In an early Christmas present, the PA Department of Health has released birth data for 2008, including cesarean statistics by hospital.
The cesarean rate in PA in 2008 rose just under 3% over 2007, going from 30.05% to 30.86%. Most likely this will still keep us under the national average…but just barely. The VBAC rate dropped from 13.8% to 13.3%.
Looking more local to the Lehigh Valley, some of the results are very sobering. Overall, the combined data for the 5 hospitals in the Lehigh Valley with maternity units saw their cesarean rate Continue Reading…
Posted 8 months, 3 weeks ago at 12:43 am. 5 comments
As you may know, I’m involved on the leadership of EmPoWeReD Birth, an advocacy group for birth in Eastern PA. In that capacity, I am writing this note, and ask you to share it.
As you may have seen recently, Lehigh Valley area hospitals, along with many hospitals across the country, have made the decision to ban all children under the age of 18 from the hospital as “visitors.” This is a “temporary” ban for flu season, but as you probably know, the flu season extends until April or May, so we are looking at a ban that could easily last 6-7 months.
To be sure, we think it is a wise practice at ANY time for anyone who is exhibiting signs of the flu to avoid visiting a hospital as a visitor.
However, the EmPoWeReD Birth leadership is concerned about this ban Continue Reading…
Posted 10 months, 2 weeks ago at 10:41 am. Add a comment
Before the Rally
I’d like to thank all of the folks who gave of their precious Saturday morning to come out to the rally today! If the Lehigh Valley Hospital security car showing up around noon was any indication, we did draw a bit of attention. 
Continue Reading…
Posted 1 year, 3 months ago at 2:57 pm. Add a comment
I just learned today that The Midwives and Associates are no longer going to be allowed to attend VBAC’s at Lehigh Valley Hospital.
There has not been a negative outcome with VBAC’s that they have attended…it’s just a decision that was made by “folks higher up.” I have to wonder if this decision is just related to The Midwives, or if all VBAC’s are being forbidden at this hospital?
Either way, why am I not surprised?
I believe there may be one midwife attending VBAC out of St. Luke’s Bethlehem, but her offices are located in Stroudsburg, so many women find her to be geographically inaccessible. She’s also not an option for women who have “Valley Preferred” insurance, which ONLY allows women to birth out of Lehigh Valley Hospital.
There are a few OB’s who attend VBAC at area hospitals, but for the woman who desires the midwifery model of care, it appears that the only option for her now is homebirth.
UPDATE on Friday, May 7: I learned yesterday that saddly the midwives have lost ALL birthing priviledges at Lehigh Valley Hospital. As women, we can not sit back and allow this to happen without a fight. Please contact The Morning Call with your thoughts about this situation. I will keep you updated on what you can do. Thank you!
Posted 1 year, 4 months ago at 11:16 pm. Add a comment
