The more I read about Miranda Kerr, the more I like her.
Last year, the 29 year old supermodel from Australia who is married to actor Orlando Bloom refused to cave in to pressure from the anti-saturated fat lobby by publicly professing her love of coconut oil with the following statement:
“I will not go a day without coconut oil. I personally take four tablespoons per day, either on my salads, in my cooking or in my cups of green tea.”
Mmmmm, let’s see. Shall we listen to fat, unhealthy looking doctors with expensive vacation homes and yacht payments telling us to avoid coconut oil because it will give us a heart attack who are incidentally getting kickbacks or special perks from drug companies on the amount of cholesterol lowering prescriptions they write, or …
Shall we listen to a woman who is sharing her secret for shiny hair, trim figure, and clear skin which has been used by attractive, healthy Polynesians for centuries who suffered virtually no heart disease whatsoever?
Kerr: Epidurals Result in Drugged Babies
Now, Ms. Kerr has once again stirred up a hornet’s nest with her comments about the dangers of epidurals published as part of her interview in the August 2012 issue of Harper’s Bazaar UK.
Miranda states that she decided to forgo an epidural with the recent birth of her son after observing in baby bonding videos that babies born to mothers who had epidurals did not instinctively go for the breast and appeared out of it and “drugged” unlike babies born to mothers who had not submitted to pain medication who went straight for the breast and were alert and looking around:
“The baby was a little bit drugged up, and I was like, ‘Well I don’t want that.’ I wanted to give him the best possible start in life I could.”
Dr. Deborah Stein, who practices obstetric anethesiology at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital in New York, fired back by insisting that there “is no concern of epidural anesthesia on a newborn baby.”
Yeah right, doc. A little concerned about those yacht payments are we?
Mother and parenting forums also blasted Kerr saying that she should more carefully choose her words. Mary Fischer who writes for TheStir said that “women just need to respect each other.”
Give me a break. Isn’t the health of babies a lot more important than, sniff, mommy’s feelings (does anyone have a hankie?).
The reality of the situation is that epidural babies are drugged and if a woman can possibly avoid these medications (of course, sometimes she cannot), it is indeed giving her baby a better start in life. At the very least, a natural birth gives baby and Mom a better shot at a successful breastfeeding relationship with a normal latch and suckle more likely from the start.
Good for you, Miranda, for sticking to your guns and showing once again that a supermodel isn’t necessarily just a pretty face and can be a force to be reckoned with in this age of false and misleading health propaganda from those who are supposed to “know” the most!
Sarah, The Healthy Home Economist
Source: Miranda Kerr’s Anti-Epidural Comments Incite Backlash
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{ 106 comments… read them below or add one }
“Give me a break. Isn’t the health of babies a lot more important than, sniff, mommy’s feelings (does anyone have a hankie?).”
I agree with this. I mean, yes, we need to respect each other, but so many women choose epidurals without researching them and not knowing the potential negative effects. Then when someone questions their decision, they immediately go on the defense. The health of the baby is more important than the feelings of the mama.
Amen! I cheered a little when I read that sentence
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I do agree that it would be best for women to go without drugs, however sometimes it just isn’t possible. My son was almost ten pounds and I was having terrible back labor, with my daughter I did fine without drugs, but couldn’t with him. I think sometimes we need to recognize that we are all just doing the best we can. I wasn’t progressing because of the pain with him, so I asked for the smallest dose and was able to feel pain, but it took off the edge and I progressed and delivered vaginally rather than a c-section. So sometimes an epidural can help. Please let’s respect everyone’s wishes and know that we are all trying to do what is best for our children with the knowledge and circumstance we each face.
nobody has a problem with women who bottlefeed or have a c-section or use an epidural because they NEED it.
the problem is with the masses of women who act like sheep, buying infant formula and scheduling c-sections and having epidurals “just because” and without bothering to do any of the research.
things like inductions and c-sections and epidurals and formula were developed for a REASON – using them as a matter of routine is abusing the technology.
But the real problem is that moms are routinely convinced that they “need” these things by doctors (and advertising). If birth (and nursing) did not work on it’s own most of the time none of us would be here!!! We are built to have babies and nurse them.
Another fact that is kept hidden to protect moms’ feelings is that babies who are *exclusively* breast fed have zero incident of SIDS, but no one wants to talk about that because we don’t want women who bottlefeed for convenience to feel bad. We are so worried that people might feel guilty for their actions that we hide facts that protect babies. It’s so sad!!
Love these comments. I must also point out that it can be overwhelming to research all the time. (I thrive on it, but it can be time consuming, stressful, etc–and still I don’t have time to research EVERYthing). Doctors’ schooling, and the medical system as a whole, needs some reworking. Doctors should learn some cross-cultural data and adequately inform their patients. We SHould be able to trust them but it is difficult to do so now….
Oh, you shouldn’t post that about SIDS until you have done some research. I personally know of two instances of babies that have died from SIDS that were exclusively breastfed. The credibility of your post just went out the door. I am a proponent of breastfeeding having had three homebirths, yet I know SIDS can affect any family that is breastfeeding or not.
I’m sorry to hear about those babies. I am only passing along what I have indeed researched. From what I have read *any* formula introduced also introduces risk of SIDS. Please don’t assume I’m throwing stuff around that I haven’t looked into…that’s calling my character into question which I don’t appreciate.
OK so maybe they can still die of SIDS my Aunt died at an time when breastfeeding was what was done. the 1930′s. How ever did these kids get vacc. that causes a lot of deaths. also people, here is easy, fast way to do research… unhinderliving.com She has all the info on true natural birth. We did this with our little one, now 10 weeks. It was beautiful and no way would you get jacked up with chemicals unless you yourself decide something was truly wrong (instinctively and ended up going to H.
Im sorry Wendy, you are grossly wrong.
My nephew was breastfed from birth. Natural labour, No drugs used. Mom a total healthy eating , happy person.
He passed on at 3 months from SIDS.
I am not goign to get into a spit fight over this. I am just asking you to be careful with blanket statements without proof. In our family we are still trying to heal, months later.
It is unfortunate that very few people know that sleeping on a geopathic stress line can also cause SIDS. Google ‘are you sleeping in a safe place?’ if you are interested.
Did your nephew sleep in a crib or with mom?
I heartily agree.
Stephanie my son was 10 pounds, and it was painful, hard work, but after the birth of my first (daughter) I was determined to go as drug-free as I possibly could. My daughter’s birth was longer than it should’ve been and she wouldn’t suckle. I regret not being better informed for my first child, but I was for the second and it made me tougher, able to birth a 10-pounder with no drugs and no stitches. Treating epidurals as a standard procedure helps no-one.
Well, I don’t know how to support a supermodel, but if she writes a book or something one day, I’ll probably buy it to show my little vote of approval.
Miranda Kerr actually has a really fantastic line of organic beauty products: http://www.koraorganics.com/
And the blog on her website is fantastic… it has a bunch of women contributors and discusses all kinds of subjects from pregnancy to health to recipes to beauty and more… I would definitely recommend checking it out!
“Give me a break. Isn’t the health of babies a lot more important than, sniff, mommy’s feelings (does anyone have a hankie?).”
I’d like to point out that this reasoning has been used a LOT in defense of hospital/c-sections against birth center/home birth. it all depends on how you spin what best supports the health of babies.
Not alpathic med
my 1st baby i had with an epidural. mostly because i was young and blindly followed what my doctors said. my following babies i had naturally, as i had become better informed and was more mature and knew how to stand up for myself. i can definitely tell the difference in my babies, between a medicated birth and non medicated one. my non medicated babies were so much more alert and suckled immediately after birth. i personally feel that medicated births definitely produced drugged babies.
This was my experience as well. Very young with my first child and succumbed to the “fear” being thrown around. Birth two and three – babies much more alert and took immediately to the breast. Not to mention the incredible headache that lasted for days and the bubbly sensation that settled in my shoulders from the epidural.
Not to mention the dangers in epidurals. Not sure what the stats are but I personally know three people that had issues with epidurals. I myself, had an epidural with my first c-section (which I now know was completely unnecessary), the epidural did not work and I felt the incision on my uterus and then it took over 24 hours to have any feeling in my legs…rather scary. I had a neighbor who had an epidural for a vaginal birth and the epidural stopped her heart and lungs. By the time they were able to resuscitate her, the baby had mild brain damage but my neighbor had severe brain damage and spent the next 10 years in a semi coma state until she died. Another family member has been in a wheelchair for 17 years after a failed epidural.
wow. Horrible stories. I feel for you in your own experience.
She’s entitled to her opinion, of course. However, it would be more beneficial if she based her opinion on medical facts. The truth is, an epidural is a local anesthetic which in no way affects the baby. I say this as a nurse with 18 years experience and a long history also practicing complementary medicine.
then, hon, you need to get some serious updating done on your education.
“The medication used in epidurals (local anesthetics such as bupivicaine) crosses the placenta by diffusion. This means that when epidurals are administered, the medication rapidly diffuses across cell membranes, crosses the placenta and enters the bloodstream of the baby. According to one study, bupivicaine (administered via an epidural) was found in blood samples taken from newborns after the mothers had an elective cesarean.
While it is clear that epidurals cross the placenta and reach the baby and can both indirectly and directly affect babies, we still don’t know exactly how epidurals can affect the baby in every situation and for every mother and baby.
Read more at Suite101: Do Epidurals affect Babies?: While some medical professionals claim that epidurals have no affect on babies, others say that epidurals do reach babies. What do we know about the way babies are affected by epidural analgesia? | Suite101.com http://suite101.com/article/do-epidurals-affect-babies–a8281#ixzz22XuTpFNl“
the pure fact that mom and baby are connected says it goes to baby. the placenta on;y filter out the natural stuff not mans chemicals. Med science will say anything to justify it’s self and get $$$$$$$$$
Without any regard to scientific studies, I can say that having had an epidural, it most definitely crosses the blood-brain barrier, as it totally sedated me and made me quite loopy. And any med that passes the BBB also passes the placenta. Regardless of what my OB nurses said about it affecting the baby, after my catheter was placed, I knew better. I had to have an emergency Cesarean, and the details following birth are quite fuzzy, although I don’t recall any deficits in my baby when he was born and he never had trouble nursing (until after his circumcision, which is an entirely different discussion). And I, too, am a nurse.
forgot to mention that with my youngest, they bollixed up the epidural – it was not going *into* the spinal cord, it was being injected into the spinal cavity (between the cord sheathe and the bone, basically). it did *nothing* for pain relief (i could even feel it when the nurse’s badge brushed against my foot as she passed by the end of the bed) and every time they topped it up, the world went grey (like an old black-and-white movie) and all the monitors would go crazy. the nurse even said “what are you donig!? stop that!” as if i had some kind of control over it!
I love her after hearing her share on these issues!!! Though this is fairly old news, I think it’s still amazing to have a spokesperson in her who stands by what she says.
It’s interesting, then, that epidural drugs are almost immediately detectable in cord blood, and double-blind studies have been done showing that there is a 12% increase in breastfeeding difficulties where the baby that has been born under epidural anesthesia does not have adequate sucking or rooting reflexes to initiate breastfeeding for the first 2.5 hours.
She has written a book called ‘Treasure Yourself’ & she also has the most amazing website under her business name Kora, as well as fantastic skin care products. She’s one girl us Aussies are very proud of!!
Thanks Kathie, I had no idea she had a website and business. Hopefully she delivers to little old New Zealand
As a survivor of childhood abuse my body reacts to pain in a way I cannot control, yet. What gave my DD a vaginal birth was an epidural even though I didn’t want it, it was the best for us. Humbled me quite a bit too
My first (when I had an epidural) was incredibly lethargic and I was determined to not have that happen again. My second was born naturally, but with (surprise) major medical issues. She barely made it and I firmly believe that had she been lethargic like her sister, she would have died. Epidurals, along with other interventions can be wonderful tools in a birth, but there are risks and women need to know that.
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I rarely respond to controversial subjects but as a mother of 4 who had 3 epidurals and aweful labor and complications with them and then 1, my last, and completely natural labor at a birthing center, my experience trumps “medical facts”of which you are seemingly refering to a western experience and medicinal experience which is quite small compared to the majority of the world which practice natural methods and midwifery options for birthing assistance. It really depends on your opinion of what affects a baby? the medical, pharmaceutical and FDA that regulates all of our food, personal care products and cleaning products all affect our babies and it’s proven in their umbellical cord fluid. Sometimes the real facts are hidden. But we are all entitled to our opinion absolutely!
My son was the best examples of a “drugged baby”. Induction at term for convenience and epidural (b/c I didn’t know any better then) resulted in a very very sleepy baby who was not one bit interested in my milk. Also, he was diagnosed with autism at the age of 2.5. Coincidence or consequence? Only God knows. I got smarter and educated with my 2nd babe.
interesting: all three of mine were induced (number one, now 26, after 3 days of labour and no progression; number two, now 23, bec at 36wks she was already over 8lbs; and number three at 39wks bec she bec non-responsive).
number one was born with an apgar of 6 – she was blue, not breathing, needed a pretty good smack to get her going, and her heart rate was poor; her second was 8. once she was up and running, though, she was *active*. she has asperger’s.
number two, i don’t know – they rushed her away and i didn’t see her for seven hours.
number three, now 5, well she was dazed and confused, weak, and breastfeeding was HELL. i mean HELL. she couldn’t nurse longer than about 30 seconds before she conked out. at 24hrs, she went from 7lb 10 to 6lb 4 and when i looked at her compared to her contemporaries, i said to the nurse “if this was a kitten in one of my cat’s litters, it would be dead in about 48hrs.” she’s okay, now, though – i had to get extreme with the breastfeeding (ever try nursing every ten minutes around the clock and, a few days later, every 20min around the clock with a nipple cracked in three pieces?) but she was diagnosed in june with ASD.
Kamila, are you suggesting that an epidural can cause Autism? When will this paranoia end? There is no basis for such a statement.
- Mother of a boy on the Autism spectrum
I agree with everything in this article except for two statements. My husband and I eat coconut oil every day and also preach natural, unmedicated births that are NEVER induced for any reason other than extreme medical necessity. We are also in staunch opposition to c-sections unless a true, dire emergency. As a seasoned OB nurse, natural childbirth educator, and the wife of an OBGYN, we can’t, and could never afford a Yacht or a vacation home. Nor does my husband accept (or has ever been offered) kickbacks from any drug companies (that’s illegal…and they are not even allowed to give the office pens anymore). We live in a tiny house in a poor neighborhood, and it doesn’t look like we’ll be able to move out anytime soon, even though we are surrounded by crime and have been robbed twice. I myself, was ignorant about how much of your own money goes into becoming a health provider before marrying. However, my husband knew what he was getting into and did so anyway. Want to know why? It’s his calling. My husband’s liability insurance (one of the highest out there), his student loans, and poor reimbursement in our very urban, medicaid dependent area actually leaves little left over. My husband and I realize that we are the exception to the current, medical model when it comes to OB care, but please let’s make your newsletters a little more believable and get real about how much they are reimbursed. The yacht and vacation jab was just a little insulting. Not all healthcare providers are out there to do harm, take your money and run away with an evil laugh. We do this job because we love it, not for the money. If we wanted money, we would have HAD to gone into another area of medicine. OB is NOT a high paying area, and because of all the liability involved, one of the riskiest. Epidurals? NO. Coconut oil? YES! Stereotyping? Please, for the love of kefir and kombucha let’s leave that for someone else’s page that isn’t as cool as The Healthy Home Economist’s. Big let-down for one of your BIGGEST fans.
As respectable as your passion is , your situation is still in the minority as are most medical or law professionals that work in and with people in lower income bracket. We can all become stereotyped to one degree or another. Coming from FL a state where c-section rate is 50% its hard to believe that drugs and interventions , as well as, convenience does not play a huge roll in this. Epidurals and petocin do interfere with birth and the baby period. The point is,like most things in our culture, what becomes a medical advancement for emergencies ends up the next convenience tool hiding the side affects and the dangers and highlighting all the so called benefits. And I have no doubt you and your husband do the job for a calling but a large majority do it for a very fat paycheck and when as a patient in a low income bracket , like myself, asks these questions, the majority of o.b’s are not open and supportive and like minded and treat you as if you are off your rocker and drinking too much kombucha for being concerned or wanting natural methods. And although stereotypical, that has been mine and the natural birthseekers along with mainstream experience.
I couldn’t have expressed those sentiments better myself. The OBs that I’ve seen more recently have had to do fundraisers just to cover increases in their malpractice insurance. They are most definitely not in it for the money, they are in it for the moms and babies. When generalizations are made like the ones made in this post, it only divides us and does nothing towards bringing us all together, even when we begin like-minded on the subject to begin with. While I agree with roughly 95% of what Sarah says, I am not able to implement everything I believe to be best for my family’s health, therefore the condescending tone that seems to accompany too many of the posts lately has brought me to the point where I need to unsubscribe from the feed. Sarah, I really hope that you consider comments like ours, because you have a great message that is needed in our society. I would hate for people to be turned off by your tone when, I believe, your intentions are good. Thanks for all that you’ve taught me. You’ve helped change the way my family looks at health. God bless you!
I am encouraged to hear that there are OB’s out there who are NOT in it for the money and the perks (my brother in law is a regional supervisor for a pharmaceutical company and I KNOW for a fact that most dr.’s DO accept “gifts”, but I’m glad to know that yours doesn’t:). It is very difficult for me to believe, however, that this is true of most or even many dr’s. The cesarean rate in Miami is over 50% and one hospital here has an over 70% rate, which they seem to be very proud of. I am not naive enough to believe that these rates have anything to do with safety or that “Miami has a lot of high risk pregnancies” as I’ve read in articles. Even though the rates here are the highest in the country, I find that most people I know, all over the country, do have c-sections and it’s frustrating as heck! Whenever a friend or acquaintance go into labor, I spend hours in prayer that the doctors will leave the poor girl alone and allow her to do what God intended in childbirth. Even the one’s that do end up birthing vaginally do so with tons of interventions that are completely unnecessary. Sarah, I would love for you to do some research on the use of cytotech/ misoprostol. A high percentage of women I know were induced with this medicine…mind you, the manufacturer does not only not endorse the use of this medicine for laboring but they actually warn AGAINST it, yet it’s used all over the country for this purpose. I was at a labor where I ASKED the supposed Midwife (in a hospital setting) if what they were using was cytotech and she looked straight at me and said, “oh no, this is miso”…at the time, I was unaware that “miso” is short for misoprostol which is the actual generic name of the medication. By the way, this drug, as per the manufacturer is to be used ONLY “to prevent ulcers in people who take certain arthritis or pain medicines, including aspirin, that can cause ulcers.” Needless to say, my daughter had a vbac at home.
well said. as a medical care provider, that was insulting.
alas, Kimberly Moore and her hubby (along with my beloved family doctor) are in the vast minority. bec of my health problems and my daughters’ health problems, i have a LOT of experience in the receiving end of the medical profession.
put it this way: i ended up in hospital with cholecystitis. i was in for ten days hooked up to four different IV bags, painkillers, massive antibiotics, gravol, etc. the surgeon told me my gallbladder was “chock full” of stones, it HAD to come out *immediately*. but not right now – here’s a prescription for more antibiotics, come by the office in ten days to schedule the procedure.
in the waiting room, there were fourteen women waiting along with me – ALL of us there to have our gallbladders removed. that gave me pause and when the receptionist said there’d be another half-hour to an hour (i was already an hour past my scheduled appt), i said i’d call back to rebook and left.
my bf at the time talked me into giving it another go so i went again and booked the surgery – for a month down the road bec the doctor was going on vacation at the end of the week. then the doctors went on strike, so my surgery was postponed again. the strike ended and my surgery was rebooked…. then they called me to rebook it again because the doctor was going to a conference in phoenix, arizona, for two weeks.
i told them to stick it.
Thank you for what you and your husband do, it is people like you who make a real difference in this world. I hope that you manage to get your student loans paid off and pray that your community becomes safe and stress free to live in.
I believe that all stereotypes, generalizations and assumptions have a negative impact on this world. Doctors are no exception to that. I do not believe we should ever speak for another human being as to why they do what they do, especially something that can be as demanding as a doctor’s job. It is a different matter entirely if someone is blatant about just wanting to get rich, but I have a little more faith in humanity than believing that every single doctor is out to get me.
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Epidurals certainly have their place, but it should be universally realized that they CAN have negative effects on mother and baby. Very, very few women seem to realize this. Kerr is not condemning anyone here – merely stating that she wants to aim for what is best for her baby in an ideal situation…and she should be applauded!
I had an epidural with one of my dds,and she was incredibly lethargic when she was born. They had trouble resuscitating her. It truly scared me. I never had one after that except for one birth when I had an (unnecessary) C-sect (of course I didn’t know that at the time). Now I feel I have a much better education and I will always choose the more natural route whenever I can. Oh, and I LOVE my coconut oil, too!
Had epidurals with both of my sons (both induced, “overdue”) – both were born with very low blood sugar levels. Anyone know if there is any correlation?
I also like Miranda Kerr.
that could be because they cut cord as soon as they come out. should leave attached till blood goes in kid. cord will stop pulsing. many are yellow too from not getting there blood. H wants that blood to DNA your kid for public records you don’t know about and they also SELL the whole cord and placenta to either science or beauty company’s. it’s in some creams and such that people buy!
Megan – you are wrong on almost everything you said.
1. Having cord blood run in until the cord stops pulsing has NOTHING to do with glucose levels. While it is generally good for the baby, it does not affect glucose. Common things that cause neonatal hypoglycemia are maternal diabetes, babies that were IUGR/are now SGA, infection/sepsis and preterm delivery. There are other less common things as well.
2. Babies are not “yellow” because they don’t get the cord blood. They jaundice immediately after birth is generally physiologic due to developmental changes in the newborn. There is obviously a more indepth explanation. Post a follow-up if you’re interested, and I’d be happy to provide it.
3. Hospitals don’t sell the cord and placenta. Many times it goes down to the pathology departments so that it can be analyzed for changes that may affect the baby or explain something that’s going on with the baby. If it doesn’t go to pathology, it’s thrown away as medical waste… unless the mom wants to save it and eat it or plant it, etc.
I’m grateful to see celebrity parents speaking out about these topics with courage, as more of this needs to happen since sadly, so many people base their decisions on what they read in the media. It’s true that there are many medical professionals who care and who want to do the best they can for their patients, but unfortunately, many of them simply don’t understand about nutrition or inform patients of the side effects of the drugs they administer. As Sarah says, the majority are towing the line of conventional recommendations for what to do before, during, and after pregnancy, and child birth as well.
Great article – all the more reason people should explore hypnosis for childbirth. A former co-worker of mine chose to use it for the birth of her second son and while she was fully awake and alert throughout the the experience, she didn’t need an epidural or any medication. She only felt the sensation of pressure in the pelvis and very little pain. She told me every woman should use hypnosis.
I’ll definately avoid an epidural for my next pregnancy after reading this! It hadn’t occurred to me that the drugs would get to my baby (then again I wasn’t a WAPF or THHE follower back then and just towed the party line, so to speak). I’m fortunate in that my little man came out fully alert. Maybe his size helped, but he was alert, scored top marks in his apgar and lifted his head as soon as he was put on my chest – I was a bit taken aback by that!
I’ll definately use my TENS machine and birthing pool for number two (unfortunately I have to have a hospital birth as I had an emergency c-section as I couldn’t get the little dude out – and I tried for a loooooong time to avoid a c-section). At least I’ll be armed with lots of knowledge this time round 
Good for her?…although pre-learning about how epidurals and pitocin were bad.. I had both used for the birth of my son…he was really alert when born and never had issues with breastfeeding and I do not feel there was any lack of bonding and he has had almost impeccable health…
Meant to say good for her!
So glad to see a supermodel promote coconut oil. Go Miranda! Btw, I have been reading your blog periodically for the past three months Sarah and I wish I found it sooner.
I recently had someone tell me they are reading a book that connects Austism to epidurals. Not sure if this is junk science, but worth looking into.
i have three girls, all were induced, all had complications during pregnancy, no 1 and 3 were bombarded with MANY ultrasounds. dd1 and 3 are ASD, the 2nd has CAPD (considered in some circles to be on the spectrum as well). considering one of the suspected causes of autism is brain damage at the cellular level, i totally believe epidurals contribute.
I’m about to move to Warsaw, Poland next month and did some research on the birthing practices there. Elective epidurals are illegal, all normal births are attended by well-trained midwives and wouldn’t you know, their csection rate is 16%. About half of the united states. I was blown away.
That’s pretty awesome! Didn’t know that
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Bravo for women speaking the truth about birth! It is such a shame that our medical system and culture fail couples by not telling them the truth about what normal birth really is. To be fair, most obs (surgeons) are not taught normal birth. So many women do not know that they have choices in childbirth. As we share these truths, hopefully more and more couples will begin to research their options, take a great childbirth education class and become truly educated on normal birth. Then they can make the best, informed choices for their family.
It’s interesting to me that people become defensive when someone speaks their own truth. It doesn’t sound as though Ms. Kerr is condemning anyone, only stating her truth. Epidural babies are drugged and slower to bond. It’s a fact and a choice some people choose. Personally, I agree with all of her views in this piece. Seems crazy that people get so bent out of shape.
I had an epidural & my son was born incredibly healthy & amazingly alert without any breastfeeding issues…I think women should be made aware of the possibilities & potential dangers of ANY medical procedure, but should not be made to feel guilty because they chose an epidural & in some opinions weren’t giving their babies “the best possible start in life “. Of course Kerr can speak her mind & good for her & the decisions she has made, but I can also speak my mind & I feel she comes off as a bit self righteous.
When our daughter was born, her birth other had an epodural for her birth…then when they called the doctor to deliver, he was in is car to ANOTHER hospital for a different birth. He told the L &D nurses to give her ANOTHER epidural while the baby was crowning until he showed up.
I of course didn’t know any of this until after she was born. If I had known, I would have tried to get the L&D nurse to deliver (we all know they can).
This doctor complicated an otherwise uncomplicated delivery…and as a result, my daughter slept for two weeks after birth. I had to wake her every two hours and force her to eat.
There is a time an a place for epidurals for sure, but doctors are only thinking of themselves (and their yacht payments) if they insist on giving them….
MIRANDA IS CORRECT USING THE COCONUT OIL…I STILL USE IT EVERYDAY ON ENDS AND OUTER LAYERS OF MY LONG HAIR and for a finishing shine …IT PROVED THE BEST REMEDY EVER ON ALL THE LONG HAIR I TREATED (COSMETOLOGIST/SALON OWNER) AT MY FORMER SALON IN THE HILTON HAWAIIAN VILLAGE, HONOLULU.
Love Miranda…
“Give me a break. Isn’t the health of babies a lot more important than, sniff, mommy’s feelings (does anyone have a hankie?).”
Seems like you are not showing respect for others who may choose to do things differently than you.
Respect for child abuse? If I smoked marijuana while I was in labor CPS would take my newborn away from me. After doing the research, I consider that a much safer alternative to epidurals. I know it is difficult. I had my first in the hospital, was dilated to nine after 12 hrs. of hospital labor with a posterior baby when I had pitocin and an epidural forced on me, by threat of a c-section. Even though it was insanely difficult, I would have endured had the hospital staff let me. After that I came home and had two natural labors, where my midwives used exercises to turn my babies anterior. They knew what to do when the hospital staff had been ignorant. Then I had a posterior NINE pound boy that wouldn’t turn. Several hours more labor than my others, and he came posterior. NO pain medications. It was so painful that had I been in the hospital I would have asked for a epidural. I recently had a nurse comment that I “must be made for easy births” since I was so willing to do it at home. That couldn’t be further from the truth. The fact is, it’s the hardest thing I have to go through, BUT I am adamant about doing what is best for my babies. I say all of this because I can UNDERSTAND what women go through, but I do NOT respect the decision to drug ourselves and especially our babies to make life easier for a few hours.
Thanks for writing this response. I, too, love this blog, but could do without some of the snideness and sweeping stereotyping that is more ranting than on message (not to mention it undermines credibility). Don’t get me wrong — one of the reasons I like this blog is the non sugar-coated, “get real people” attitude. And I keep coming back because I have a high tolerance for this tone, but every once in a while I just get that ick-factor. My hope is that this feedback is taken constructively, not defensively, since the messages behind the rants are so important and necessary. Lord knows we all need to rant about this screwed up world and say nasty things out of frustration, but I can’t help feeling that some of this should be saved for friends and family around the kitchen table. And then maybe by the time the writer gets back to her computer to post, some of the edge will be softened.
bluewaters_14, thank you; everything you’ve written here is exactly what I was thinking. I’m feeling very ambivalent recently toward this blog, and “ick-factor” sums it up pretty well. I really appreciate the work Sarah does to bring us informative content and practical information we can all use to improve our health. On the other hand, the sweeping and short-sighted generalizing and stereotyping that run rampant here are truly beneath the dignity of thinking adults. Anyway, “thumbs-up” on your comment.
I had epidurals 10 and 12 years ago and my babies didn’t suckle or latch on well and it was a very, VERY rocky start to breastfeeding, which I did exclusively the first 9 months and 7 months of my boys’ lives. However… if I knew then what I know now… I would do things very differently. I wonder if my youngest son’s diagnoses of ‘failure to thrive’ didn’t first start b/c of the drugs in childbirth. Then we had reflux issues and medications that I am certain stunted his growth. He is thriving now because he is off the drugs and eats a traditional diet, but again, if I knew then what I know now…
How is what she said not respectful of other moms? She may be a supermodel, but she is allowed to have her own thoughts, no? Just b/c someone may believe something that I don’t believe, that doesn’t mean that person is disrespectful of me when expressing said belief. We need thicker skins in mommydom, I think.
Agree w/ Kristine!! Difference of opinion doesn’t mean we hate or are racist of the other peoples opinion. Thinker skin is a perfect way to put it;)
i think the same (being one who has a talent for putting the cat among the pigeons) – i sometimes feel like there’s this “accepted style forum” manual that i’ve not been made privy to, the number of times i’ve been accused of being confrontational when all i did was state an opinion that didn’t toe the fluffy pink party line.
i also think it’s a mark of how self-centred so many ppl are, that they think every post is about them, personally.
me, if someone does something knowing it’s the best option for them at the time – rock on. i don’t care if it’s epidurals, bottle feeding, induction, early potty-training, whatever. if it’s what is NEEDED so the entire family can function at its best – knock yerself out.
what gets me going is “oh – i couldn’t breastfeed – i need my sleep”, or “oh, no, i had a c-section – who wants to end up with a cooch like a deflated balloon, hurh, hurh” (YES, i know someone in actuality who had an elective c-section so she could keep her youthful vaginal tone! it’s not all just hollywood, folks!)
THAT is when my nasty side comes out bec clearly *someone* has to think about that baby!
I had my 1st baby at 18 and did what I was told – they used twilight sleep on me and I bottle fed her – but I figured out it wasn’t good and my next 3 were breast fed and had natural birth with the next 2, the 4th one, turned wrong – needed an epidural to prevent a c -section – we keep learning and it’s great to have this community to open our eyes to better ways – it’s a real blessing and hope for our future. Much appreciated, Sarah!
I agree! There is no safe drug, but at times we need them. I don’t like going to doctors and hospitals the most. I hate drugs! I had my first child by c-section. I was in labor for 38 hours with water broke from the beginning and my cervix did not open a bit all this time. I did not want any drugs, but had to try some induction. When they checked me 30 hours later on induction and there was no change, I cried and my husband and my mom did too along with me. I knew I needed surgery and all those drugs that come with it. With second pregnancy I decided to go with WBACK and hoped for better outcome. Well, it was not so. Yes, I had successful VBACK and everybody were impressed in that hospital. Not many women have successful VBACK. But I got through a hell. My water broke again, my cervix was closed, but I was in labor. My midwife did not want to wait to long knowing my previous problem. She put balloon to open my cervix manually and it was really painful. This made me so tense that I could not relax fully, but I tried my best. It worked and I got in to full active labor after 20 long dragging painful labor hours. 24 hours later I felt like throwing up and could not talk, shaking like crazy. I hoped I was close to the end. Well, I was only 5 cm. There is no way I could go any longer without pain relief. I needed some sleep too. I was not progressing because I was not letting my body to do it’s job. I could not relax. Once they gave me epidural, I fell asleep for a couple of hours and woke up from bad pain in my back and I was ready to push. …. What I want to say here is that you can believe and strive for natural and best outcome, but never be so sure. Labor is unpredictable thing and it may go in totally wrong direction then you expected. I was very disappointed with my first labor. I felt like a failure. The second time I just said to myself: “I will fill great if I have VBACK no matter what I have to do.” But I would be fine if that did not work. It’s great to have it the way you want without drugs, but be flexible in case things go wrong. Just do your best.
Your stories illustrate why birthing without an epidural is so difficult for many women. The first way to avoid an epidural is to LET LABOR START ON IT”S OWN. Water breaking does not mean that labor has started unless there are also contractions. Basically, your labor was induced both times. This is the first step to an unnaturally painful labor, and probably preventable c-section. Some research suggests that a posterior baby often breaks the “forebag” of water before labor begins. Many doctors count this as the start of labor and immediatly begin measures to “speed up” the process, when the reality is that the baby is not in a good position and needs a mobile mother to turn into a better one for birth.
The most important part of labor is NOT dilation, but the descent of the baby through the pelvis. Common sense would tell us that this is most easily accomplished without and epidural, but of course this wouldn’t make the hospitals, anesthesiologists, and OBs nearly as much money, plus they wouldn’t look like the saviors when nothing went wrong and mom birthed without any help from any of them.
Sara r. I know what you mean, but I had broken water for hours with first labor and nothing was happening. My baby was not moving down and cervix was shot close. I also was 40 week pregnant. With second labor I had pretty strong contractions at home for two days with little brake the second morning then water broke. Again 70% effaced as the first time. But this time I had strong close together contractions. I allowed only local induction stimulating and softening cervix with 1st labor after 12 hours after water broke and used balloon the second time when I got in to a hospital. I researched a lot about labor and was so convinced that bad things do not happened to strong women. And I can tolerate very strong pain. I treated my teeth without pain relive, had only one time strong pain relive drug after c-section, never took a single pill from pain after pulling couple of teeth. I was sure I did not need pain relive during labor. I was so arrogantly sure about it. The first labor last 38 hours without epidural (I did not really had labor) and the second labor was 2 days at home virtually with no sleep plus 29 hours in the hospital. Small percentage of women died during labor in the past. Of course doctors misinform and scare women about labor all the time. I think they are scared of it themselves or they would allow women to labor without early interventions. I had midwives both times and actually fired one midwifery group when I was 6 months pregnant because they were more like doctors and were controlled by doctors. My friend has a friend who had home birth. She turned gray literally after that. Her labor was very long and painful. She could not get epidural and for what ever reason the could not go to a hospital. She said she would never do it again.
my god-daughter had her baby at home. i coached her on the phone and she had a midwife present. they couldn’t understand why she was not progressing – it wasn’t until they actually went in an LOOKED that they discovered a scar running around her cervix. they thought at first it was from a cerclage or maybe a nuvaring she’d forgotten to remove at some point but she didn’t even know what those are. when her baby was born, he had a distinct ridge around his head where his skull had been jamming up against the scar.
and yet, she delivered without pain relief stronger than extra strength tylenol; the baby was lusty and loud before he was even out all the way; she required *zero* stitches; and the very next day walked to the mall to get diapers. midwife said without that scar interfering, active labour would’ve probably been less than half an hour – as it was, it took an hour and a half.
now, you KNOW what would have happened had she been in the hospital – it would’ve been an emergency c-section before she could blink.
What ever she says is okay by me. She is quite photogenic.
I have been a doula at several births where the moms chose epidurals, and breastfeeding has been difficult with all of them. Even if they didn’t get much of the medication, there is the effects of the fluids that mom receives during the placement of the epidural, or the antibiotics to fight the fever that was probably caused by the epidural…The epidural + fluids seems to contribute to the plague of “flat nipples” that somehow every mom has despite thousands of years of sucessful feeding of children. Then baby looses “too much” weight, some of which is probably water weight from the fluids that mom received. Then they have to supplement because baby has lost weight from the fluids, can’t latch on because of mom’s “flat” nippes probably caused by the epidural, and has “breastfeeding jaundice” because, despite all of this, mom is trying really hard.
So…the epidural trials don’t stop at birth, that’s what I’m saying! Personally I have had two uneventful, normal births with two well-nursing babies. I am glad that I knew enough to research and do things my way, but sad that other women put too much trust in the “system” and are hurt by it.
I think the IV fluids of magnesium and salts that they give you have more to do with the water retention and flat nipples than the epidurals. I’ve been there on the extra fluid trip with weight loss of the infant. What a heart breaking farce of a bad cycle for mom. I’ve been there too.
Yes, but the fluids must be given with the epidural; that was my point. You can’t really separate the effects beause they must be given together to offset the drop in blood pressure that often happens with an epidural.
aside from the mommy thing, i want to state categorically that she is probably one of the most beautiful people i’ve seen in a while – it’s not the structure of her face, it’s that every time i see a photo of her, including the so-called “controversial” ones, there’s no “look at me, making a political statement!” expression. i have always thought that her face has a warm, open, *giving* vibe about it. stunning as she is, i would totally have no problem walking up to her and asking if she knew the time or where the nearest subway is or where i could find a book shop.
not like some of the more flagrant “philanthropists” who always look like they’re mentally keeping tabs on their karmic score.
what are your thoughts on tahitian noni juice? Kerr swears by that stuff too.
I agree with Orlando Blooms wife! Lol, I use this virgin coconut oil called Memory Oil AALLL the time! Memory Oil is by far my favorite, very good stuff and it’s also ridiculously cheap at only $10. Awesome! Give Memory Oils a shot!
Good for you for telling it like it is, Sarah! What has happened to free speech? The thought police really are indoctrinating people. If someone states (as Kerr did) why she chooses not to use a harmful drug, why should anyone get all up in arms about it?! Facts are facts and the medical industry at large doesn’t want the public to have them…it’s bad for business. Having your baby at home is the safest, most peaceful and most empowering option.
Diet in pregnancy is everything.
One thing that people are forgetting is that if mom is MALNOURISHED in pregnancy, she is going to have a hard LONG painful labor that if not for modern medicine she and/or the child would DIE would die in childbirth. This is NOT doctors being melodramatic. The rampant malnutrition among pregnant women over the past 80 years since Dr Price did his study is showing in the amount of cesarians needed.
Natural childbirth people (like I am but now I know about nutrition) like to make it out like it’s only doctors wanting to operate. Modern malnourished mom’s generally NEED this intervention. Maternal Malnutrition is the bread and butter of OB/GYN’s. If moms had all they needed, labor would indeed be short and sweet and OB’s would be unnecessary, though for my sake I’m glad they exist.
This malnourished mom will also be later than natural in producing milk since an alive mom with no milk is better for the child’s long term survival than dead lactating mother. Her body is holding back milk to heal itself. That is if she and the baby would have survived at all without medical intervention.
It’s disgusting when at the time of crisis people make it out to be mind over matter. You can’t mind over matter kidney and liver failure due to toxemia. I did 24 hours of contractions every 90 seconds until organ failure started and another 4 hours after that. I didn’t need a doctor to tell me that if I didn’t agree to cesarian one of us was not going to come out alive, and my son would have been fine, but its better to have an alive mother. Even then no epidural because I knew the risks but ended up agreeing to a spinal for the cesarian.
Since he was only in there for less than 5 min of the spinal he was born alert and low drug if not drug free. That was my next best wish come true considering I did all of that laboring drug free for him to be alert, I also decided I wanted to be alive to enjoy raising him. Forgive me for not wanting to be cut open without anesthesia. I would have done that but why do that when you don’t have to? At some point you might have to give it up. No need to feel guilty when you did your best. All you can do is learn from your mistakes, do better next time and pass along your info so others don’t have to suffer.
It’s easy to say what you will and won’t do if you are well nourished and prepared as you should be for labor and post partum and your labor is as nature intended. Another thing when through following bad advice you are not nutritionally prepared for a natural labor.
Thank you Sarah for this blog so women can know how to eat to have a good labor and have milk come in promptly so they can have a natural childbirth and avoid awful intervention scenarios for themselves and their child.
Your comments may be hurtful to many women who have been let down by a system that is set up to victimize them and make money off of sick moms and babies. Certainly most of us here would agree with you that diet is very important, but it is only one factor. Most c-sections in the US are not a result of the mother’s poor nutrition, but a cascade of interventions that prevent normal birth from occurring, many of them starting before labor even begins (“routine” cervical checks, for example). Our culture also tends to fear birth and place the doctor in the place of the savior, which often becomes a self-fulfilling prophesy.
Natural, easy births are possible without optimal nutrition. I know this, because with my first I had eaten mostly a low-fat diet my whole life, along with a few years of nearly being vegetarian. I also ate way too little. Fortunately for me I have still inherited my grandmother’s pelvis and my mom did breastfeed my sister and I so I had that going for me. My first labor was 5 hours, start to finish, with only about 45 minutes of really painful contractions. My milk took 4.5 days to come in but it did just fine and I nursed for 18 months. I started researching, learned about optimal nutrition, and changed my diet 180 degrees shortly before becoming pregnant with my son who is now 4 months old. 2.5 hour homebirth. The only difference I see between my daughter and son is that he is stronger than she was at this age, so it’s possible that my dietary changes have improved the quality of my milk, but my main point is that most women, even on a SAD, can birth their babies normally and feed them without supplementation. To tell them otherwise is to ignore evidence that it is doctor’s, insurance companies’, and hospital policies that have changed, not WOMEN.
sara r.: you are ABSOLUTELY correct… We have a broken birth culture in this country and it operates on fear. Women and babies are the victims of horrible paradigms and presuppositions about pregnancy and birth and what it requires. I’m sorry for your first experience, but you learned and you worked and healed and good for you for what you were able to accomplish with your son. I’ve posted an essay with my heartfelt conviction on this serious issue: http://www.radicallynatural.com/2012/08/laboring-under-delusions-how-fear.html
I wish all women could be empowered in this arena…to be physically healthy for their pregnancies and births, and to be emotionally healthy to do what their bodies can do.
you know? i’m SO ANGRY with the way things went with my three daughters, i’m severely tempted to have another baby just to deliver it without medical interference to *prove* i can actually do it right, for once. only one of my three inductions was actually necessary – my youngest, who was in severe distress and had gone non-responsive at 39wks bec of toxemia.
my oldest was induced – probably would’ve been totally unnecessary if they’d just let me get off my back.
my second was induced because of her size – at 36wks, she was over 8lbs and at term would probably weigh betw 10 and 11lbs. the doctor didn’t even discuss it with me – he prodded around and said “ooo-wee, you got a good liddle ‘un in there! 8lbs, easy! probably more!” and when i yelped and said “and HOW MUCH is it going to weigh!??”, his only response was “wanna find out tomorrow?” and at 7am the following morning i was on a city bus headed to the hospital. i’ve since found out that while my gestational diabetes likely played a part in it, it’s more likely just genetic luck: our family runs to big babies and i’ve got hips like the broad side of a barn so probably could’ve managed a big baby with ease.
but alas – i’m 45 so the odds of a son are slim to none.
An OB at 36 or 37 weeks said that my daughter was 7 pounds by feeling her. She was born at 40 weeks 6 pounds 13 ounces. My midwife thought that my son was going to be in the 8 pound range when she felt at 37 weeks, and he was born at 41 weeks only 7 pounds, 4 ounces. I guess I make small babies, but the estimates really didn’t hold true for me!
I would respect your blog a lot more if it were not for such condescending undertones. I went natural for my baby but would not belittle women for having an epidural. I believe in empowering women through encouragement, not trying to make them feel bad. I think this is the last time I bother with your blog or your opinions.
I tried really hard to go epidural free with my first birth! It was on my list of “stuff to avoid”. However, once I’d been in labour a long time and I wasn’t progressing… my obstetrician told me she’d like to give me one as she was thinking we might need a c-section. Honestly, at that point I was in too much pain and I just went along with it! Later I had the C-section… and it’s probably true it wasn’t as good for my baby as natural delivery would have been, but it just wasn’t happening.
Two other c-sections down the track… none of my babies were born drug free! It’s not ideal, but it happens… my kids are now all pretty healthy and happy (not perfect, but we’re working on that
).
I also want to add that while I agree that it’s best to be drug free… not all women seem to sail through labour as easily as others! I know my SIL just walked around and was fine during her short labours. Me, on the other hand, was in agony and couldn’t even walk around. As soon as I had a contraction I just crumpled to the floor. I had no idea it would be sooooo darn agonizing, and yet I’ve heard from other women that it isn’t THAT bad. I don’t think I’m a complete pain wuss either. I honestly wasn’t prepared for how painful labour was. At the end I really WAS glad for the epidural just for a break! If my labour had progressed at the “expected” rate, I’d have given birth well before then, but it just didn’t.
From my experience, I don’t judge women no matter how they choose to have their babies. I don’t like the idea of c-sections for the sake of convenience… but whether a woman needs one or not, or whether she chooses an epidural or not, I just don’t judge.
I’m sorry that your first birth didn’t go like you had hoped.
A few weeks ago I had a friend in labor who opted for an epidural. I couldn’t be there so I sent one of her friends and I was doula-ing through her, lol. Anyway, she “stalled out” at 9.5 cm for 8 HOURS. The doctor recommended a c-section after about 3 hours. Mom said that she might like the epidural to be turned down so that she could get into a different position, but the nurse and doctor kept telling her “no, it wasn’t a good idea”. I’m fairly certain that they didn’t want to because they assumed that she’d be having a c-section anyway. The parents waited and waited and the doc got stuck in surgery, and what do you know? Despite being on her back and with the epidural the baby was nearly crowning when the doctor returned and she birthed her almost 9 pound baby vaginally. I was so happy for her, but sad that she had to basically fight for what is the right of every pregnant woman- TIME to give birth. She also had all of the standard breastfeeding difficulties that are so common with hospital births.
I had an epidural with all three of my children. The first two were induced and my third came on his own (my water broke). I was hoping to go natural with my last one but the pain was just as bad as when I had the inductions. I am very grateful that I had the epidural and I would not look down upon women who choose to get one. I also did not notice my babies as being drugged up either.
I am glad that there are people out there like you that are questioning the efficacy of some of the Western Medicines practices and I usually agree with much of what you say. I did have one epidural many years ago before I knew better and then luckily I didn’t need one with my last son and it was my easiest and fastest delivery! I do take offense a little bit to your comments on doctors only wanting money to pay for expensive vacation homes and yacht payments, however. My husband is a surgeon and works 60-80 hours per week and has for the last 20 years. He is a compassionate, caring doctor and takes care of many people who don’t have insurance and can’t pay. He isn’t allowed anymore(which is a good thing) to take handouts from his surgical instrument companies and drug companies. Luckily for the consumer, this practice has changed dramatically.
Also, he is very open minded and listens to me when I talk about nutrition and how important it is so we don’t need medication! He always keeps this in mind when talking to his patients and even gives good nutrition advice! I am a very proud Doctors’ wife!
My dad is a Doctor too, employed by the hospital and it is his passion to help his patients…that includes nutritional advice and he is very cautious about pain killers, he doesn’t like patients to just get hooked and mask their problems…he really works to help them get better and has recieved a lot of wonderful letters and comments from patients. As far as yaucht payments and vacation homes…my dad nor any of his colleagues are enjoying the high life to that degree. If my dad gets a decent bonus some years, my mom might be able to expand her garden a little more but they are still working off the debt of the education to get to where he is now. They live in a small 1980s house that has never been updated….I hope someday they will be able to update their house and have a little more to show for all their sacrifice and hard work. I think most of the time, what doctors recommend and want to do is out of how they have been educated…not because they are personally getting rich. Then there are the specialist who run their own practice and I question that a little more…when I was pregnant…my son had a little more fluid on one side of his brain than the other…they sent me to the specialist and he said it was within normal range but he wanted to monitor it every 2 weeks for the rest of the pregnancy. (i was maybe halfway through it) my husband was like “is there anything you can do about it?” and there wasn’t….so my husband alluded to the fact that they just wanted us to keep coming in every 2 weeks and paying them the expensive fees for their specialist ultrasound equiptment even though if the fluid levels did increase there was nothing he could do about it…after pressing the doctor more he said we could just have the hospital do an ultrasound on his head after he was born to check the fluid levels. So that is what we did and he was fine….but without questioning and some pressure on them…he would have had us coming in every 2 weeks and charging us $400 to look at our sons within range fluid levels the remainder of the pregnancy…so not all Doctors are out there to hurt you or rip you off…but then again…some are!
Shawna Here: GOOD for her, I had my youngest at home, back in 1985. I enjoyed the home birth more than when, my oldest son was born, back in 1977 in a hospital, I did not think they gave epidurals back then. I did not like the fact that my son, born in the hospital, was shown to me & I did not get to hold him for what seemed like a hour. My son born at home was given to me right after his birth, before the cord was cut. I do not like the way hospitals just take control of you & your body & your childs. I have learned to say NO, now.
I had an epidural with each of my 3 children.
Labors went beautifully, children were born healthy and well and all went marvelously for the breast and were excellent nursers with no problems.
So, I’d rather not use blanket statements that “epidural babies are drugged.”
And in my opinion it is totally shameful to make women feel badly for using pain relief during the most excruciatingly painful experience a person can go through. Would you shame a man for being anesthetized for surgery or dental care? C’mon.
You know. Our first baby came out normal with no epidermal. Our second, with an epidermal came out sluggish. It took a month before it adjusted. I’m now sure after some consideration that Miranda is absolutly correct. I was one freaked out dad for that month. To add… Doctors and dentists do not care about us as long as they are insured from malpractice. They put forth the same old outdated information that is given them in universities to the detriment of their patients. I’m in the midst of using coconut oil to oil pull, along with becoming a vegan, to show my woman dentist that her advice that I need another crown is incorrect. I’m healing my cavity with no sugars and leafy greens, without her drilling and her bill. Man life is good.
That would be epidurals.
Bri\’s last post: The Sacrum and Stretching
Mothering magazine (mothering.com) has published articles on the dangers / negative effects of epidurals that are well researched and sourced.
Read it.
http://www.mothering.com/community/a/the-hidden-risk-of-epidurals
I feel I should elaborate. I had all 3 of my children naturally. The last one was a homebirth. All 3 were very very alert immediately. And would turn their heads when they heard their name. My first daughter raised her head off our shoulders and held it on her own at just 3 days old! My last son when on his tummy and would lift himself up and raise his head to turn to the other side. This right after birth at 1-2 days old! We continuously got comments on how alert our children were as infants. We didn’t think it strange at the time but everytime I saw another child around the same age, they just appeared to be unresponsive lumps, basically still drugged. It hadn’t left their systems yet.
But don’t take my word for it. Read the article I cited in my previous comment. It’s chock full of science and citations about the negative effects for both mom and baby.
Okay. This is really starting to annoy me. Okay, miss supermodel. Maybe you have a vagina that your child just walked out of, but not everyone does. Maybe, everyone who blasts Mothers who have epidurals, you had easier labours than others. But PLEASE, quit your holier-than-thou, I’m-a-stronger-better-Mom-than-you ATTITUDES.
MY story is as follows. My son was 8lbs 4oz, wide awake, nursing, eyes wide open looking around minutes after birth, Apgar of 9, pink, crying and PERFECTLY HEALTHY, and I had an epidural.
My daughter was 8lbs 7oz, wide awake, nursing (and at 8 months, still is with no signs of stopping), eyes wide open and curious minutes after birth, Apgar of 9, pink, crying and PERFECTLY HEALTHY, and I had an epidural.
Both labours, I wanted no drugs, but could not handle the pain. CALL ME WEAK, CALL ME A BAD MOTHER. PLEASE, INSINUATE THAT MY CHILD WILL HAVE LEARNING DISABILITIES, OR BE OBESE, OR THAT WE DIDN’T “BOND” PROPERLY.
Give your heads a shake and understand that not everyone has the pain threshold that YOU do. You MUST be better Mother’s than me. Good on you that you COULD do it without drugs, you must be a much better person than me. Because after bawling my eyes out, and throwing up during labour, I couldn’t handle it anymore. And the epidurals took just enough edge off that I made it until pushing. At which time it wore off, so I could feel everything during pushing.
When you make blanket statements about things which none of you know anything about unless you are a physician (I KNOW, researching things online makes you much much more knowledgeable than everyone else) you are insulting people with which you have absolutely no understanding of their situation.
Little miss supermodel can stand on her damn high horse all she wants, but I’d like to tell her where she can shove her “opinion”.
Um. Wow you read a lot into my post. I said absolutely nothing derogatory towards moms with epidurals or their children. Only that I notice others seemed unresponsive. And I cited an article full of scientific evidence and research on the subject. Before you lash out assuming you’ve been insulted, look at the link. I’m sure there are factors regarding what drug cocktail a person has and at what point in their labor they had it would increase its effects. For example if you had it late it may not affect the baby at all but I suppose if you had a really long labor with drugs early on you’d see more negative effects. My so that imentioned was very responsive following his birth actually had a very low apgar score because he was stuck with shoulder dystocia. The midwife had to shift him and pull him out, give oxygen , and rub him because he was purple. But after he got his first breaths he was extremely alert.
But please look at the mothering.com link. It has the research.
Just saying, whenever you use phrases like “fat, unhealthy looking doctors with expensive vacation homes and yacht payments”, your posts start to sound way propoganda-ish. This is coming from a Weston Pricer. Not trying to discourage you, but personally, I’ve never met a fat doctor. I just asked my husband, and he’s never met a fat doctor either.
Just saying.
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