Waterbirth under attack

[Guest guest]

Please post this email on as many groups and lists as possible. We MUST TAKE

ACTION TODAY!!

 

Waterbirth has been under attack, primarily from the Pediatric community. One

of the more serious attacks was generated and published in the Journal

Pediatrics in October 2003.

There are a number of articles in other journals, including the Journal of

OB/GYN, which quote that 2003 commentary as science or “evidence.” Repeatedly

the Journal Pediatrics has been negative and condemning of waterbirth, including

having the very editor of Pediatrics state that waterbirth is a " fad, should go

away, and is ridiculous. "

 

Many providers and parents, including pediatricians and the American College of

Nurse Midwives, have tried to respond with their own commentaries, but

Pediatrics refuses to print anything remotely positive about waterbirth. Enough

is enough!!

 

The front line continues with a recent (May 2005) commentary in Pediatrics from

the US Committee on Fetus and Infant. 14 doctors put their name on this

document which concludes:

 

“The safety and efficacy of underwater birth for the newborn has not been

established. There is no convincing evidence of benefit to the neonate but some

concern for serious harm. Therefore, underwater birth should be considered an

experimental procedure that should not be performed except within the context of

an appropriately designed RCT (randomized controlled trial – BH comment added)

after informed parental consent. “

 

If you want an entire reprint of all the Pediatric negative articles, just email

us.

We will be putting links up to them on " Articles Page " in the next few days.

Would you take the time to send an email or letter? to:

Daniel G. Batton, MD, FAAP

Department of Pediatrics

William Beaumont Hospital

3601 W 13 Mile Rd, Royal Oak, MI 48073.

E-mail: dgbatton

Please tell this group of physicians that waterbirth was the best possible means

for your baby to be born and that your child is healthier, happier and better

adjusted than babies who bodies are filled with drugs at birth, separated from

their mothers or pulled out surgically or by mechanical means. You will know

what to say.

 

If you are a provider, doula, childbirth educator who knows and has seen the

incredible benefits to mothers and babies, please send letters or emails as

well. It is time to take direct political action.

 

Emails should also be sent to the editor of Pediatrics, Jerold F. Lucey, who is

in Burlington, Vermont at: jerold.lucey

 

The denial of waterbirth must stop and we know that you can help make that

happen.

Please send us a cc to :pedseffort

when you are able to send your passionate and " evidence based " response.

 

Please also consider becoming a member of our organization so that we can

continue to provide services for couples who want to choose this Gentlest of

Gentle Birth Choices. Parent membership is only $35 per year and a little will

go a long way to help us serve the world community with information, resources,

support and education.

 

Many Blessings,

Barbara Harper, waterbirth mom to Sam (20) and Abe (18)

Exc. Director: Waterbirth International

Founder: Waterbirth Technologies, Inc.

Author of Gentle Birth Choices, revised edition – due out June 2005.

www.waterbirth.org

503-673-0026 - office

800-641-2229 - toll free

503-710-7975 – cell phone

We have been helping women get into Hot Water since 1988!!

 

 

Kelly Meerdink

 

If it didn't have a mommy and a daddy or grow from the earth, then don't eat it!