tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346749784229772317.post2013926878926656687..comments2022-03-09T03:58:19.101-05:00Comments on Safer Midwifery for Michigan: Neonatal Mortality Part 1: "Babies Die in Hospitals Too!"MWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04125751490256911705noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346749784229772317.post-10151412843808964552012-06-02T21:21:17.445-04:002012-06-02T21:21:17.445-04:00Dear Mark,
Let me say how grateful I am for your...Dear Mark,<br /> Let me say how grateful I am for your comment and how sorry I am for your loss. I understand completely when you talk about how hollow words can be. The more I write about our experiences and learn about those of others, the more I think I should have started a blog/website to advocate for safer maternity practices, period. You're right, the hospital is far from perfect too, and I hope we aren't sending that message. All I can speak about is my own experience, knowing how ridiculous and preventable it was, how there is very limited opportunity for accountability, and how I think things could be improved. I agree that there is much room for improvement in maternity care. We're shifting our focus starting this week and the next several, to look more at collaborative care, meaning nurse midwives functioning in some capacity with obstetricians in our area. The points you made are important ones, and our greater Lansing area NEEDS more options for women and babies. I believe that Ingham county and the state of MI are among the worst when it comes to neonatal mortality rates according to the March of Dimes Peristats website. If you're willing or able, I'd love to talk more with you about your experience and ways you think things could be improved given your experience. We're currently starting a letter writing campaign and committee to gather research, visit other collaborative care models, and push for better options here. Whatever you're willing to share or in any way you'd like to take part, it would help all of us. Thank you for sharing. You can email me through the site or message Sara Snyder on face book to get in touch if it is something that interests you. Our best to you and your loved ones.Safer Midwifery MIhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04587761670182623797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346749784229772317.post-84600820158811136242012-06-02T19:47:59.742-04:002012-06-02T19:47:59.742-04:00Since my loss happened with an OB, I have a differ...Since my loss happened with an OB, I have a different perspective. The system in this country failed me and continues to fail way too many families. Statements like, “we may not be perfect, but we” ring so hollow when you’re the one who has trusted the system and yet had to bury your baby. The fact is 99% of births in the US occur in a hospital setting and the US has one of the worst perinatal mortality rates in the industrialized world. We shouldn't be comparing bad to bad (one hospital's loss rate in the US to another) and patting ourselves on the back and saying we are doing such a great job. The perinatal loss rate in Findland is 5 per 1000, Sweden is 6 per 1000, the US is 10 per 1000. When you read journal articles about how women give birth in those countries you will see some important differences. For example, in Sweden 90% of births take place in a hospital setting, but 100% of those births are attended by a midwife. Doctors do not assist at a birth except in cases of complication and then the midwife will send for a doctor. At Sparrow, families do not have access to a midwife attended hospital birth. You can have all the "procedures" you want in place but if they are not saving lives then they are meaningless. Please stop deluding yourselves into thinking we are doing a great job in this country. As a parent of a baby who didn't survive a hospital birth I implore you to seriously consider how you can get your loss rates down to 5 or 6 percent. That should be your goal!Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15569697907402678203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346749784229772317.post-18776023394002944662012-05-31T06:55:17.670-04:002012-05-31T06:55:17.670-04:00I think the most important thing here is that all ...I think the most important thing here is that all "sentinel events" are reported and investigated, not just deaths. So, when you hear about that homebirth in which "everything was perfect but baby came out a little gray and floppy but pinked up after some rubbing" and other near misses, those would be investigated as well even though "everything turned out fine."What Pale Blue Dot?https://www.blogger.com/profile/18389959936049538191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346749784229772317.post-21763783665241626692012-05-31T00:50:37.880-04:002012-05-31T00:50:37.880-04:00Excellent post! It brings up a painful subject for...Excellent post! It brings up a painful subject for me, however. With my last birth, I encountered a shoulder dystocia with only my poor, scared husband and a grossly unprofessional and incompetent nurse in attendance. My baby was born a little blue and with only a small bruise where the nurse yanked her out. I reported chest pain several hours later and was immed. given an EKG. The anesthesiologist diagnosed it as bruised intercostal muscles from pushing so hard. When I replayed all the events, I felt that negligent care and unprofessionalism were apparent with both the doctor and the hospital. About a year later I filed a grievance with my insurance against the doctor and hospital. I wanted accountability even though I would never know the outcome. Accountability is SO important,as well as common decency. Both were lacking by many people during my hospital stay. I still hope that in some way it made a difference. I am a strong advocate of women speaking out about adverse experiences because hospitals want their repeat business and that of their friends, family and neighbors!LauraThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15986846093055282121noreply@blogger.com