Revised US Guides on GBS

In the April 2011 issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists will share the revised guidelines for the prevention/treatment of GBS or Group B Streptococcal Disease.

GBS is a relatively common, asymptomatic bacteria carried by women (approx. 10-30% of expectant mothers) in the vagina or rectum.  If transmitted to newborns (approx 2% of newborns infected), it can cause infections such as sepsis (blood), lungs, brain, or spinal cord.  Nearly 5% of those infected newborns tragically die.  It is important to note that when the guidelines were published in 1996, there has been between 70-80% decrease int he rate of early onset GBS disease.

Summarizing the new CDC (U.S. Centers for Disease Control) guides for GBS, the ACOG Committee Opinion #485 acknowledges the screening between 35-37 weeks of pregnancy and the antibiotic treatment for women with preterm labor or premature rupture of membranes (water breaking).  Updated guides include antibiotic treatment for women plus regimens for women with penicillin allergy, and updated management plans for newborns at risk.

To see the CDC Guidelines or download them as a PDF, click here.

The College of Midwives of Manitoba (Canada) recently updated their Guidelines for Management of Group B Strep.  Click here to see their Guidelines.

Speaking the Truth Often Unpopular But the Right Thing To Do!

I have been a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator a long time.  A very long time.  Since 1980.

I have always prided myself in giving the most recent, evidence-based information to my clients, even before it was in vogue and "evidence-based" was a popular term.  My clients had all of their options before them, ready to make choices made with full, unbiased information.  I watched my voice inflection and body language to not give away my (few) biases.  I didn't want to sway them.  It was their birth.

Because I gave the most current, evidence-based information, I was not popular with some.  Mainly because what I spoke was sometimes contrary to "the way we've always done it" or contrary to "our policy".  Even when I would show the professionals telling me those things that the evidence was in their own journals, it didn't seem to matter.  I cannot teach what isn't accurate.  I have to tell the truth.

I have a binder in my office with evidence-based articles.  I have two websites full of the evidence-based information.  I still believe that providing my clients with the current research, evidence-based information and letting them make their informed decisions is the right thing to do.

And I hope I continue to teach and share the research for another 30+ years!  

Our History is our Strength!

March is National Women's History Month.

Now you have to admit, few other professions have as many women involved as the birth profession.

Who are the women in birth that have inspired you...captivated you...motivated you...encouraged you?

Please list them below..and I'll give a tally at the end of the month!

Remember, if you are reading this on my Facebook page, please go to www.childbirthtoday.blogspot.com 

to reply.

The Essential Ingredient: Doula

(If you are seeing this on Facebook, please go to www.childbirthtoday.blogspot.com to view the video!)

In case you still have not seen this new video from DONA International, here it is again.  What a great video to download to your laptop and show in childbirth education class, when you are talking to care providers/hospitals about doulas and to your own doula clients!  It is only 14 minutes in length but says so much!

Congrats DONA International!

What If.......

What if instead of "natural childbirth" being unmedicated and no interventions, they called medicated and interventive birth (what most women see in the hospital setting) "unnatural".

Just askin'.

What Do The Jolly Green Giant and Human Babies Have in Common?

I was struck by a commercial on television last night.  


It was for Green Giant vegetables.  


Green Giant says that we don't determine when veggies are ready, they do. 

Why can't the same be said for babies? 

Why are more and more babies being born too early, in spite of the research to the contrary?

Why are more babies being induced before their "due date"?

Why are more babies being born by cesarean, again, in spite of the research?

This is by far an epidemic.  If there was one iconic person leading a media blitz to cause this harm to babies, I am relatively certain he would be hunted down and charged with some crime.


But this hit me like a lightening bolt last night.  Obviously we care more about vegetables than our own children.


When you really sit back and let the impact of this set in, I am sure you will be as nauseated as I am.

We are intelligent humans.  We can do better.  We must do better. Now.