginal assessment was more likely to reverse a decision made by an obstetric trainee for a caesarean and proceed to a safely conducted instrumental delivery”.
• From the woman’s point of view, a successful vaginal birth makes labour seem worthwhile and is better for her health. There can be complications with caesareans: recovery from major surgery takes time, and it is less likely that the mother will have a normal birth next time, say the authors. But, they continue, “without increases in junior doctors’ experience and recruitment into obstetrics, the problems with second stage caesareans will rise”.

I feel kind of guilty for believing that the “too posh to push” rule was the single reason behind the rising rate of c-sections. Obviously, I may think I know what it happening among mothers, but I have absolutely no idea what is happening between doctors!

Post from: Babylune

Having the opportunity to go VBAC is becoming more and more difficult in the US. According to an item on MedPage, fewer doctors allow patients to attempt a VBAC due to legal malpractice concerns. However, even though fewer VBACs are attempted, the lives of both women and their infants aren’t any safer:

• “Neonatal mortality rates per 1,000 live births for attempted VBAC deliveries were no different than repeat cesarean delivery rates among neonates weighing ≥ 1,500 g in study period, 1996 to 1999 or 2000 to 2002,” the study said.

It probably is in the best interests of women to find a hospital that will support a VBac attempt since recovery from a c-section is a little more complicated than recovery from a vaginal birth. But like most things, balance is important. While you want a facility that has a great record in terms of successful VBAC rates, no one should feel like a failure if a second c-section is called for. All that really matters is a healthy new mother and baby.

Post from: Babylune