Participants: Patti Barnes
Series Code: DIV
Program Code: DIV000010A
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00:01 The contents of the following program
00:03 are not intended to substitute 00:05 for the advice of your healthcare provider, 00:07 and the producers of this series 00:09 assume no liability 00:10 for the use or misuse of the material presented. 00:20 Creation or evolution, 00:23 design or random chance, 00:27 they say it all began with a big bang, 00:31 but when we look at the amazing human body, 00:34 the answer is obvious. 00:36 The complexity of the design 00:37 exceeds anything man has ever made. 00:41 The body, it only have been designed 00:43 by the Master Designer we read about in the Bible. 00:47 Join us as we explore the miraculous development 00:51 of the human baby. 01:08 Divine Design. 01:26 Hello, I'm Patti Barnes, 01:28 director of the Midwifery program 01:29 at Hartland College. 01:31 Today we're gonna talk about complications 01:35 that could lead to a cesarean section. 01:38 We no longer live in a perfect world, 01:40 since the fall of Adam and Eve. 01:42 So we must face the reality 01:45 that not every birth goes as smoothly as we desire. 01:49 The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:7... 01:52 "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, 01:55 that the excellency of the power may be of God, 01:59 and not of us." 02:01 Unfortunately these earthen vessels 02:03 sometimes don't work exactly as we want them to. 02:07 Complications arise from time to time with pregnancy. 02:10 This is not a flaw in God's marvelous design, 02:14 but result of a fall of man and thousands of years of sin 02:18 and its consequences. 02:20 Today we just want to look at 02:22 just a few of these complications. 02:25 The results and how we might be able to avoid them. 02:28 Did you know that a cesarean section rate 02:31 in the US is one of every three births 02:35 or about 33 percent? 02:38 Sweden's rate is about half of that, 17 percent. 02:42 And in Finland only 6.6 percent. 02:45 The World Health Organization says 02:48 there should be about only 10 to 15 percent rate. 02:52 So you could see that the US 02:53 is two to three times higher than that. 02:58 Cesarean is the number surgical procedure 03:01 performed in America. 03:03 So why is this so high? 03:05 Well, there is a number of reasons 03:06 behind this astronomical percentage. 03:09 One is that more and more women are requesting C-sections. 03:13 This is a result of a number of factors 03:15 including the desire to escape the pain of labor. 03:19 The convenience of planning the delivery date 03:22 and the widespread acceptance 03:24 of surgical procedures in general. 03:28 Surgery is not so feared today as it once was. 03:31 Another reason is that healthcare providers 03:34 also have the convenience 03:35 of setting the time avoiding midnight, 03:38 weekend, and holiday deliveries. 03:41 Physicians also can better avoid liabilities 03:44 and malpractice suits in a so happy world 03:47 and we can't escape the fact 03:50 that for some physicians and hospitals 03:53 C-sections are added form of revenue 03:56 increasing the cost of a birth by several thousand dollars. 04:00 The C-section rate has also risen 04:02 due to the rise of medical interventions today. 04:05 For example, human nature wants to speed things up. 04:10 We live in an instant society 04:12 that doesn't want to wait for anything. 04:14 So what is result? 04:16 The use of cervical ripening agent is implemented. 04:19 And there are a variety of them, 04:22 but each one has its side effects. 04:25 There is also Pitocin which is the synthetic Oxytocin 04:29 to enhance contractions or make them stronger 04:32 which is administered to hurry up the labor. 04:35 But when given too early in labor 04:37 and before the cervix is softened 04:40 and ready to open, 04:41 it leads to unnatural and prolong pain. 04:45 To fix this, an epidural is administered 04:48 which actually slows down the process. 04:51 An epidural is an anesthetic 04:54 administered in the lower back to numb the mother 04:57 from the waist down. 04:59 Sadly approximate 38 percent of the time 05:03 that an epidural is given, some type of device 05:06 such as forceps or vacuum extractor 05:08 must be used to get the baby out. 05:12 And in some cases as labor begins to drag out, 05:15 a second dose of Pitocin is given 05:18 to speed it up once again. 05:20 This can lead the baby to go into fetal distress. 05:25 And a diagnosis of failure to progress is made 05:28 resulting in a C-section. 05:31 C-sections themselves help account 05:33 for the higher rate today. 05:35 Many mothers are told that a vaginal birth 05:38 after cesarean called a VBAC is not possible, 05:42 or at least unadvisable. 05:44 Perhaps you've heard the expression, 05:46 "Once a Cesarean, always a Cesarean." 05:50 Well, many obese have been reluctant to perform a VBAC. 05:54 The main concern is that the uterus may rupture 05:57 or split open at the previous incision site 06:00 during contractions especially if it was a classical incision, 06:05 which is vertical and high up on the uterus. 06:09 However, over the years studies have shown 06:13 that the risk of rupture is less than 1 percent, 06:16 if the incision is low 06:18 and whether transverse or vertical. 06:21 Fortunately some obese 06:23 are now encouraged by new guidelines 06:25 from the American College of Obstetric and Gynecology 06:28 to give a trial of labor after cesarean. 06:32 To those who are considered good candidates, 06:34 and fortunately most cesareans are low incisions. 06:39 Yet another reason for the high rate of cesarean 06:42 is the increase in those mothers 06:44 who actually need them. 06:46 This is due to health issues, 06:48 which many of them are avoidable 06:50 with proper prenatal care and education. 06:53 An example is Macrosomia or large overweight babies 06:57 and gestational diabetes. 07:00 High blood pressure is another condition 07:02 that could be turned around. 07:04 Unavoidable C-sections are actually few in number. 07:08 Some possible causes could be narrower presentation 07:12 which is when the baby is in the wrong position 07:15 for delivery. 07:17 Or Placenta Previa 07:19 which is a low implantation of the placenta in the uterus. 07:22 This could lead to the placenta preceding the baby in delivery. 07:27 If this happens the baby cannot survive 07:29 the vaginal delivery. 07:31 A Prolapse cord which is when the cord comes out 07:34 before the baby may also necessitate a cesarean. 07:39 Then there are some rare cases of pelvic deformity 07:42 due to an accident or birth defect. 07:45 Also if the mother has a health problem 07:47 such as heart disease or cancer, 07:50 a C-section may be advisable. 07:53 Among other things the World Health Organization 07:56 has concluded that cesareans are effective 07:59 in saving maternal and infant lives. 08:01 But only when they are required 08:03 for medically indicated reasons. 08:06 They determine that C-section rates 08:08 higher than 10 percent 08:10 are not associated with reductions 08:12 in maternal and newborn mortality. 08:15 World Heath Organization also concluded 08:17 that cesareans could cause significant 08:21 and sometimes permanent complications. 08:24 So we are truly thankful 08:26 for the ability to rescue a baby or mother 08:29 with a cesarean when it is necessary, 08:32 but happy to avoid them if we can. 08:35 Of course this is major surgery, 08:37 so let's take a look at some of the negative effects 08:39 of a C-section. 08:41 We have to realize that a cesarean operation 08:43 involves cutting through the mother's abdominal wall 08:47 and a second incision that's through the uterus. 08:50 Some risks to the mother are infection at the incision site, 08:55 the development of blood clots, urine infection, 08:59 anesthesia complications, 09:02 surgical injury like bladder or bowel accident, 09:06 hemorrhage and severe pain with longer recovery time 09:10 than a normal vaginal birth. 09:13 Postpartum depression is also more likely after cesarean. 09:17 Risk for the baby include respiratory distress syndrome, 09:21 or breathing problems, lack of alertness, 09:24 higher incidents of jaundice 09:27 and fetal injuries like lacerations which are rare. 09:31 Further studies are being done on the effects of the baby 09:34 not passing through the birth canal. 09:37 In light of these facts 09:38 if you've had to have a cesarean 09:41 don't be discourage, 09:43 here are few tips that might help you 09:45 avoid another one in the future. 09:48 Wait at least nine or more months 09:50 before trying to conceive again 09:52 allowing sufficient time of healing. 09:56 Choose a doctor or midwife who is in favor 09:58 of allowing a child of labor or a VBAC. 10:02 Try a natural birth without interventions to induce 10:05 or augment labor whenever possible. 10:09 Maintain a healthy pregnancy weight. 10:12 Stay well hydrated and nourish 10:14 to keep your energy level up during labor. 10:18 Try various upright positions in labor 10:20 to allow gravity to work in your favor. 10:24 And hire a doula 10:26 who is a trained birth attendant 10:28 to help you through labor with natural comfort measures 10:32 like hydrotherapy, massage, breathing techniques, 10:36 emotional and spiritual support. 10:39 Several studies have proven that doula services 10:42 can largely reduce the chances of a C-section. 10:46 Cut down significantly on the use of interventions 10:49 including the use of forceps 10:50 and vacuum extractors for delivery. 10:53 Shorten and ease labor in delivery 10:56 and lead to better outcomes. 10:58 Babies benefit also 11:01 as breast feeding is encouraged. 11:03 The doula provides constant support 11:06 through labor and delivery as well as postpartum care 11:10 which also leads to less postpartum depression. 11:13 These are just a few helpful suggestions. 11:16 We can't overemphasize the value of becoming educated 11:19 about the benefits of prenatal care, 11:22 what to expect in labor 11:24 and how to implement your birth plan. 11:27 In Proverbs 4:7 we read... 11:30 "Wisdom is the principal thing, therefore get wisdom, 11:35 and with all thy getting get understanding." 11:38 Now I'd like to say something to you dear mothers 11:42 who have had 11:43 or will have to have a C-section. 11:46 Please don't feel like you've failed. 11:49 On the contrary you have carried your baby 11:52 for nearly nine months or more 11:54 and brought a new precious life into the world. 11:58 And think about it, 11:59 the first reproduction of human life 12:01 came from the side of Adam. 12:03 God performed surgery to bring Eve into the world. 12:07 Your motherhood will not be measured 12:09 by how you give birth, but how you raise your child. 12:13 Love your baby and raise him or her 12:15 in a nurture of the admonition of the Lord. 12:19 Be a true mother in his or her rejoicing in the Lord 12:22 for that precious little one that God has entrusted to you. 12:27 In the book, Child Guidance, page 172 and 173, 12:31 we read these encouraging words. 12:34 "Mothers, remember that in your work 12:36 the Creator of the universe will give you help. 12:39 In his strength and through His name, 12:42 you can lead your children to be overcomers 12:45 teach them to look to God for strength. 12:48 Tell them that He hears their prayers. 12:50 Teach them to overcome evil with good. 12:53 Teach them to exert an influence 12:55 that is elevating and ennobling. 12:57 Lead them to unite with God, 13:00 and then they will have strength 13:01 to resist the strongest temptation. 13:04 They will then receive the reward of the overcomer. 13:07 Your compassionate Redeemer is watching you in love 13:10 and sympathy, 13:11 ready to hear your prayers and render you the assistance 13:15 which you need in your lifework." 13:17 Upon the road 13:22 That leads me 13:26 To the Lamb! 13:33 Return, O holy Dove 13:40 Return 13:43 Sweet messenger 13:48 Of rest 13:53 I hate the sins 13:58 That made thee mourn 14:03 And drove thee 14:06 From my breast... 14:08 Join us next time for another exciting episode 14:12 of Divine Design. 14:13 What peaceful hours 14:17 I once enjoyed! 14:22 How sweet 14:24 Their memory still... |
Revised 2016-10-24