NOTICE: Beginning in February, I will be publishing this blog/newsletter twice a month on the 1st and 3rd Thursday.
CHILDBIRTH: EVERY WEEK IN UTERO COUNTS, STUDY SAYS
I just love it when I run across articles that agree with me! Although you don’t learn anything if that is always the case, but since very often what I write and talk about is not the common wisdom, it is refreshing when non-health and even the mainstream health literature seems to catch up to me. (I know I’m patting myself on the back here.)
A study carried out by researchers at the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration (in the States) and the March of Dimes, analyzed data about more than 46 million infants born in the United States from 1995 to 2006. In that period, the proportion of infants born before 39 weeks of gestation increased to nearly one in three births from more than one in five.
Although this data is from the US, the same trend is seen in Canada and I have noticed a huge increase in induced labour and C-sections over the last 10 years. Babies who are born before 39 weeks are not being born because they are ready sooner or because they are signaling naturally that they want to be born. The medical criteria for when it is appropriate to intervene and induce labor or do a C-section has changed.
The study showed the following sobering result. Pregnancies lasting at least 37 weeks are regarded as safely full-term, but this research finds that babies born in the 37th to 38th week of pregnancy have a higher risk of dying before their first birthdays than those born after 39 weeks gestation.
The new analysis, published online on May 23 from the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology, is among the first to examine differences between so-called early term births and later births. In 2006, infants born at 37 weeks were twice as likely to die in the first year of life, with 3.9 deaths per 1,000 births, as those born at 40 weeks, with 1.9 deaths per 1,000 births. (emphasis mine)
The lead author of this study, Dr. Uma M. Reddy is a medical officer with the pregnancy and perinatology branch at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. She stresses that women need to know that not all “term” pregnancies are alike and that if a pregnancy is uncomplicated, babies should not be delivered before 39 weeks.
I think that many women who opt for an earlier delivery do it based on incomplete information. Certainly no woman wants to endanger their child with an increased possibility of death in the first year of life. But if the information regarding induced “term” and C-sections deliveries doesn’t include these kinds of statistics, the safety issue is being grossly downplayed and people are not able to make properly informed decisions.
This is where a mid-wife comes in handy with a wealth of information about all your choices throughout your pari-natal care.
Also, don’t forget that regular adjustments throughout your pregnancy help keep your spine and nervous system functioning at optimum so you can build a better baby, have less lowback pain and a smoother delivery. I have training in a special chiropractic technique called the Webster Technique. This technique ensures that your pelvis is in proper alignment and reduces that chance of in-utero constraint, where the baby can’t move as freely and can present in a breech position at delivery time. Many babies will turn on their own after this technique is performed, but the technique works best if used as functional prevention throughout the pregnancy.
Healthy babies are the future of the Human Race.
If any of your friends have questions about chiropractic or our office, refer them to our CanPages (Yellow pages online) site for more information about us. www.canpages.ca/page/BC/abbotsford/mccallum-chiropractic-at-the-bay/4270514.html
Dr. McCallum’s office is located upstairs in the Bay SevenOaks, 32900 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford, BC. Call 604-864-8232 to book an appointment. We love helping people regain and maintain their good health.
When you need chiropractic adjustments Abbotsford is the place to be. Dr. Dorothea McCallum provides General Chiropractic Care for people of all ages, Pre and Perinatal care for Moms and babies – Webster Technique Certified, Wellness Care and Coaching – Certified Chiropractic Wellness Practitioner (CCWP), Custom Corrective Orthotics.
Tags: abbotsford back pain, innate wellness, pregnancy, wellness care