Three Rivers Birth Services

You may have heard about plastic surgery tourism in the news, where people travel out-of-country for a breast augmentation, a tummy tuck, or a nose job, either for a lower price or for recovery away from public scrutiny in a pleasant atmosphere.

But what about fertility tourism?

In some countries, such as in the UK, it is advised that women who undergo IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) have only one embryo transferred into their uterus.  There, fertility treatment is covered by the NHS (the UK’s public medical system free to all citizens), but the wait is long.   In the US, we have a privatized medical system.  IVF is very expensive, and not covered by insurance.

There is a 10-25% chance of implantation success with each embryo transferred.  So, in the US, most women opt for multiple embryos transferred in the hopes that they’ll not have to pay for treatment again and again (average cost for IVF is about $10,000-$15,000 per treatment).

Some women in the UK are opting to go ahead and pay for the treatment abroad (not to mention a vacation) in exchange for a faster treatment time and upping their chances of success. The NHS is not particularly happy about this, because of the risks and cost of higher order multiple pregnancies.

Here in the US, women are also opting for fertility tourism to find lower cost options than the staggering price tags they are hit with here in the states.

Some governments are pushing for more international regulation of fertility treatments to counteract potential downsides to this phenomenon.

I don’t have any particular insight about all this, but thought it was an interesting cultural phenomenon.  The world is certainly flat.

A new study published in The Journal of Perinatal Education finds first-time mothers want more information about how a newborn will impact their lives. Thirty-five percent did not feel prepared for the physical experience following birth and 20% did not feel prepared for the emotional experience.

Nearly half commented on some aspect of maternal health such as fatigue, postnatal depression and the work of caring for a new baby.

“As a leader in educating women about the mental and physical transitions they will undergo during pregnancy and postpartum, Lamaze International believes a series of childbirth education classes can be vital in preparing new moms,” comments Lamaze International President Allison J. Walsh, IBCLC, LCCE, FACCE. “Classes can empower women to have positive birth experiences and be informed about early parenthood challenges such as breastfeeding, handling fatigue and infant care.”

The rest of the story is here.

Besides taking a great childbirth education class, I would also add that hiring a postpartum doula is a GREAT idea, as is finding a postpartum support group.  Here in the Tri-Cities area, Jessica Burden is your go-to gal for all postpartum.  See her website here.

I’m halfway through the my first class as a childbirth educator, and so far I think it’s going pretty good!  I’ve gotten a ton of positive feedback.  Hopefully I’ll post pictures from the class soon, if I ever remember to pick up my camera (I’m having too much fun teaching to remember!).

I’d like to start a new session of childbirth classes starting in October, but need more mamas.  If you are in your second or third trimester and interested in independent, non-judgmental childbirth education, email me.

It’s virtually impossible not to be affected by the images and messages that our media and our culture sends us about what a woman should look like.

If you haven’t already seen this video from Dove, it’s time you should:

Onslaught

And this:

Evolution

Body image issues especially effect women during and after pregnancy.  Just as we are left with a body that seems foreign to us, we hear all kinds of (sometimes harmful) advice.  During a time of already sensitive emotions and possible postpartum depression, it is an especially vulnerable time.

The YWCA USA is backing a new documentary called “America the Beautiful” by filmmaker Darryl Roberts.  The film provides an in-depth look and critical analysis of the harm inflicted by beauty obsession on young women and girls, including risks of cosmetic surgery, smoking to keep weight low, low self-esteem, personal problems, eating disorders, a “mean girls” culture, unsafe cosmetic ingredients, and the consequences of appearance-based job discrimination.

I’m of the belief that all the starvation and plastic surgery in the world can’t fix what is really hurting women inside their cores, and probably does more harm than (short-term) good.

If you are a parent to a girl, it’s especially important we 1) set healthy examples of body image; and 2) talk to them about the unrealistic and harmful cultural messages they will receive during their lives.

Here’s the press release.  The film’s website can be found here.

There’s a new support group for new mothers in town.  Whether you are coasting along just perfectly in your new role as a parent and just hoping to meet other moms or you are struggling with issues such as sleep, postpartum mood, and breastfeeding, you will benefit from this group

Jessica Burden, who will be facilitating, is a postpartum doula…actually, she’s the ONLY postpartum doula in the Tri-Cities.  Hiring a postpartum doula is an extremely popular service in the Seattle area and elsewhere.  Postpartum doulas help with the transition when a new baby is added to the family.  She’s an expert on baby behavior, breast/bottle feeding, sleep, postpartum depression, etc. and is a very inclusive sort of person who will help you achieve your parenting goals no matter what they may be.  She also happens to be a baby nanny during her “day job”.

As a birth doula/childbirth educator, I usually have to be focused on childbirth concepts with my clients and hit the broad strokes with postpartum issues as my time is limited and that’s what’s on people’s minds.  However if you are already a parent you all know that there is so much to learn about babies and parenting!  With doula clients I’ve been able to pull Jessica out of my back pocket and refer her and I’m so glad I have each time.  My clients (and I) think she’s fabulous.

The postpartum support group will be free and will be held in September on the following dates:

Wednesday evening, September 3, 6-8pm
Friday morning, September 12, 10am-noon
Wednesday evening, September 17, 6-8pm
Friday morning, September 26, 10-12pm

The group will begin by meeting in her home and depending on interest and growth may move to a larger venue in the future.

If you are interested in the group, or in her services as a postpartum doula, please see Jessica’s website at www.dabblefly.com.