The use of drugs during labor is a health risk for women and their babies. In most cases, it is also unnecessary. Despite its dangers, nine out of ten women use pain medication during labor! This two audio cassette tape program provides information and tools that can help you protect your baby. It enlightens by presenting little known facts such as:
-Fact - Pain medications are dangerous for your baby
The American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Drugs considers any drug taken by a pregnant woman risky for her fetus. According to the Food and Drug Administration, the placenta is not a barrier but a "bloody sieve" through which drugs readily pass. Once in the baby, these powerful, painkilling drugs affect the immature brain and developing central nervous system. They can cause the baby to be irritable, sleepy, depressed, slow to suckle and gain weight, and to have breathing difficulties, poor muscle tone, and impaired reflexes.
-Fact - Pain medications may have a lifelong impact on your baby
The effects of these drugs on a newborn can be extensive because the baby must break down the drug and excrete it with immature liver and kidneys. Significant, yet inconclusive research suggests that the children of women who take pain medication during childbirth may suffer long term, even permanent behavioral problems. These problems include diminished ability to see and hear, awkwardness, shortened attention span, impaired reading and language abilities, and hyperactivity.
-Fact - Pain medications may increase the risk of the baby developing a drug addiction and cancer
Recent studies in Sweden show the use of general anesthesia during labor results in a fivefold increase in the probability that the offspring will develop an amphetamine addiction. If you want your child to grow up saying 'no' to drugs, why force them on him or her as a newborn? Other studies have shown an increased risk of childhood cancers for children whose mothers took pain medication during childbirth.
-Fact - Pain medications are dangerous for you
Pain medications can complicate labor. They triple the risk of cesarean and forceps assisted delivery. They can cause you to feel drowsy, high, detached, dizzy, confused, and/or nauseous. Being in a drugged state can interfere with early bonding and that can affect the long term mother/child relationship.
-Fact - Pain medications are often unnecessary
Why do so many women take these dangerous drugs? Typically they are unaware of the risks. They may also feel incapable of birthing drug free.
The well-researched, insightful program, Healthy, Pain Free, Drug Free Childbirth can help you make an enlightened, empowered, healthier choice by helping you learn:
* The drawbacks of the drugs used during labor including fifteen known health risks of epidurals
* Why well-intentioned doctors continue to prescribe dangerous drugs and why women continue to use them
* Why pain management techniques typically taught in childbirth classes fail-controlled breathing and focal points are of limited value in preventing pain
* A new approach to dealing with pain based on understanding it as a perception-appreciate how athletes and dancers can be extremely stressed physically, yet feel no pain
* How this understanding of pain will help you manage pain throughout your life; particularly during childbirth
* Thirteen specific attitudes and actions you can take to facilitate having a pain free, drug free childbirth.
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