The Cries of the Children

• The national average of expectant parents attending childbirth classes ~ less than 27%.
• Inspite of increased interventions during labor and birth, the US ranks well below other nations in infant mortality/morbidity and maternal mortality/morbidity. In other words, our intervention rate is not commensurate with positive pregnancy outcomes.
• Babies born too early by induction or by cesarean ~ their lungs not developed.
• Newborn reflexes delayed due to the medications used during labor and birth.
• Industrial additives (plastic) found in infant formula that our babies drink.

Based on the facts above, the way in which we care for the newest members of our society, before and after their births, in no way reflects evidence-based care. The latest assault on our intelligence is that there is an acceptable amount of industrial plastic additives, melamine, that we can put in infant formula to give to babies who have just been born.

On one hand we speak of Dr. Harvey Karp's research about the fourth trimester and how babies should be in an external womb to nurture their continually developing nervous system. He identifies countries where they do give their babies the nurturing and intense caring and how these babies thrive and are content, without "colic" and crying and fussing.

Yet on the other hand, we allow off-label use of Cytotec, an ulcer drug, to be used to induce labor before the baby's readiness, we bombard the developing fetus with a myriad of drugs during a difficult physical time for the baby (labor) and then we feed our newborns formula laced with plastic resin.

In short, I feel we are teetering on the sharp edge of losing respect and value for life.

In the wise words of Suzanne Arms, "If we hope to create a non-violent world where respect and kindess replace fear and hatred. We must begin with how we treat each other at the beginning of life. For that is where our deepest patterns are set. From these roots grow fear and alienation ~or love and trust."

Before it is too late, pledge with me to make 2009 a year that we take birth back from those who would do more harm than good.