The Delivery Debate

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  Posted By: pbr90 @ 04/17/2008 9:52:45 PM

  Amidst the trend to rate everything from toothpaste to colleges, Americans might wonder why we didn't think of rating the birth experience of the millions of women who give birth in hospitals around the nation, and visit a diverse assortment of obstetricians, etc.
  
  Certainly, most postpartum mothers are all too willing to share horror stories along with those deemed spectacular in the department of easy births.
  
  This might be a sign of the times today where easy access and communications can help to remind the medical community that there is more to success than profitable hospital rates. New infants and mothers are rarely concerned with price, but terribly concerned with comfort and safety.
  
  Since birthing is such a common experience for women, women are uniquely situated to identify where and with whom they are most likely to get the best hospital, midwife center experience. It's surprising that Newsweek hasn't already taken up the charge for rating our childbirth centers. It could be enlightening for all families.

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  Posted By: pbr90 @ 04/17/2008 9:52:22 PM

  Amidst the trend to rate everything from toothpaste to colleges, Americans might wonder why we didn't think of rating the birth experience of the millions of women who give birth in hospitals around the nation, and visit a diverse assortment of obstetricians, etc.
  
  Certainly, most postpartum mothers are all too willing to share horror stories along with those deemed spectacular in the department of easy births.
  
  This might be a sign of the times today where easy access and communications can help to remind the medical community that there is more to success than profitable hospital rates. New infants and mothers are rarely concerned with price, but terribly concerned with comfort and safety.
  
  Since birthing is such a common experience for women, women are uniquely situated to identify where and with whom they are most likely to get the best hospital, midwife center experience. It's surprising that Newsweek hasn't already taken up the charge for rating our childbirth centers. It could be enlightening for all families.

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  Posted By: Klradakovich @ 04/04/2008 4:11:37 PM

  All I needed to hear when close to my second child's due date was "her shoulders are measuring large" and there is a risk of breaking them during a vaginal birth. Since my first child was 9 and 1/2 pounds, and I did not suffer from gestentional diabetes and he was on time, my fear of a larger more complicated birth arose. If a c-section promises more safety, I don't understand the comments surrounding the unnecessary surgeries. I was sure to read everything possible about childbirth when making my decision. Instead of choosing one of the leading women's hospitals in the U.S. - I chose a smaller more intimate hospital, where each baby and patient seemed special. I was not the least bit impressed by the treatment of my friends at the large hospital, they were not happy, and I often wondered why they returned. Women need to be in charge of their own bodies and birthing processes. We cannot rely on others to provide us with "all" the information. There will always be the socio-economic disadvantages of others, who are not provided the best healthcare options - but this is an overall problem to the disadvantaged when it comes to woman, child, and overall healthcare. Let's also not forget - the fear of many physicians - being sued when birth complications occur and the high price of malpractice insurance - when they see a potential childbirth problem - perhaps it's more fear than greed when recommending a c-section. I had a horrible time recooperating from the section - but I was happy my daughter was happy and healthy.