Making Progress

I was excited to hear about what I believe is huge progress.  The American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecologists (ACOG) released a paper this week regarding Caesarean sections and the alarming rate at which they have increased over time in the United States, with no decrease in infant and maternal morbidity. They finally asked the question that others have been asking for many many years: Why aren't things changing?  Don't get me wrong. Cesareans have their place in this world. In emergencies. The results written in this paper leave me wondering; why was ACOG so late to the dinner table, but, that's a question for another day. The important thing is how this paper can change things for many women. This is a link to the paper.
What I believe is one of the best findings in the paper written by ACOG is this: women shouldn't be rushed through labor. Simple. Here is how ACOG says it; "For example, it may be necessary to revisit the definition of labor dystocia because recent data show that contemporary labor progresses at a rate substantially slower than what was historically taught.".*  That one finding will hopefully begin to replace antiquated ideas about labor and birth.
Here's another gem from the paper. "Increasing women’s access to nonmedical interventions during labor, such as continuous labor and delivery support, also has been shown to reduce cesarean birth rates."*  Yep, you read that right. Having that continuous support reduces your chances of having a Cesarean. Incentive for hiring a doula?  Me thinks so! 
Now here is the part where all of you come in. Be empowered!  Take this information to your caregiver. Ask them what their Cesarean rate is. Ask them what they consider to be stalled labor or a failure to progress. Ask them if they will give you more time to labor. If you have already had a Cesarean it's not too late for you. If your caregiver has told you that it's not possible for you to deliver vaginally because your body doesn't progress or isn't able to give birth, or some other reason that doesnt sound quite right, find a new caregiver or at least seek a second opinion. Lastly. Hire a doula. I'm going to say it again. Hire a doula. We will fight along side you and increase your chances of having the delivery you planned for. 


*Safe prevention of the primary cesarean delivery. Obstetric Care Consensus No. 1. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Obstet Gynecol 2014;123:693–711.