OPB's Think Out Loud tackles home v. hospital births ~ Th 5.7.09 @ 9

In case this topic interests you, OPB's Think Out Loud show on Thursday 5.7.09 is about birth choices.  Here's how they describe the show:

Oregon State University says a new study describes a "pattern of distrust" in the relationship between hospital physicians and midwives who transport their patients to hospitals due to complications during homebirths.

The study (led by OSU assistant professor and midwife Melissa Cheyney) looked at birth records in Oregon's Jackson County from 1998 through 2003 to determine whether a correlation existed between poor health outcomes and homebirths.

While the study didn't find a link between the two factors it did reveal ongoing conflicts between doctors and midwives with physicians asserting that only hospital births were safe. This finding is in line with a 2008 American Medical Association resolution (pdf), which stated:

"The safest setting for labor, delivery and the immediate post-partum period is in the hospital, or a birthing center within a hospital complex."

Listen up! Call in!  Speak Up! Or join the conversation on the show's active blog.  It's on from 9 to 10 am, then is re-aired again at 9 pm the same night.  And of course podcasted forever.  

If you listened, did you like the show? 

[Photo courtesy of cafemama]

Recommendations for twin delivery?

Do you have some recommendations for obstetricians, birthing centers, or hospitals for a twin delivery?  An urbanMama emails:

I am 21 weeks and just found out we have having twins!  Originally we were working with excellent midwives at Andaluz Waterbirth Center when we thought we were only having one baby.  Now that there is two and more risk factors we are reconsidering our birthing options.  We are exploring options right now and would love any advice.  We still prefer to work with a doctor who would be supportive of a natural twin pregnancy or with as minimal intervention as possible.  Also, looking for doctors who have low ceasaren rates for twin births.  I think Providence and Legacy are in network for us so if anyone knows of good doctors at either place we would love to hear your input.

Seeking Hospital Midwife: Glucola not required.

We recently received an email from a mama, new to Portland, who has a specific request for her natural hospital childbirth experience:

I am looking for a Midwife that delivers in Hospitals that does not require the Glucola drinking for the glucose tolerance test. I am hoping to find one that is open to using the jelly beans or a specific meal instead. I know there are great birth center and homebirth Midwives that do this, but I was hoping someone might be able to reccommend a Hospital Midwife that does also. After 3 horrible experiences with the Glucola, I am hoping to avoid it this time.

Birthing Tub Rental

Grace is planning a home birth, but would like to rent a birthing tub.  Interesting question, can you help?  She emails:

I was wondering if there is any place in Portland that rents birth tubs for a home birth? I have only heard waterbirth.org but I'm curious if there is a place local so I could avoid paying such a high shipping & handling cost.