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Happy, I appreciate what you are saying, but what woman is "allowed" to have a VBAC in this country in a hospital?  Very few.  They are discouraged, misinformed and badgered into additional c-sections.  Up until 10 years ago there were doctors at OHSU who would do a vaginal breech or twins.  They are retired or no longer providing those services.  It is not a fair comparison.  Out of hospital midwives are not renegades.  They are careful practitioners who have demonstrated a willingness to transfer care when situations are not optimal. 

posted 2 years, 9 months ago
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This is the same silliness I hear all the time.  The NICU is filled, FILLED with babies nearly all of whom come right out of a hospital birth into your wing.  No matter what you think, and out of hospital birth with a skilled, trained midwife is still safer than a hospital birth where nurses manage labor in a fear based, interventionist way.  And that is a fact.  Only high risk women benefit from a planned hospital birth.

posted 2 years, 9 months ago
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This is not a good analogy.  Giving birth without the use of drugs is a choice that is beneficial to mothers and infants, a fact proven over and over again.  Over 90% of women in the hospital receive drugs and/or anesthesia during their labor.  This is not natural and it interferes with the body's natural process causing a cascade of issues and interventions.  It is not an ideologic choice, it is a logical choice to have a natural birth.  The WHO and other countries around the world are taking advantage of these scientific facts and that is why they have better maternal and fetal outcomes.  Midwives have very extensive and specialized training and are certified by a rigorous set of examinations.  Their practices is all science right down to emotional support they provided. 

posted 2 years, 9 months ago
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