A Family-Centered Cesarean Birth Story

This is the family-centered cesarean birth story of my twin grandchildren. Because of good prenatal education; a well-chosen, dedicated care provider; and parents with focus, I am able to share a beautiful birth story. I hope relating this story encourages other childbirth educators to present various options for cesarean in their classes, thereby educating the public about this beautiful opportunity if a cesarean birth is necessary.     

Healthy Birth Practice #3: Bring a Loved One,Friend, or Doula for Continuous Support

All women should be allowed and encouraged to bring a loved one, friend, or doula to their birth without financial or cultural barriers. Continuous labor support offers benefits to mothers and their babies with no known harm. This article is an updated evidence-based review of the “Lamaze International Care Practices that Promote Normal Birth, Care Practice #3: Continuous Labor Support,” published in The Journal of Perinatal Education, 16(3), 2007.     

The Birth of Miles Henry DeVries

In this birth story, a second-time mother relates her experience of birthing her son at home after her daughter was born via cesarean surgery. Support from the International Cesarean Awareness Network, as well as a home birth midwife specializing in vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC), made the dream of a vaginal birth a reality for this mom. This story highlights the importance of having a supportive care provider and laboring in a safe and comfortable environment when pursuing a VBAC.     

Research Summaries for Normal Birth

In this column, the author summarizes research studies relevant to normal birth. The studies summarized include a large trial evaluating the effect of prior vaginal births after a cesarean on outcomes in subsequent births; a study linking umbilical cord blood pH with intellectual outcomes in childhood; and a prospective trial evaluating the effect of routine antenatal nonstress testing on maternal anxiety. The author also highlights four articles about normal birth in a recent nursing journal series dedicated to the topic.     

The Perspectives of Women and Their Health-Care Providers Regarding Using an ECA to Support Mode of Birth Decisions

This study used focus groups to assess the feasibility and acceptability of adapting an Embodied Conversational Agent (ECA) to support decision-making about mode of birth after previous cesarean. Twelve women with previous cesareans, and eight prenatal providers at an academic, tertiary-care medical center, viewed a prototype ECA and were asked to share feedback on the potential role in helping women prepare for decision-making. Both groups felt that although it was somewhat “robot-like,” the ECA could provide easy access to information for patients and could augment the visit with providers. Future work is needed to improve ECA visual appeal and clarify the role and timing for utilization of decision aids using ECA technology to enhance the shared decision-making process.     

Social Media, Power, and the Future of VBAC

The Internet has been called a disruptive technology because it has shifted power and altered the economics of doing business, whether that business is selling books or providing health care. Social media have accelerated the pace of disruption by enabling interactive information sharing and blurring the lines between the "producers" and "consumers" of knowledge, goods, and services. In the wake of the National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference on Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC) and major national recommendations for maternity care reform, activated, engaged consumers face an unprecedented opportunity to drive meaningful changes in VBAC access and safety. This article examines the role of social networks in informing women about VBAC, producing low-cost, accessible decision aids, and enabling multi-stakeholder collaborations toward workable solutions that remove barriers women face in accessing VBAC.     

汉末魏晋挽歌及其流变论--兼谈挽歌的产生

尽管挽歌产生的确切时间和原因今天已很难说清,但到汉末魏晋时,葬礼中使用挽歌以助哀已成惯例,却是不争的事实.汉末魏晋人除了在葬礼中使用挽歌外,他们还喜欢在"宾婚嘉会"之际或日常生活中于酒酣之后吟唱挽歌,但已明显不以助哀为目的,相反,崇尚"以悲为乐"的审美时尚,表达身处乱世的人们对于生命危浅的惶惑和忧惧,追求行为的放诞和风流,则成为汉末魏晋人喜欢在非葬礼场合于酒酣之后吟唱挽歌的原因和目的.汉末魏晋人喜欢在非葬礼场合于酒酣之后吟唱挽歌,这实际上是以助哀实用为目的的葬礼挽歌在本时期产生的"变调"亦或说流变.     

论生育权的法律保障、限制与宽容——兼论独身女性生育权

我们应该正确认识和对待我国《人口与计划生育法》等对于生育权的保障、限制、宽容的原则精神 ,因为正确把握这一原则精神 ,对于实行计划生育工作和对外政策宣传都具有重要意义