Not all birth advocacy comes from the usual suspects!

Meet Top RN to BSN: Your guide to the best RN to BSN programs.  This website serves all nurses and nurses to be with the means to find BSN programs and also do some education.  I was contacted by the website’s Linda Harris.  RN to BSN has created an infographic – Bringing Birth Back: The Rise of Cesareans and the Movement to Safely Prevent Them.

The infographic has contains the latest evidence-based information including the newest  US cesarean rate percentages and the WHO studies that mention a recommended percentage of 10-15%.  The complications for both mother and baby are examined, although missing is information such as the grieving process many mothers go through after having a cesarean birth and the dangers of cesareans for future generations by changing the epigenetics.   The infographic mentions “how we got there” and hints at elective cesareans on the part of doctors and women, as well as the threat of litigation.  There is even a state by state graphic which correctly lists hospital cesarean rates from 7%-70%.

The graphic does include the “6 cm is the new 4cm” information and cautions against early diagnosis of labor arrest.  Induction timing is also a focus, referring somewhat to the “Go the full 40 weeks”.  One of the biggest positives of the graphic is the attention to VBACS and the effects of (birth and postpartum) doula care.

While I understand that an infographic is a short snapshot of time, I do wish they had included the emotions ~ grieving and possible links to postpartum depression.  While the resources include the CDC, ACOG, DONA , March of Dimes, and Childbirth Connection,  a reference to the importance of childbirth education and the role it can play in cesarean prevention would have been nice.  The only reference to childbirth education came as a quote from then Lamaze International President Michele Ondeck, siting the ACOG recommended practice changes as “This is a Game Changer”. 

Truly, infographics are in the future of education.  Like handouts, infographics can be disseminated to a larger audience of individuals and create on-the-spot learning.  I applaud Toprntobsn.com for educating nursing students.  This is one area where childbirth educators need to focus on for implementation of best practice.

Check out the infographic for yourself:

Source: TopRNtoBSN.com/