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Can I get a HELL YEAH?!

This Consumer Report had me standing at my desk, clapping. Who cares that I’m now known as the crazy lady on floor 3 who gives standing ovations to her computer:

A key reason [the US is failing when it comes to infant mortality and maternal death] appears to be a health-care system that has developed into a highly profitable labor-and-delivery machine, operating according to its own timetable rather than the less predictable schedule of mothers and babies. Childbirth is the leading reason for hospital admission, and the system is set up to make the most of the opportunity. Keeping things chugging along are technological interventions that can be lifesaving in some situations but also interfere with healthy, natural processes and increase risk when used inappropriately.

Definitely head on over and read the report, but to bullet the key points, the top 10 Overused Procedures in Pregnancy and Childbirth are as follows.

1. A C-section with a low-risk first birth

2. An automatic second C-section

3. An elective early delivery

4. Inducing labor without a medical reason

5. Ultrasounds after 24 weeks

6. Continuous electronic fetal monitoring

7. Early epidurals

8. Routinely rupturing the amniotic membranes

9. Routine episiotomies

10. Sending your newborn to the nursery

And I like the follow up that includes 10 Things You Should Do During Your Pregnancy, most notably A. Consider a midwife, B. Stay home during early labor and C. Get labor support (doulas, what what!).

If you’ve been reading this blog for awhile, well, then you’re thinking, DUH! But this report gives me hope that more US mamas and US hospitals/OBs will hear these words and maternal care will shift accordingly.

And now a round of applause for healthy moms and babies.

*standing ovation*