Saturday, February 16, 2008

Lacking Evidence

On February 6, 2008, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists issued a press release advising expectant mothers against home birth and births with CPMs (certified professional midwives). Ignoring the fact that 22 US states allow births with CPM and the facts that the US infant mortality and morbidity is still ranked in the low 20's (meaning that 20+ countries have birth outcomes better than the US), they propose to keep the management of birth the same.

This press release was without footnotes or evidence based references. It would be interesting to see where the basis for their statements came from. This press release is also somewhat opposite of the latest issue by their sister organization, AWHONN's (Association of Women's Health, Obstetrics and Neonatal Nursing) journal: Journal of Obstetric and Gynocology, Neonatal Nursing. In the January/February 2008 issue, several writers demonstrate the evidence based research FOR normal birth and the choice more and more women are making for a more normal AND natural birthing experience.

The tide has been ready to turn. Now it is time...in shadow of the videos "The Business of Being Born" and "Pregnant in America" the change in the conversation about birth has begun!

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