Surprising birth statistics

[katyrb]

I just read a great article about some surprising, but important fact about birth. Since I see a lot of questions related to these topics I thought Id condense and share with you ladies :)
1. Ultrasounds are horrible at estimating how much a baby weighs. The average third trimester estimate is 10-20% off!
2. An average low risk pregnancy does NOT last 40 weeks (sorry ladies!) For first time moms the normal length is 41 weeks and 1 day, for experienced moms its 40 weeks 3 days.
3. A doula will decrease your chances of needing a csection by 28%, decrease your need for other interventions, and improve your overall experience.
4. 74% of women who attempt a VBAC are success full. The maternal death rate is 3x higher for repeat csections then it is for VBACs.
5. Being induced and getting an epidural makes a woman SIX times more likely to need a csection then a woman with neither intervention.
6. Ninety five percent of low risk women could give birth with absolutely no medical interventions at all. A quarter of women want to, only two percent actually do. Education and preparation are vital.

www. growing slower. com. 6 Surprising Statistics That Will Change the Way You Give Birth

[MrsAmos]

Ummmm my first I got induce and my baby was fine! I also went natural. And every ultrasound I've had was on point with both my kids! I guess I'm that blessed my nurses and doctors was on point each and every time!!!

[katyrb]

Wow, glad you all found this so helpful! Good luck as you welcome your little angels! :)

[Mandylion8]

Thanks for posting this.  I've been reading a lot about birthing options and it confirms my desire to have a natural birth free of meds with the assistance of a midwife or doula.

[gpie]

Thanks for the post! Seems like I have a lot to research and learn on this!

[SamanthaGutierrez]

Some really good/helpful info. Thanx for posting

[jazzyw21]

With an epidural u don't have to lie on your back you might not be able walk around but there are various positions you can use for your delivery

[Bigapplefamily]

This is absolutely true!!! And yes, Epidurals do greatly increase your risk of intervention and c section because a) they interfere with natural birthing hormones b) you are made to lay in a bed (typically on your back) that reduces blood flow to baby causing fetal distress c) prevents you from getting in to upright and various positions to allow baby to descend in to the birth canal d) cannot be active in your labor since you are numb from waist down e) slow down labor bc natural hormones are being blocked f)this increases the risk of getting pitocin which makes contractions unnaturally stronger than normal ones and harms baby. The list goes on! These are just some of the major impacts due to Epidurals. Big take away is, they absolutely and undeniably interfere with natural birth causing complications.

[Alkali13]

Thank you for this!  I love when people post helpful information on here!

[mrs_farris]

They can't make you have an epidural.  If you don't want one tell them no and make sure you have someone there to advocate for you.

[elvendork]

I do not think you can link any causation to the stat on epidurals. You have to factor in what would make women be more likely to request an epidural, the birth being more painful - which could indicate other complications that would also result in a c-section.
It is not as straight forward as this list makes it seem.
Over 70% of women get epidurals, 25% get c-sections - many of those are planned

[KieaRai]

I'm going to let them put a lockn my arm but no iv until after. There have been several infant deaths in the last few years but they somehow manage to get the lawsuits dropped or get them to settle in a way low price saying that it was due to no fault of the staff. I took the articles in to my doc and told her if anything like that happened to me I'd have her head on a platter. I tried switching hospitals but my insurance won't let me. It's the closest one to me so they're making stay there.
My doc keeps trying to bully me into a planned delivery as well. I guess she keeps forgetting that I'm medically trained as well and I know the system and my rights. I've almost smacked her quite a few times.

[katyrb]

That's horrible! Can you just skip the IV all together so you dont have to worry about it? In general if you're not getting an epidural that could mess with your blood pressure and you drink and stay hydrated during labor you don't really need one...

[KieaRai]

My husband and mom will be acting as my body guards during my delivery. My hospital is notorious for sneaking meds into women's ivs without their permission. If I wasn't high risk I'd let my mom help with my birth at home but I need to be near a doc just in case.

[katyrb]

Personally I would refuse an epidural, especially since it led to your first c section. It would put you at an even higher risk for needing another! My OB explained to me that doing IVs and epidurals "just in case" during labor makes as much sense as requiring them before driving a car just in case you get in an accident and need emergency  surgery.  Maybe get a second opinion from a midwife or an OB whose mote supportive of VBACs?

[Geesha]

I dont want an epidural wuth this pregnancy.  11 years ago with my son they induced and gave me an epidural which led to an emergency c-section.  I told them this cause im going for VBAC but they say its better to have epidural just in case i need a emergency c-section so im ready for it. I dont agree. What do i do?

[Momtothesecondpower]

Wow inspiring

[libellula]

I worried this would be bad stats, but these are pretty true on an average scale. I didn't know much of anything about the actual birth process, so I went hunting for information and was surprised at stuff like this. Just a few more reasons we will be trying a natural birth at the hospital.

[mrs_farris]

It is so important that people know this information. They should also realize that they are in charge what happens.  Doctors can't force you to have unnecessary interventions, you have the right to decline.

[katyrb]

There's so much misinformation out there about birth and interventions! I just had my first and could not believe how many complications can be caused simply because we try to control birth! LesleyMarie, I had mine 100% natural! Best advice I could give you would be to learn as much as you can, take a good birth class, and communicate as much as possible with your Dr about your wishes. Write a birth plan explaining that you don't want interventions , and give it to every nurse who takes care of you. A supportive partner is also amazing. My hubby was 100 behind natural birth and was able to talk to the nurses about it when I couldn't. You might also want to think about having your mom there. My mom had 4 natural births andit was so helpful to have her experienced support in addition to my hubby!

[LesleyMarie88]

Wow, amazing stats. My mom had seven of us naturally without intervention. All perfectally heathly at different stages of her life. I want to do the same, but fear Dr. intervention. With her in the room with me, I hope she'll be able to step in.

[purplediva]

Wow.important info.I truly believe that induction was the coz of my c section.I hd 3 vag deliveries than doc induce my fourth and labor wouldnt progress!!!!!

[elvendork]

Thank you

[ReneeM1987]

I love this! Bump

[ftm502]

Thanks for sharing.