Induction with Castor Oil

I saw a post somewhere discussing the scientific validity of using Castor oil to begin labor. I tire of this stupid war between midwives and doctors, unrecognized as just another a battle between women and men and women's rights and needs to be independent, autonomous, and respected. A debate over which is more scientific -- drugs or an ancient old remedy, Castor Oil? One of the things that is tragic about obstetrics AND midwifery is the lack of regard for the physiology of labor from the baby's perspective. How about a discussion about INDUCTION? Period.

No one seems to want to have that discussion. WHAT is the BABY's EXPERIENCE of what OTHERS decide and DO during his or her birth? How does induction by any means impact the baby, and his or relationship with the mother who clearly had her own needs and agenda and pushed the baby before she or he was ready? When the baby is induced by Castor Oil or drugs ... for any reason ... a caring, logical human being should not need scientific studies to tell us it interrupts the baby and should be as a last resort and with AWARENESS and COMMUNICATION. Logic and science also guide to do whatever we do in a way that recognizes that this human baby is a FEELING, SENSING human ... more so than we'll ever be ... and that the development from conception beyond never stops. The human being NEVER stops being in RESPONSE to the environment from the moment of conception.

We must consider that the use of Castor oil and any other natural remedies are still induction. Induction is a disruption for the baby. This is imprinted on the brain that is experiencing labor and birth, a developing. The baby hormonally begins the process of labor and signals to mother’s body, so, of course, induction by any means is a physiological disruption.

Induction, by any means, also creates psychological, emotional, and spiritually dynamics … in the human's relationship to the world and to/with the parents, EVEN when done for medically necessary reasons. When done for medical, life saving reasons or NON medical reasons, it doesn't matter. It still disrupts the baby. Done for just for convenience sake of mother or caretakers, or mother is tired of pregnancy, whatever the reason, the experience of baby's own biologically program need to begin labor is disrupted ... the consequence, the trauma, the damage is done for no good reason. Humans are masters at justifying and denial .... so women continue to induce whether it be medical or natural. Perhaps, natural would be less damaging than drugs. That's for another day. Today, my rant is about the BIRTHING BABY.

Birth IS the BABY'S experience of birthing into this world. The baby's birth is not the mother's or the doctor's. It is the mother's experience of birthing her baby and she, of course, will have to live with the consequences of the circumstances; however, it is the baby who will literally have to live with the consequences of other's choices. The baby's need to begin labor is physiological; it's part of the greater plan of physiology and biology that the Being/Fetus/Person initiate his or her own labor ... when physiology says it's time. This is true of all mammals. I saw Baby Story today where two zoologists had twins ... by cesarean. That's how far we've come. People who know how nature works also disrupt birth.

We humans are not now excluded after eons of doing so, just because a group of people who claim dominion over "science" say it is ok to do so. We can not do so without very really consequences to humanity.

The conglomerate, collective impact of the myriad of disruptions and violations of a baby during labor and birth can be seen in the behaviors, illnesses, and dysfunctions and "issues" in education, law enforcement, addiction, and violence. Every family and community will experience the long-term consequences of disrupting birth.

WHATEVER the baby experiences during labor and birth and in the hospital, it is imprinted in the brain; the part of the brain that is non-verbal and from whence all other development will occur. The experience results in physiological, psychological, emotional, and spiritual reactions; a complicated and real collective response that is IMPRINTED in the brain. Experience and interaction with the environment is how the human being develops from the moment of conception, whether IN the womb, leaving the womb, or living physiologically independent of the womb.

Once we begin to see the human baby as an amazing, reacting, responding organism that just happens to also be a soul in a new body (take that any way you wish ... new for the first and only time or new for another time), we can see that induction or not and how we treat the mother and baby as we do so, is just the beginning of our journey towards creating aware, compassionate, gentle, safe environment and experience for the baby. What is the safest, calmest way to support them to birth, regardless of the medical need, while maintaining their connection and relationship in the process ought to be the guiding rule.

Holidays, New Fathers, and Candidates

It's been weeks since I posted. I was moving in the weeks before Christmas and I have been traveling for the holidays. So busy ... as I prepare to head west to California and Hawaii.

I got a great Christmas present from my son and daughter-in-law ... the news that they are expecting a baby. Yesterday I got an email from my son ... with pictures ... he has traded her Mazda for a "baby mobile" (a BMW wagon.) I emailed back that he is "par for the course." It is so fun to watch a newly pregnant couple. HE fast forwards through all of the possible financial concerns and prepares by getting that safe, family vehicle in the first trimester. SHE is aglow with the energy, hormones, and sweet knowing that she is doing something extraordinary ... building a human baby. What a blessing for a woman when she is in an environment where she is loved, protected, nourished, and nurtured by her partner ... for that is all she needs during this time. The more worry-free she is and the more her body, mind, and soul can focus on the baby, the more happy, healthy, and harmonious her life and she will be ... and baby will be. More about that later ....

On the way home, I stopped in Iowa to visit my aunt and my brothers. I had the opportunity to go to hear John Edwards and Obama speak - two blocks from my brother's house. I sat in the front row of the Edwards event and was close enough to see the wrinkles in his pants. He shook hands with us in the front row. I also got to ask him a question about his plan for creating support for the men and women serving in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Later, as he left, he signed my Edwards sign. I got all of it on video, but actually we were so close that it was hard to get the best shots. My daughter made good use of her Christmas gift, a new camera though. Here Edwards is in front of us speaking ... and then signing my sign. That's MY head and glasses. Really! In the photo here of Senator Edwards and my head, he is telling me thank you for my son's service and wishing him a safe return. Not in this shot, but during the exchange he made good, solid eye contact. That was important to me as he voted for the war.

You can tell by the pictures here who I support. Edwards is the only candidate in the running who is talking about not only ending THIS war, but getting rid of nuclear weapons ... I mean power. And, he is for taking back America from the corporations. Ah-hem, that would include OBSTETRIC MEDICINE some day. My niece and I waited until we got home to jump up and down together like girly-girls at a New Kid's concert. Oops, I just aged us, didn't I?

The next day we went to Obama's speech ... on the stage at my old high school and where I did my tap dance recital at age six and played the xylophone in "Sound of Music" in high school, and lots in between. What fun.

Obama had increased security because of threats so no one got to be up close with him. I was really glad to hear him speak and hear his story. I was, like he was, a communityy organizer and in mediation and conflict resolution at the community and state level. I was inspired to hear the community organizing concepts being entwined into national politics. I was inspired by the number of young people at his meeting as I have long been concerned about the lack of young folks at the voting booth. This world always belongs to the young adult generation and I am happy to see them rise up to take on this mess that has been left to them. If they elect Obama I can live with that, especially if he has Edwards as a running mate and keeps Richardson at Secretary of State.

I was glad to hear and see them. It makes such a difference. It's too bad that every citizen in every state doesn't have this opportunity. If you do, take advantage of it. Seeing someone in person is important. Our senses can take in what our mind doesn't have time for or allow us to.

I wish we could have a Presidential Team of about seven with a mix of Dems and Republicans. I like Ron Paul. I wish they had to work together and that each of them is able to focus on their gifts that they bring to the committee. Obama would build a good bi-partisan team. More about that later .... it's not exactly related, really, but I can't help myself.