Activistas

Do Caesarean Mamas Pay More for Healthcare?

Health care these days is so ridiculously complicated - at least for me.  And as someone who is about to step into the entirely different world of non-employer-based health care for the very first time, I am rather overwhelmed by its complexity and shortcomings.  So it was with great interest  - and a little fear - that I read a recent NYT article about women who have had Ceasareans paying higher premiums for health care.  Why?  Oh, 'cause they might have another and cost more!!  Why oh why am I not surprised?

So. I'm picturing this:  You get a Caesarean, then you leave your job (where if you're lucky you get benefits!).  Now you need to buy health care outside of an employer-protected risk pool, so pre-existing conditions really matter (that pesky problem with our health care system - if you're ill you just might be too ill to cover!).  And if a Caesarean is a pre-existing condition, well, you pay more.  Yikes.  What do you think, mamas?  Fair?  Worried?  Happened to you?

Postpartum Depression: Legislation in the Works

Postpartum depression is something that touches most of us parents in one way or another - through personal experience or as a partner, friend, or family member.  And while this is an important issue, you might wonder why we're talking about it here on Activistas.  Action, mamas, action.  There's legislation that needs our support.  The Melanie Blocker-Stokes Postpartum Depression and Care Act would support research into this widespread and often devastating illness.  It was introduced shortly after a new mama committed suicide in 2001 and it still. hasn't. passed. 

Support More Research: If you think this legislation is a good idea, be sure to let your representatives in Congress know.  That's how they know if an issue is important to their constituents.  If you don't tell 'em, they don't know.  If you tell them often and in a LOUD VOICE, they're less likely to forget.  Just like when my husband tells me he can't read my mind.  Neither can the Oregon delegation, apparently! So speak up, mamas, for yourself, your friends, and all the mamas-to-be among us who might suffer less because of this bill, which has stalled and needs a lift.

The Business of Being Born: Own It. Rent It. Watch It.

We all really enjoyed getting together this winter to watch and discuss the film The Business of Being Born.  If you missed our winter showings, now  - for a mere $50 - you can watch it at home or even have your own house party!   A portion of DVD proceeds are being donated to the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services.  Its mission is to promote a wellness model of maternity care that will improve birth outcomes and substantially reduce costs. 

Or you can go the far cheaper Netflix route and just rent the thing.  Either way, check out our post-screening follow-up conversation for ideas and resources on how to help expand options and improve outcomes for birthing mamas.

Pregnant Defense Minister in Spain: Right On

My, my.  This is too good to be true!  A 7-months pregnant defense minister?  A national Cabinet with more women than men?  In one of the more macho counties on the planet?  Ooh-la-la.  And we thought a woman Presidential candidate was the feminist accomplishment of our lifetimes!  If you didn't hear the short piece on NPR's Morning Edition today, check it out.  There are some terrific quotes, like the one from a Spanish man asking the interviewer how he'd feel if a "pregnant chick who doesn't know anything became Minister of Defense in the U.S."?  Like wow.  And I was complaining about The O's 'gush' comment! 

Lights, Camera, & Don't Forget the Action!!

We gathered, we watched, we discussed.  Are we over it?  Not this mama.  So what's next??  Anyone rarin' to take this to the next level, find some like-minded Activistas and hatch a plan to change the business of being born?  You may have seen our follow-up post after the screenings to discuss the issues further and take some action. 

I'm thinkin' that for change to happen  - here, soon - we need to tend to the business of being Activistas.  If you're game, perhaps you'll host a house party or arrange a meet-up at Urban Grind NE to connect the die-hards as a next step?  We can facilitate - or not.  Your call.  Good idea?  Let someone else do it?  What'll it be, mamas? 

Who's in charge of this business of being born, anyway?  The hospitals?  The insurance companies?  Or us?  I know who it should be, mamas, I know who it should be.  So what's it gonna take to put the mama back in charge of the mama??

NYT Doula Article: Not the Prettiest Picture

Thanks to Jesse Henderson of Mother Tree Birth Services for alerting us to the negative article in today's NYT article on doulas and lactation consultants, And Doula Makes Four.  If you missed it, maybe it's because you weren't reading the Fashion & Style section!  Yes, mamas, that's where they put this one, like they were discussing where to get a stylin' maternity top - sheesh. 

I'd agree that the story is slanted, especially when compared to our experience with a doula back in 2003.  Not only was our hospital fine with her being there (Kaiser Sunnyside), it was the doula who prepared us in advance for a birth that might not meet our ideal.  A far cry from the my-way-or-the-highway doulas and lactation consultants described in this article.  A more balanced story would have better served families and professionals alike. 

Jesse's response??  Let's bombard the NYT with positive stories - right on, Jesse!  Here's what she wrote:

Dear New York Times Editor,

I was very disappointed to see your article in the Fashion & Style section today  "And the Doula Makes Four" negating the support that doulas and lactation consultants provide women in our country. Using a fringe-opinion you purposefully inflamed a pervasive attitude in our culture to ignore evidence-based practices. The evidence shows that when women and their babies receive continuous emotional support and comfort measures throughout their childbearing year consistently have better birth outcomes, lower interventions, lower long term complications, higher breastfeeding rates and stronger feelings of satisfaction and self confidence for the whole family. In our culture, the bulk of this kind of care has fallen to a small group of doulas and lactation consultants. In an environment where  women are seen in fleeting, segmented visits by their predominantly busy OB care providers there is no consistent support other than the care that these professionals provide.

The Business of Being Born: Let's Talk!

I know I'm still pondering it - you? Glad it's out there, for sure, but feeling like angles were missed.  Loved the historical stuff.  So important (and more than a little terrifying) to know how we landed where we are with all this, and fascinating/horrific to see what women endured a century ago.  Also interesting to note the comparisons with other developed nations.  It is becoming clearer to me every day that the U.S. really does score dead last in all family-related public policies. It starts with birth and m/paternity leave and never really gets better!  Aack.

For all who see this documentary in the coming weeks, we hope that you'll share your impressions here, start or continue the dialog (and action!!) that this movie was meant to stir up.  So whether you just want to discuss the film and the many issues it raises, or you're ready to DO something, go ahead, weigh in!  Because with the many, many births experienced by urbanMamas, we have a wealth of knowledge and a wide variety of experience and opinions to bring to this conversation. 

International Surrogacy: It's Happening

Call me naive, but until I read Judith Warner's 1.3.08 Domestic Disturbances blog post in the NYT, Outsourced Wombs, I was not fully aware of the practice of hiring international surrogates.  Here in the U.S., yes.  I know people who have hired surrogates, but no-one who has been one.  I know the whole concept of surrogacy gets people pretty riled up, but this adds a whole slew of controversial components.  Did you see the article?  Wow.  The picture of all those surrogates lined up in a row makes quite an impression.

The Business of Being Born - Private Screenings

So it's been a few years, but I'll never forget.  Not the labors (one excruciatingly long, the other excruciatingly fast), not the stitches (yes, the dreaded 'stage 4' tear).  And definitely not the hospital midwives, dedicated labor nurses, and OB (think forceps) who helped me vaginally deliver two children without drugs - not their norm.

I'm all for natural, but only to a point.  Drugs?  No way.  Bathtub at home?  No thanks.  Hospital?  Absolutely - plus, that's what my insurance covered, right?   But enough about me and my boring births of yesteryear.  We're ready to hear about someone else's births - namely Ricki Lake's - and the birthing "business."

Just in time for the holidays... a healthy toys database!

Toys are the last place a parent wants to look for potentially harmful toxics, but after a record year of recalls, it is an increasingly necessary chore. Fortunately there is a new tool helps parents navigate this increasingly confusing world. Check out the 1,200 children products  tested for lead and other harmful chemicals by the Ecology Center of Ann Arbor, MI.  This is a fantastic database when picking out toys for your children this holiday season and very easy to use.  Hope this is useful!