It Starts At Birth: Recent Episodes
Faith Flatt
It Starts at Birth is a podcast for expecting families and anyone who is interested in open, honest conversations about pregnancy and the birthing journey. From simple questions to worrisome oppression, this husband and wife team discusses possible solutions with a global and data driven perspective. Join us today!
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
Narrow in on the midwife that is right for your pregnancy and birthing journey with the help of the list of questions provided in this episode. Do you have any fears or concerns? These talking points will help you to address them with your chosen care provider. Download now!
Links to reports and articles referenced in this episode:
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/ UCSF - High-Risk Pregnancy
https://www.ucsfhealth.org/conditions/high-risk-pregnancy
CDC - Births - Method of Delivery
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/delivery.htm
World Health Organization - WHO statement on caesarean section rates
https://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/publications/maternal_perinatal_health/cs-statement/en/
If you are leaning towards working with a midwife for your prenatal care, then this episode is for you. You'll be provided with a list of questions that will help you to confidently narrow in on the midwife that is right for your pregnancy and birthing journey. Start listening now!
Links to reports and articles referenced in this episode:
AMA - State law chart: Certified Professional Midwife Scope of Practice https://www.ama-assn.org/sites/ama-assn.org/files/corp/media-browser/specialty%20group/arc/direct-entry-midwife-state-chart-practice-information-2016.pdf
AL.com - Midwives can legally deliver Alabama babies for first time in decades as state issues licenses https://www.al.com/news/2019/01/midwives-can-legally-deliver-alabama-babies-for-first-time-in-decades-as-state-issues-licenses.html
Medical Association of the State of Alabama - Save Alabama Moms https://alabamamedicine.org/savealmoms/#1574275876665-d31d3f11-4493
The National Academic Press - The Consequences of Maternal Morbidity and Maternal Mortality: Report of a Workshop https://www.nap.edu/read/9800/chapter/2
AL.com - Alabama has third-highest death rate of mothers in the nation, new federal report says https://www.al.com/news/2020/02/alabama-has-third-highest-death-rate-of-mothers-in-the-nation-new-federal-report-says.html
UCSF - High-Risk Pregnancy https://www.ucsfhealth.org/conditions/high-risk-pregnancy
There are a variety of reasons that women speak out after giving birth. Often traumatic or belittling experiences lead them to become vocal about what needs to improve for mothers in the future or else to find solutions for themselves. Unfortunately, women who share their alternative viewpoints are too often labeled and stigmatized. On this episode of It Starts at Birth, Mark and Faith discuss the perspective from major health organizations around the world and concerning statistics in the U.S. which support the importance of the message these women are bold enough to share.
Links to reports and articles referenced in this episode:
PMC - Trends and State Variations in Out-of-Hospital Births in the United States, 2004-2017
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6642827/
CDC - First Data Released on Maternal Mortality in Over a Decade
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/nchs_press_releases/2020/202001_MMR.htm
American Action Forum - Maternal Mortality in the United States
https://www.americanactionforum.org/insight/maternal-mortality-in-the-united-states/
Maternal Health Task Force - Maternal Health in the United States
https://www.mhtf.org/topics/maternal-health-in-the-united-states/
AIHW - Maternal deaths in Australia
https://knoema.com/atlas/United-Kingdom/Maternal-mortality-ratio
KNOEMA - United Kingdom - Maternal mortality ratio
https://knoema.com/atlas/United-Kingdom/Maternal-mortality-ratio
The World Health Organization - The case for midwifery
https://www.who.int/maternal_child_adolescent/topics/quality-of-care/midwifery/case-for-midwifery/en/
Global Health Workforce Alliance - Midwife-led care delivers positive pregnancy and birth outcomes
https://www.who.int/workforcealliance/media/news/2013/midwifecochrane/en/
Who we are Why we started a podcast Goal: Empowerment through information Knowledge = Power