the stats are in... and they're not pretty

The National Center for Health Statistics released a new report on January 7. Here are some facts highlighted in a New York Times article:

More babies were born in 2006 than in any year since 1961.

3 percent more Cesarean deliveries in 2006, a record high of 31.1 percent of all births.

Labor was induced in 22.5 percent of births, a slight increase over 2005 and double the rate of 1990.

The percentage of babies born at low weight rose to 8.3 percent, the highest in 40 years

This is ridiculous. Women's bodies were designed to give birth vaginally and in their own time. Although in a small percentage of cases Cesareans are necessary, for the most part they just 'cause unnecessary complications and pain for mama and are an outcome of a hospital system that is untrained to effectively help women give birth. And induction makes labor more painful, often slows down labor and leads to more medical interventions... This stuff makes me angry.

For more information on natural child birth, midwives and analysis of hospital labor/delivery practices here are a few resources:
Spiritual Midwifery -- a book by Ina May Gaskin, a well-known American midwife, with basic information for those interested in become a midwife and tons of "psychedelic" birth stories
The Business of Being Born -- a amazing documentary by Ricky Lake that is an introduction to the injustices of hospital labor/delivery practices and profiles a number of women choosing to give birth at home
Mothering Magazine -- a great magazine focused on natural family living with lots of articles and resources on pregnancy
Baby Catcher: Chronicles of A Modern Midwife -- a book of Peggy Vincent's experiences as a mid-wife in the Bay Area (a great read that helped relax me and Ben before giving birth to Soluna)

I believe that it is of great importance that women find the strength and courage to take control of the birth of their children and their birth as a mother, to not lay idle in this amazing rite of passage. Just this small act can transform our world. It all begins with babies.