Comments on: Having Babies

By: Amy Bassett

Amy Bassett — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 20:35:02 +0000

I am a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) in Illinois and totally agree with this model. In most European countries, (Sweden, UK, Netherlands) 70% of mothers are attended by CNMs, 30% (mostly high risk mothers) by OB/GYNs. Physicians are trained in school to treat and look for pathology. Most of the time, birth is normal process without pathology. It becomes pathological when we start looking for problems and jump to (sometimes) unnecessary interventions, causing a domino effect. This often leads to more interventions. I believe this is why the Cesarean rate in this country is increasing drastically every year. For more information, watch the recent documentary by Ricki Lake, the Business of Being Born. Women get the best care and have the best outcomes when they are cared for by CNMS in collaboration with physicians.

By: Not Michael Moore

Not Michael Moore — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 17:45:31 +0000

I agree with much of John’s diagnosis, just not his prescribed cure. I’m just not convinced individuals are geared to be be smarter decision makers than the existing payers of health care.

By: Stanley Feld

Stanley Feld — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 18:03:26 +0000

You are really good. Keep slugging.

By: J. Graham

J. Graham — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 18:02:42 +0000

Outstanding!

By: Roger Ream

Roger Ream — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 17:58:07 +0000

Excellent commentary, John. I hope the policy wonks at Kaiser take you up on your suggestions and come to Dallas to learn about well-managed, market-driven health care.

By: Dr. Bob

Dr. Bob — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 17:54:43 +0000

Again, reality rears it’s ugly head…

By: Mashiko

Mashiko — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 12:51:15 +0000

one of the many things that can be done to reduce the bill is on “having babies” is to run a volunteer doula program in each delivery unit. A doula coaches a laboring mom by providing relaxing techniques and labor progressing support (i.e. staying off the bed, walking, squatting, showering etc. ). A laboring mom needs a lot of support and having a woman helping by her side makes a huge dramatic difference. A mom-doula team’s goal is to have a completely natural delivery. Published evidence shows that doulas help reduce the bill. Sutter Hospital in Davis California run a Doula Volunteer Program, I was a former volunteer and can testify first hand what a difference we make, without earning a dime, in helping moms and bringing down the bill by reducing the number of C-sections and other complications. We do it because we care.

By: Roger Beauchamp

Roger Beauchamp — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 21:55:59 +0000

Good piece! Responsible citizens, those who earn their benefit dollars, need to realize they will be better off managing their own health care financing dollars.