[ozmidwifery] Reflux
Just found this article whilst surfing the net. I feel anecdotally that both reflux and colic are overdiagnosed. I am a midwife but not a MCH nurse. If it is so common maybe it IS a normal variation..what do you think about it? It just seems to me that some people aren't happy until they have a label and a medicine to treat it with when they have an unsettled baby. Maybe I am being too simplistic about this subject. Interested in the thoughts of some of our online listers. Helen http://www.bubhub.com.au/newsletterdec0601.shtml Reflux is so common it is almost seen as 'normal', or even trivial, and most people just don't understand how difficult life can be for many families, or understand the impact reflux can have on their lives! They may think of it erroneously as 'just a bit of vomiting', or 'just a behavioural issue'. They don't see how it impacts on the child's eating, sleeping, growth, behaviour or quality of life; or on the family's quality of life, relationships between partners, siblings or other children; finances; and even leisure time. The truth is, only families who have experienced it for themselves really understand. Many families: a.. Have difficulty getting people to believe just how bad the vomiting and/or the screaming really are b.. receive conflicting and confusing advice c.. become socially isolated d.. feel like failures as parents e.. have family and friends who just didn't understand Even when a baby is suffering from relatively uncomplicated reflux, families often need reassurance, and enjoy talking to someone who understands. For the families whose infants suffer complications, it is even more important that they can talk to other parents, and have the support, reassurance and understanding they need to get through this stressful experience
[ozmidwifery] Mumsnet threats by Gina Ford's lawyers
I thought this was interesting given threads last year by Kelly about similar complaints on BellyBelly. These lawyers obviously mean business. Scary stuff and a worry for free speech. I wonder what the outcome was as this happened mid last year. Helen http://www.mumsnet.com/ Mumsnet and Gina Ford It is with great regret that we have to ask members to refrain from any further discussion of Gina Ford, her methods or her books on the site. Explanation http://www.mumsnet.com/lw/state.html Recent statements http://www.mumsnet.com/ginaford/state08082006.html Press coverage http://www.mumsnet.com/PressCoverage.html
Re: [ozmidwifery] Reflux
Helen - I tend to agree - I see many babies who have been 'diagnosed'with reflux - I heard a paed speak ( sorry cant remember his name) who said it was more to do with anxiety/ lack of attunement than a 'stomach' condition -I wouldnt blame parents though as anyone with an unsettled baby would be anxious/ vicious cycle. I have though seen babies settle miraculously' after a little work with parents - teaching baby massage is a very non-intrusive/ non blaming way to help parents become confident at attuning with baby non-verbal cues and thus responding appropriately; also if they do a few tangible things like positioning babies - ie head elevated - I show a lovely position with a pillow between parents bent legs( feet together, knees open, with pillow resting on parents feet), baby facing parent, so baby and parent make good eye contact - babies seem to stop grizzling straight away - and colic holds ; 'colic' massage -I too am a bit sceptical about all the 'wind' that seems to be around; plus a few changes to mums diet ( wonder if some of this is allergies/ food sensitivity - mums tend to fill up on chocolate when they feel stressed with unsettled bubs) and within days babies are much better. perhaps having a label takes away the blame aspect that parents are doing something wrong - I also see babies for whom meds make no difference - eg one this week diagnosed with 'reflux' -I suggested a really good paediatric chiro locally - bub had been breech ( vag birth) and turned out he had a shoulder dislocated - mum also eating loads of dairy. Bub was much calmer after his shoulder was fixed, relaxed and took a full massage that afternoon - the previous session he cried so much he couldnt be massaged at all. I wonder if the 'overdiagnosis' of reflux is a treatment of symptoms not a look at what could be causing the crying and /or vomiting. Pinky - Original Message - From: Helen and Graham To: ozmidwifery Sent: Saturday, February 03, 2007 9:22 AM Subject: [ozmidwifery] Reflux Just found this article whilst surfing the net. I feel anecdotally that both reflux and colic are overdiagnosed. I am a midwife but not a MCH nurse. If it is so common maybe it IS a normal variation..what do you think about it? It just seems to me that some people aren't happy until they have a label and a medicine to treat it with when they have an unsettled baby. Maybe I am being too simplistic about this subject. Interested in the thoughts of some of our online listers. Helen http://www.bubhub.com.au/newsletterdec0601.shtml Reflux is so common it is almost seen as 'normal', or even trivial, and most people just don't understand how difficult life can be for many families, or understand the impact reflux can have on their lives! They may think of it erroneously as 'just a bit of vomiting', or 'just a behavioural issue'. They don't see how it impacts on the child's eating, sleeping, growth, behaviour or quality of life; or on the family's quality of life, relationships between partners, siblings or other children; finances; and even leisure time. The truth is, only families who have experienced it for themselves really understand. Many families: a.. Have difficulty getting people to believe just how bad the vomiting and/or the screaming really are b.. receive conflicting and confusing advice c.. become socially isolated d.. feel like failures as parents e.. have family and friends who just didn't understand Even when a baby is suffering from relatively uncomplicated reflux, families often need reassurance, and enjoy talking to someone who understands. For the families whose infants suffer complications, it is even more important that they can talk to other parents, and have the support, reassurance and understanding they need to get through this stressful experience
[ozmidwifery] Article about natural birth and brain haemorrhage
Haven't they got anything better to research??!! Helen http://www.guardian.co.uk/medicine/story/0,,2001561,00.html One in four natural births causes brain haemorrhage Ian Sample Tuesday January 30, 2007 The Guardian Giving birth naturally increases the risk of minor brain haemorrhages in newborn babies, according to a study. Brain scans of babies aged between one and five weeks showed small ruptures in blood vessels in or around the brain are common, affecting one in four children born naturally. Babies delivered by caesarean section showed no signs of even minor bleeding. In most cases, the haemorrhages are harmless and heal naturally, but larger ruptures can affect brain development, leading to seizures, or problems with learning or coordination. Doctors at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to scan 88 healthy newborns. Of the 65 delivered naturally, 17 had intracranial haemorrhages and seven had ruptures in at least two separate regions. John Gilmore, a professor of psychiatry and lead scientist on the study, said the bleeding was not caused by the size of the baby or the baby's head, the duration of labour, or the use of vacuum or forceps to assist delivery. The bleeds are probably caused by pressure on the skull during delivery, he said. The scientists noticed the high rate of haemorrhages while conducting scans to assess brain development in children perceived to be at high risk of mental disorders. What we've shown is that if you get these bleeds, you don't have to think something has gone wrong with the delivery, because these are common, said Prof Gilmore, whose study is published in Radiology. The team will conduct further scans when the babies are one and two years old. This may help doctors assess future cases of shaken baby syndrome, where injuries to a baby are contested. In some cases, parents or guardians claim brain injuries have been inflicted naturally at birth. The scans may reveal whether small haemorrhages at birth grow to become more threatening, or gradually heal with time. Special reports Medicine and health Useful links British Medical Association Department of Health General Medical Council Health on the Net Foundation Institute of Cancer Research Medical Research Council NHS Direct Royal Institute of Public Health World Health Organisation
[ozmidwifery] newcastle conference Friday Feb9th Sat Feb 10th
Dear All, Places are filling fast for this innovative and informative gig. There are several international speakers of reknown... Do you know we have the worlds No 1 expert on CTG's here Prof. Sarbaratnam Arulkumaran, who is Prof of OG St Georges Hospital, London. Plus our own Prof, Maralyn Foureur, talking about the psycho-social effect of EFM. You will remember Maralyn ran the first RCT on one to one midwifery care as opposed to usual care, in Australia. Come be inspired, educated and challenged. Ring Dee on: (02) 49214727 see you there! Love catherine whelan _ Advertisement: Fresh jobs daily. Stop waiting for the newspaper. Search Now! www.seek.com.au http://a.ninemsn.com.au/b.aspx?URL=http%3A%2F%2Fninemsn%2Eseek%2Ecom%2Eau_t=757263760_r=Hotmail_EndText_Dec06_m=EXT -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
Re: [ozmidwifery] Reflux
I don't know about over-diagnosis- my second baby (now 17) had reflux and it made her first six months the worst of my life. I'd had a perfectly normal time with my first baby, he was unsettled like most and woke at night until over 12 months but I considered that that was normal and looked forward to my second child with pleasure and anticipation. It was a nightmare- not hte birth, that was fine, but from about 3 weeks of age she screamed constantly, vomitted even while attached to the breast, never slept for more than 10 minutes at a time day or night- no one understood how terrible it was, she was obviously in pain, poor mite; my toddler was seriously shortchanged because how can you leave a child who is shrieking with pain to go and play with the other one. Just things like the carpet (whole house was carpeted, even the kitchen) being simply filthy from her constant vomiting, which was not projectile but which managed to defeat the towels etc I had strategically placed. The crying got me down dreadfully, this was nothing like I'd experienced with my first child. There was just no way to soothe her. I still have a colour chart I filled out at that time, showing her behaviour in ten minute slots over a week to show the baby health sister- red for unsettled, blue for feeding, green for sleeping etc. That sounds excessive but truly, I felt I needed evidence for people to believe me; they said things like, Oh yes it's difficult with two, in a patronising way as if it was just me not coping with an unsettled baby when I knew it was more than that. We tried all the normal things, positioning, Early childhood centre, paediatrician, medication, nothing worked. Although she was fully breastfed she had the most atrocious constipation, stools like pieces of chalk that had to be drawn out when half expelled because she couldn't get it out. Finally I went to a homeopathic dr and whatever he gave her (smelt like pure alcohol but I was desperate enough to try anything!) fixed the pain overnight. She still vomitted and still was very wakeful but without the constant crying and pain behaviour it was so much easier to cope with. I'd been told it would probably get better when she was standing up and it did, over about a week all the vomitting etc stopped and life became about a thousand times easier. So I think that 'reflux' is very different from 'unsettled baby' but after what I went through I'd be inclined to give any mother who said her baby had reflux the benefit of the doubt, and the offer of a little help. Monica - Original Message - From: Helen and Graham To: ozmidwifery Sent: Saturday, February 03, 2007 9:22 AM Subject: [ozmidwifery] Reflux Just found this article whilst surfing the net. I feel anecdotally that both reflux and colic are overdiagnosed. I am a midwife but not a MCH nurse. If it is so common maybe it IS a normal variation..what do you think about it? It just seems to me that some people aren't happy until they have a label and a medicine to treat it with when they have an unsettled baby. Maybe I am being too simplistic about this subject. Interested in the thoughts of some of our online listers. Helen http://www.bubhub.com.au/newsletterdec0601.shtml Reflux is so common it is almost seen as 'normal', or even trivial, and most people just don't understand how difficult life can be for many families, or understand the impact reflux can have on their lives! They may think of it erroneously as 'just a bit of vomiting', or 'just a behavioural issue'. They don't see how it impacts on the child's eating, sleeping, growth, behaviour or quality of life; or on the family's quality of life, relationships between partners, siblings or other children; finances; and even leisure time. The truth is, only families who have experienced it for themselves really understand. Many families: a.. Have difficulty getting people to believe just how bad the vomiting and/or the screaming really are b.. receive conflicting and confusing advice c.. become socially isolated d.. feel like failures as parents e.. have family and friends who just didn't understand Even when a baby is suffering from relatively uncomplicated reflux, families often need reassurance, and enjoy talking to someone who understands. For the families whose infants suffer complications, it is even more important that they can talk to other parents, and have the support, reassurance and understanding they need to get through this stressful experience
RE: [ozmidwifery] Article about natural birth and brain haemorrhage
My GOODNESS!!! All in the name of research...I definitely wouldn't be letting my newborn have a MRI scan! I wonder if the parents were paid (and if so..how much) to allow their newborn to take part? Interesting to see if there is an increase in cancers for this research group in years to come. Belinda _ From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Helen and Graham Sent: Saturday, 3 February 2007 9:49 AM To: ozmidwifery Subject: [ozmidwifery] Article about natural birth and brain haemorrhage Haven't they got anything better to research??!! Helen http://www.guardian.co.uk/medicine/story/0,,2001561,00.html http://www.guardian.co.uk/medicine/story/0,,2001561,00.html One in four natural births causes brain haemorrhage Ian Sample Tuesday January 30, 2007 http://www.guardian.co.uk/ The Guardian Giving birth naturally increases the risk of minor brain haemorrhages in newborn babies, according to a study. Brain scans of babies aged between one and five weeks showed small ruptures in blood vessels in or around the brain are common, affecting one in four children born naturally. Babies delivered by caesarean section showed no signs of even minor bleeding. In most cases, the haemorrhages are harmless and heal naturally, but larger ruptures can affect brain development, leading to seizures, or problems with learning or coordination. Doctors at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to scan 88 healthy newborns. Of the 65 delivered naturally, 17 had intracranial haemorrhages and seven had ruptures in at least two separate regions. John Gilmore, a professor of psychiatry and lead scientist on the study, said the bleeding was not caused by the size of the baby or the baby's head, the duration of labour, or the use of vacuum or forceps to assist delivery. The bleeds are probably caused by pressure on the skull during delivery, he said. The scientists noticed the high rate of haemorrhages while conducting scans to assess brain development in children perceived to be at high risk of mental disorders. What we've shown is that if you get these bleeds, you don't have to think something has gone wrong with the delivery, because these are common, said Prof Gilmore, whose study is published in Radiology. The team will conduct further scans when the babies are one and two years old. This may help doctors assess future cases of shaken baby syndrome, where injuries to a baby are contested. In some cases, parents or guardians claim brain injuries have been inflicted naturally at birth. The scans may reveal whether small haemorrhages at birth grow to become more threatening, or gradually heal with time. Special reports http://www.guardian.co.uk/medicine/0,,618095,00.html Medicine and health Useful links http://www.bma.org.uk/ British Medical Association http://www.doh.gov.uk/ Department of Health http://www.gmc-uk.org/ General Medical Council http://www.hon.ch/ Health on the Net Foundation http://www.icr.ac.uk/ Institute of Cancer Research http://www.mrc.ac.uk/ Medical Research Council http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/index.asp NHS Direct http://www.riph.org.uk/ Royal Institute of Public Health http://www.who.int/ World Health Organisation
Re: [ozmidwifery] Reflux
Pinky, Firstly, let me say Pinky, that I have the greatest respect for you and your beliefs, but let me admit straight up that I am very sceptical of chiropracters, particularly those who are happy to manipulate babies. So I must ask, did this baby have any symptoms of a dislocated shoulder? Was it favouring the other arm or not moving it at all? Was it lengthened, disproportionate to the body or other arm, or was there an abnormality in the appearance of the shoulder. I have never seen a baby with a dislocated shoulder, broken clavicle and erbs palsy yes, but no dislocation. I have seen adults with dislocations and they are rather easy to spot and can be fun to replace! I would have been surprised that a breech birth would be associated with a dislocated shoulder. There is a correlation between breech birth and congenital dislocation of the hip, particularly in girls. I am unsure how the mechanisms of breech birth (Hands off the breech) would cause such an injury. Perhaps you can offer me some insight into this case? Thankfully, Megan - Original Message - From: Pinky McKay To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Saturday, February 03, 2007 10:35 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Reflux Helen - I tend to agree - I see many babies who have been 'diagnosed'with reflux - I heard a paed speak ( sorry cant remember his name) who said it was more to do with anxiety/ lack of attunement than a 'stomach' condition -I wouldnt blame parents though as anyone with an unsettled baby would be anxious/ vicious cycle. I have though seen babies settle miraculously' after a little work with parents - teaching baby massage is a very non-intrusive/ non blaming way to help parents become confident at attuning with baby non-verbal cues and thus responding appropriately; also if they do a few tangible things like positioning babies - ie head elevated - I show a lovely position with a pillow between parents bent legs( feet together, knees open, with pillow resting on parents feet), baby facing parent, so baby and parent make good eye contact - babies seem to stop grizzling straight away - and colic holds ; 'colic' massage -I too am a bit sceptical about all the 'wind' that seems to be around; plus a few changes to mums diet ( wonder if some of this is allergies/ food sensitivity - mums tend to fill up on chocolate when they feel stressed with unsettled bubs) and within days babies are much better. perhaps having a label takes away the blame aspect that parents are doing something wrong - I also see babies for whom meds make no difference - eg one this week diagnosed with 'reflux' -I suggested a really good paediatric chiro locally - bub had been breech ( vag birth) and turned out he had a shoulder dislocated - mum also eating loads of dairy. Bub was much calmer after his shoulder was fixed, relaxed and took a full massage that afternoon - the previous session he cried so much he couldnt be massaged at all. I wonder if the 'overdiagnosis' of reflux is a treatment of symptoms not a look at what could be causing the crying and /or vomiting. Pinky - Original Message - From: Helen and Graham To: ozmidwifery Sent: Saturday, February 03, 2007 9:22 AM Subject: [ozmidwifery] Reflux Just found this article whilst surfing the net. I feel anecdotally that both reflux and colic are overdiagnosed. I am a midwife but not a MCH nurse. If it is so common maybe it IS a normal variation..what do you think about it? It just seems to me that some people aren't happy until they have a label and a medicine to treat it with when they have an unsettled baby. Maybe I am being too simplistic about this subject. Interested in the thoughts of some of our online listers. Helen http://www.bubhub.com.au/newsletterdec0601.shtml Reflux is so common it is almost seen as 'normal', or even trivial, and most people just don't understand how difficult life can be for many families, or understand the impact reflux can have on their lives! They may think of it erroneously as 'just a bit of vomiting', or 'just a behavioural issue'. They don't see how it impacts on the child's eating, sleeping, growth, behaviour or quality of life; or on the family's quality of life, relationships between partners, siblings or other children; finances; and even leisure time. The truth is, only families who have experienced it for themselves really understand. Many families: a.. Have difficulty getting people to believe just how bad the vomiting and/or the screaming really are b.. receive conflicting and confusing advice c.. become socially isolated d.. feel like failures as parents e.. have family and friends who just didn't understand Even when a baby is suffering from relatively uncomplicated reflux, families often need reassurance, and
Re: [ozmidwifery] Article about natural birth and brain haemorrhage
I find this part contradictory John Gilmore, a professor of psychiatry and lead scientist on the study, said the bleeding was not caused by the size of the baby or the baby's head, the duration of labour, or the use of vacuum or forceps to assist delivery. The bleeds are probably caused by pressure on the skull during delivery, he said. It suggests poor parameters of what defines natural birth and DENIAL of the pressure on the skull during a vacuum or forceps birth which have an adult exerting a pull of varying strength on the foetal skull through to the spine ?? Denise Hynd Let us support one another, not just in philosophy but in action, for the sake of freedom for all women to choose exactly how and by whom, if by anyone, our bodies will be handled. - Linda Hes - Original Message - From: Belinda Pound To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Saturday, February 03, 2007 11:26 AM Subject: RE: [ozmidwifery] Article about natural birth and brain haemorrhage My GOODNESS!!! All in the name of research...I definitely wouldn't be letting my newborn have a MRI scan! I wonder if the parents were paid (and if so..how much) to allow their newborn to take part? Interesting to see if there is an increase in cancers for this research group in years to come. Belinda -- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Helen and Graham Sent: Saturday, 3 February 2007 9:49 AM To: ozmidwifery Subject: [ozmidwifery] Article about natural birth and brain haemorrhage Haven't they got anything better to research??!! Helen http://www.guardian.co.uk/medicine/story/0,,2001561,00.html One in four natural births causes brain haemorrhage Ian Sample Tuesday January 30, 2007 The Guardian Giving birth naturally increases the risk of minor brain haemorrhages in newborn babies, according to a study. Brain scans of babies aged between one and five weeks showed small ruptures in blood vessels in or around the brain are common, affecting one in four children born naturally. Babies delivered by caesarean section showed no signs of even minor bleeding. In most cases, the haemorrhages are harmless and heal naturally, but larger ruptures can affect brain development, leading to seizures, or problems with learning or coordination. Doctors at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to scan 88 healthy newborns. Of the 65 delivered naturally, 17 had intracranial haemorrhages and seven had ruptures in at least two separate regions. John Gilmore, a professor of psychiatry and lead scientist on the study, said the bleeding was not caused by the size of the baby or the baby's head, the duration of labour, or the use of vacuum or forceps to assist delivery. The bleeds are probably caused by pressure on the skull during delivery, he said. The scientists noticed the high rate of haemorrhages while conducting scans to assess brain development in children perceived to be at high risk of mental disorders. What we've shown is that if you get these bleeds, you don't have to think something has gone wrong with the delivery, because these are common, said Prof Gilmore, whose study is published in Radiology. The team will conduct further scans when the babies are one and two years old. This may help doctors assess future cases of shaken baby syndrome, where injuries to a baby are contested. In some cases, parents or guardians claim brain injuries have been inflicted naturally at birth. The scans may reveal whether small haemorrhages at birth grow to become more threatening, or gradually heal with time. Special reports Medicine and health Useful links British Medical Association Department of Health General Medical Council Health on the Net Foundation Institute of Cancer Research Medical Research Council NHS Direct Royal Institute of Public Health World Health Organisation -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.411 / Virus Database: 268.17.21/665 - Release Date: 2/02/2007
[ozmidwifery] RE: reflux
Not wishing to simplify this discussion but I found this somewhere, years ago and it took my fancy, (don't know if it is a genuine quote, but if it is..) it suggests that colic and its associated parental concerns have been with us for a very long time! ..Peine in the belly is a common disease of children The childe cannot rest but cryeth and fretteth itself Moreover the noyse and rumbling in the guttes, hither and thider, declareth the childe to be greved, with wynde in the belly, and colyke... Thomas Phaire's Boke of Chyldren, 1545 Cheers Alesa
Re: [ozmidwifery] Article about natural birth and brain haemorrhage
Pardon my scepticism but what exactly did this research prove? With so many variables I am surprised that any conclusions could be drawn! Alesa Haven't they got anything better to research??!! Helen http://www.guardian.co.uk/medicine/story/0,,2001561,00.html One in four natural births causes brain haemorrhage Ian Sample Tuesday January 30, 2007 The Guardian Giving birth naturally increases the risk of minor brain haemorrhages in newborn babies, according to a study. Brain scans of babies aged between one and five weeks showed small ruptures in blood vessels in or around the brain are common, affecting one in four children born naturally. Babies delivered by caesarean section showed no signs of even minor bleeding. In most cases, the haemorrhages are harmless and heal naturally, but larger ruptures can affect brain development, leading to seizures, or problems with learning or coordination. Doctors at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to scan 88 healthy newborns. Of the 65 delivered naturally, 17 had intracranial haemorrhages and seven had ruptures in at least two separate regions. John Gilmore, a professor of psychiatry and lead scientist on the study, said the bleeding was not caused by the size of the baby or the baby's head, the duration of labour, or the use of vacuum or forceps to assist delivery. The bleeds are probably caused by pressure on the skull during delivery, he said. The scientists noticed the high rate of haemorrhages while conducting scans to assess brain development in children perceived to be at high risk of mental disorders. What we've shown is that if you get these bleeds, you don't have to think something has gone wrong with the delivery, because these are common, said Prof Gilmore, whose study is published in Radiology. The team will conduct further scans when the babies are one and two years old. This may help doctors assess future cases of shaken baby syndrome, where injuries to a baby are contested. In some cases, parents or guardians claim brain injuries have been inflicted naturally at birth. The scans may reveal whether small haemorrhages at birth grow to become more threatening, or gradually heal with time. Special reports Medicine and health Useful links British Medical Association Department of Health General Medical Council Health on the Net Foundation Institute of Cancer Research Medical Research Council NHS Direct Royal Institute of Public Health World Health Organisation
