Part 2 of a Series Focused on Casting a Continuous Spotlight on the Maternal Mortality Rate in the U.S.   When comparing the high Maternal Mortality Rate (M.M.R.) in the U.S. with the rise of Cesarean rates, there is clear correlation. In this episode of  It Starts at Birth, Mark and Faith highlight The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologist’s assessment of both of these concerning numbers.    NORD - American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists https://rarediseases.org/organizations/american-congress-of-obstetricians-and-gynecologists/   ACOG Statement on Maternal Mortality https://www.acog.org/news/news-releases/2015/05/acog-statement-on-maternal-mortality   ACOG - Maternal Health Awareness Day   https://www.acog.org/news/news-releases/2015/05/acog-statement-on-maternal-mortality   ACOG - Racial Bias https://www.acog.org/clinical-information/policy-and-position-statements/statements-of-policy/2017/racial-bias   ACOG - Safe Prevention of the Primary Cesarean Delivery https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/obstetric-care-consensus/articles/2014/03/safe-prevention-of-the-primary-cesarean-delivery

C the Problem - Part 1 of a Series Focused on Casting a Continuous Spotlight on the Maternal Mortality Rate in the U.S. After decades of consistently declining numbers, the Maternal Mortality Rate (M.M.R.) reached an all-time low in the 1990's. But in 1997, the rate of maternal deaths began a rapid increase. What medical procedure shared a similar spike during these years of increase? Cesarean rates also shared a correlating path. In this episode of It Starts at Birth, Mark and Faith discuss the importance of looking at these rates side by side.    The Common Wealth Fund - Maternal Mortality in the United States: A Primer https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-brief-report/2020/dec/maternal-mortality-united-states-primer Med Scape - What are the possible morbidity and mortality associated with cesarean delivery (C-section)? https://www.medscape.com/answers/263424-184954/what-are-the-possible-morbidity-and-mortality-associated-with-cesarean-delivery-c-section CDC - Births and Method of Delivery https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/delivery.htm Statista - Number of Cesarean section procedures in the United States from 1997 to 2018 https://www.statista.com/statistics/184079/us-hospital-stays-with-cesarean-section-procedures-since-1997/ CDC- Recent Trends in Cesarean Delivery in the United States https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db35.htm USA Today - Which states have the worst maternal mortality? https://www.usatoday.com/list/news/investigations/maternal-mortality-by-state/7b6a2a48-0b79-40c2-a44d-8111879a8336/?block=florida ACOG - Safe Prevention of the Primary Cesarean Delivery https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/obstetric-care-consensus/articles/2014/03/safe-prevention-of-the-primary-cesarean-delivery ACOG - ACOG Statement on Maternal Mortality https://www.acog.org/news/news-releases/2015/05/acog-statement-on-maternal-mortality

Does the support team in the room for labor and delivery impact the outcome for mothers? The answer is yes! However, narrowing in on who is right for you requires a little thought and planning. On this episode, Mark and Faith talk through some of your options and the pros and cons of each.    Links to reports and articles referenced in this episode: PMC - Impact of Doulas on Healthy Birth Outcomes https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3647727/

Utilize the time you have before labor and birth to prepare yourself for that important moment. One great way to do so is to begin the process of making categorized lists of anything and everything that needs to be done before the arrival of your child. Grab a pen and paper, download this episode and start your lists today!

Prepare for Birth - Start Breathing Now In this multi-part series, the It Starts at Birth podcast zeros in on steps that you can take to prepare for birth. One of the most important ways to get ready is to Start Breathing Now. By understanding some basics and practicing them in short segments early on, the expectant mother will feel empowered and ready to breath through the intensity of labor. Listen today for helpful ideas!    Links to reports and articles referenced in this episode: American Pregnancy Association - Patterned Breathing During Labor https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/labor-and-birth/patterned-breathing-858/ Grow by Web MD - Types of Childbirth Classes https://www.webmd.com/baby/childbirth-class-options#2   University of Notre Dame Australia - Complementary therapies for labour and birth study: a randomised controlled trial of antenatal integrative medicine for pain management in labour https://www.researchgate.net/publication/305222691_Complementary_therapies_for_labour_and_birth_study_a_randomised_controlled_trial_of_antenatal_integrative_medicine_for_pain_management_in_labour

For many women, the queasiness that plagues the beginning of pregnancy is a difficult condition. The good news is that there are many natural remedies that can make this phase of the childbearing journey more manageable. Listen today for tips and tricks that will hopefully help you to feel more comfortable.  Mayo Clinic - Morning Sickness  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/morning-sickness/symptoms-causes/syc-20375254 What causes morning sickness isn't clear, but the hormonal changes of pregnancy are thought to play a role.   What to Expect When You’re Expecting Chapters 4 & 5  Eisenberg, A. (1991). What To Expect When You’re Expecting. NY: Workman Pub.

  Stretch marks are the skin's beautiful memory of bringing new life into the world. As they develop, they can also be a cry from the skin that it is dehydrated and overworked. Giving a little attention to your skin can not only help mothers-to-be feel more comfortable, it is also a great way to instill continued habits of self-care. On this episode, learn a few tricks to make stretch mark care easy and effective!

Exercise is beneficial for humans and the prenatal and postpartum time periods are no exception. However, navigating the do’s and don’ts of prenatal workout routines can be confusing for expectant moms. In this episode, guidance from The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists is dissected for a common-sense approach to feeling great about doing the workout routine that you love.  Links to reports and articles referenced in this episode: ACOG - ACOG Releases Updated Guidance on Exercise in Pregnancy and Postpartum, Includes Recommendations for Athletes https://www.acog.org/news/news-releases/2020/03/acog-releases-updated-guidance-on-exercise-in-pregnancy-and-postpartum ACOG - Physical Activity and Exercise During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2020/04/physical-activity-and-exercise-during-pregnancy-and-the-postpartum-period

The majority of women in the U.S. utilize epidural administered pain relief for their births. Since epidurals are marketed as a safe form of pain relief for mother and baby, this is not surprising. When it comes to side effects and the contents of epidurals, there are several facts and reports that women should be aware of in order to make a knowledgeable choice about what is best for them and their child. Interested? Start listening now.    NHS - Side effects - Epidural https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/epidural/side-effects/ Obstetrics and Gynecology International - The Effect of Epidural Analgesia on the Delivery Outcome of Induced Labour: A Retrospective Case Series https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ogi/2016/5740534/ NCBI - Pregnancy and birth: Epidurals and painkillers for labor pain  reliefhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279567/ Reuters Health- Epidurals may make labor longer than originally thought: study https://www.reuters.com/article/us-epidurals-labor/epidurals-may-make-labor-longer-than-originally-thought-study-idUSBREA1424L2014020 Mid Cheshire Hospitals - Stages of Labor https://www.mcht.nhs.uk/information-for-patients/departmentsandservices/maternity/labour-and-birth-information/stages-of-labour/ American Pregnancy Association - What is an Epidural? https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/labor-and-birth/what-is-an-epidural-782/ NCBI - Epidural Analgesia and Lactation https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4261367/

There are many parts of the pregnancy and birthing journey that belong to women in the United States, but some in which they have little to no say. Follow the money and it becomes clear who is in control. Look at the outcomes for infants and mothers and you may wonder if the control is in the wrong hands. For the full picture, download today!    Links to reports and articles referenced in this episode: Stamford Medicine - Insurance Policy https://stanmed.stanford.edu/2017spring/how-health-insurance-changed-from-protecting-patients-to-seeking-profit.html   National Institutes of Health - Maternal Morbidity and Mortality https://orwh.od.nih.gov/sites/orwh/files/docs/ORWH_MMM_Booklet_508C.pdf   WISE - Having a baby in the US? Hospital, midwife, and delivery costs https://wise.com/us/blog/cost-of-having-a-baby-in-united-states Mama Natural - What Does Birth Cost in the U.S.? https://www.mamanatural.com/birth-cost/   CDC-  Severe Maternal Morbidity in the United States https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/maternalinfanthealth/severematernalmorbidity.html   National Institutes of Health - Maternal Morbidity and Mortality https://orwh.od.nih.gov/sites/orwh/files/docs/ORWH_MMM_Booklet_508C.pdf   The Washington Post - Our infant mortality rate is a national embarrassment https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2014/09/29/our-infant-mortality-rate-is-a-national-embarrassment/   AJMC - How Much Does It Cost to Give Birth in the United States? It Depends on the State https://www.ajmc.com/view/how-much-does-it-cost-to-give-birth-in-the-united-states-it-depends-on-the-state   World Health Organization - WHO statement on caesarean section rates https://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/publications/maternal_perinatal_health/cs-statement/en/   CDC - Births - Method of Delivery https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/delivery.htm