Re: Dr. Phil and the 30%

From: dfafd (slow_gazelle_at_yahoo.com)
Date: 12/03/04 

Date: 2 Dec 2004 19:39:56 -0800

simple solution: euthanize the retarded child. i do not want to pay
for your retarded child.

"Todd Gastaldo" <tgastaldo@earthlink.net> wrote in message news:<mWsrd.5252$u81.4907@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net>...
> I forgot to mention: I hope Dr. Phil doesn't edit out Lisa's mention of the
> 30%...
>
>
> Donna,
>
> I, too, am pleased to see Lisa Muscarella speaking out.
>
> It is quite false though to say that only mothers whose babies have been
> victimized can speak out.
>
> We ALL have an obligation to speak out when wrongs are being committed
> against helpless persons.
>
> Mothers should not have to ASK obstetricians (or midwives) for the "extra"
> up to 30% of room in the birth canal.
>
> Todd
>
> Dr. Gastaldo
> todd@chiromotion.com
>
> PS Lisa, you expressed only part of my sentiment in response to the Merck
> Manual admission.
>
> It is important to clearly state that OBs are closing birth canals up to 30%
> then KEEPING birth canals closed when babies get stuck.
>
> OBs are actually LYING in a lame attempt to cover-up.
>
> See Make birth better: Dan Rather, before you leave CBS...
> http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/chiro-list/message/2983
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Donna Young
> To: Lisa
> Cc: todd.watkins@cma.ca ; Todd Gastaldo ; Kelly Moscarello ; Cory Mermer ;
> CBC Ombudsman ; Sounds Like Canada ; fifth@toronto.cbc.ca ; national@cbc.ca
> ; dsherriff-scott@blgcanada.com ; M HALIBURTON ; HARLEY HARASYM ; Carley
> Sent: Wednesday, December 01, 2004 1:13 PM
> Subject: this is excellant on child-birth position. Now write, please,
> giving blood of babies to cord blood banks, how misguided it is, eh.
>
>
> ONLY the mothers who have victimized babies, can speak out. Us
> grandmothers, our part, is to encourage you to come forward. God's
> blessings. May your voice be heard around the world.
> Donna 1-250-782-9223
>
> <snip>
>
> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>
> December 1, 2004
>
>
>
> Contact: Lisa Muscarella
>
> Home (928) 779-6354
>
> Cell (928) 856-1513
>
>
>
> ARIZONA MOTHER OF INJURED BABY ON DR. PHIL, AIRING DEC. 13th
>
>
>
> On December 13th Dr. Phil will be airing a show on medical controversies
> and how the injury to a child at birth can impact a family. My husband,
> daughter, and I will all be on a segment of the show. Having an Arizona
> family on the Dr. Phil show is exciting and interesting in itself,
> especially considering the topic; however, there is much more to this story,
> and there is clear potential to create an amazing news piece, which could be
> highly provocative, interesting and informative.
>
>
>
> The injury my son sustained at birth is called a brachial plexus injury.
> He was a big baby, and during the time of delivery, after his head came out,
> his shoulder became stuck, a phenomenon known as shoulder dystocia.
> Shoulder dystocia can result in clavicle fractures, fracture of humerus,
> brachial plexus injuries, fetal hypoxia (with or without permanent
> neurologic damage, or even death. Although shoulder dystocia is fairly
> common and something that all doctors find worrisome, some doctors and
> midwives are not adequately trained or prepared to handle it the way they
> should be, and they panic or overreact, applying excessive traction to the
> baby's head and neck in an effort to dislodge the baby. This is tragic
> because applying excessive traction to the baby's head is not one of the
> maneuvers designed to release the baby, actually it is clearly
> contraindicated, since pulling or turning the head can tear the nerves
> coming from the baby's spinal cord.
>
>
>
> Immediately after my son's birth his arm was completely limp, lifeless and
> paralyzed due to the severe damage of the nerves (the brachial plexus
> network of nerves) that come from the neck and down into the shoulder, arm,
> elbow, wrist and hand. Through endless hours of daily therapy for years and
> surgery, he has regained a lot of function, but has many limitations,
> weakness, deformity of the shoulder joint, deformity of the elbow joint,
> along with many other lifelong issues. We were fortunate enough to capture
> our son's birth on video, sadly though, the hospital banned video tapping
> births shortly thereafter.
>
>
>
> Recoveries from this birth injury vary from child to child. Some children
> have complete recovery in time, some have partial recovery and some have
> limited if any recovery. This injury is known to be one of the most complex
> injuries there is (next to spinal cord injuries) and it is often
> misunderstood, especially in terms of its treatment and long-term
> implication, which are numerous.
>
>
>
> Large infants are certainly at risk for shoulder dystocia, but normal
> weight infants may also suffer this complication. One of the most common
> risk factors for shoulder dystocia is the use of a vacuum or forceps during
> delivery. Brachial plexus injuries (also known as Erb's Palsy & Klumpke's)
> occur much more frequently than people realize. This injury affects
> approximately 12,000 babies each year in the United States. Brachial plexus
> injuries are one of the most litigated, if not "the" most litigated of all
> birth injuries. They occur in an estimated 2-4 per 1,000 births. More
> newborns suffer birth-related brachial plexus injuries than Down's syndrome,
> Muscular Dystrophy and Spina Bifida. This birth injury also occurs as
> frequently as Cerebral Palsy, yet it is often swept under the rug and not
> even mentioned in many prenatal books. Why? Perhaps because the medical
> field continually minimizes the injury and does not acknowledge the possible
> lifelong implications. Most of us are sent home from the hospital with our
> babies paralyzed arm pinned to their shirt and told the baby should be fine
> in a day or two. Perhaps it is because the cause of this preventable birth
> injury lies in the very hands of the doctors and midwives who have
> unnecessarily injured our babies. Perhaps it is because today's hospital
> birthing positions often encourage moms to remain on their back or
> semi-reclined when trying to push a baby out. These positions do not allow
> sacro-iliac joint motion and they actually close the mothers birthing canals
> by up to 30%, thus not allowing enough room for the baby to safely pass
> through. If birthing mothers were not put on their backs in the first
> place, there would be a lot fewer babies getting stuck, less injury, less
> trauma to the baby and less trauma to mother's bodies as well.
>
>
>
> Having your precious baby injured for life, before they even began their
> life, is truly heartbreaking. But having your baby endure an unnecessary
> and preventable lifelong birth injury is a true travesty and enough to make
> any parent lose their mind. This injury requires relentless effort and
> commitment on the family's part. Battles with insurance, enduring a
> stressful litigation process, hours of daily home therapy performed by mom
> and dad, financial stress, relationship stress, multiple weekly therapy
> appointments outside of home, appointments across the nation to see bpi
> specialists, surgery, etc., etc.
>
>
>
> Having seen the impact on my family and so many others out there, I have
> realized just how important support and an accurate source of information
> are for families. I currently serve on the board of directors for the
> United Brachial Plexus Network (www.ubpn.org). The United Brachial Plexus
> Network (UBPN) is a registered non-profit 501(c)3 organization devoted to
> providing information, support and leadership for families and those
> concerned with brachial plexus injuries worldwide. In addition, I am also
> the President of In-Reach, Arizona's brachial plexus injury support network,
> which is composed of children and adults who have sustained brachial plexus
> injuries. All of our gatherings are held in the Phoenix area. For
> individuals and families dealing with this injury, support, information and
> referrals to specialists are crucial.
>
>
>
> All expecting parents should inform themselves regarding safe birthing and
> prevention of unnecessary injury to the baby. I feel so bad and so guilty
> that I was not informed. As a mother, you do everything in your power to
> protect that little miracle growing inside of you for 9 months. It is
> devastating when the health of a baby is taken away, when you as a mother,
> could have done so much to protect your baby and ensure their safety during
> delivery. It just hurts so deeply. I only wish I had known what I know now,
> for I could have spared my precious baby from an unnecessary lifelong
> injury. I could have also spared our family of the stress, grief and
> heartache that this injury has brought to all of our lives.
>
>
>
> We feel honored to have had the opportunity to meet Dr. Phil. I know I
> need to put the pieces of my life back together and to find more balance in
> my life. I know I need to let go of the guilt and anger, and I know I need
> to be there more for my other child and husband as well. I will certainly
> take his words and advice to heart. I know I cannot be consumed by this
> injury in a negative way. I think by helping others inflicted with this
> injury and by working towards birth injury awareness and prevention, that I
> can channel my energies in a positive direction.
>
>
>
> There is nothing more precious in this world than a newborn baby, and
> there is nothing more important than the health of your baby. I believe
> there are many people who would be very interested and could potentially
> benefit from such a news story.
>
>
>
> I have attached a few pictures of my son and below I have included some
> information and links as well. If you would like further information, I
> would be more than happy to provide additional sources and references.
>
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Lisa Muscarella
>
>
>
> http://catalog.nucleusinc.com/generateexhibit.php?ID=2601&ExhibitKeywordsRaw=&TL=16353&A=2
> (illustrated diagram)
>
> "The majority of brachial plexus injuries occur during birth, most often
> as a result of significant force applied to an infant's head during
> delivery. Larger babies, whose shoulders tend to be wider, can have
> difficulty passing through the birth canal, and they are at higher risk of
> injury to the plexus."
> http://www.texaschildrenshospital.com/carecenters/BrachialPlexus/Understanding_BP.aspx
>
> www.ubpn.org United Brachial Plexus Network website
>
> "Five Reasons Not to Birth on Your Back: It will hurt mother. It can
> harm baby. Labor slows. Episiotomy or tears more likely. It makes no
> sense." Sears, W. & Sears, M. (1994) The Birth Book. p. 186. Boston:
> Little, Brown and Company.
>
> "Semi-sitting and lithotomy pushing positions can also result in another
> serious problem of shoulder dystocia. Dr. Jason Gardosi MD FRCS MRCOG from
> the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham, UK explains, "The
> anterio-posterior (outlet) diameter is reduced in recumbent (semi-sitting)
> and lithotomy positions where the weight is taken on the sacrum. The sacrum
> is capable of rotational movement through an axis at the upper part of the
> sacro-iliac joint." He goes on to add, "Many so called 'shoulder dystocias'
> are just difficult deliveries caused by a recumbent position. Apart from the
> sacrum being pushed upward, reducing the AP diameter, it is difficult to
> allow lateral flexion when the presenting shoulder abuts on the mattress."
> Dr. Todd Gastaldo adds, "And when the shoulders get REALLY stuck, MDs pull
> REALLY hard."
> http://www.storknet.com/cubbies/childbirth/pushingpositions.htm
>
> "If possible, try to find a pushing position that doesn't attempt to defy
> gravity. Instead, use gravity to your advantage by kneeling, squatting, or
> sitting up with your legs and knees spread far apart." Ford-Martion, P.
> 2003. The Everything Pregnancy Book. p. 260. Avon: Adams Media
> Corporation.
>
> "When shoulder dystocia occurs, all available personnel should be
> summoned to the room, then the mother's thighs are hyperflexed to increase
> the diameter of the pelvic outlet." Beers, M. & Berkow, R. (1999) The
> Merck Manual, 7th edition, p. 2065, Witehouse Station: Merck Research
> Labortatoires. (it is most unfortunate that they are actually closing birth
> canals to begin with and then trying to open them after there is a problem
> and danger presented to the baby)
>
> Borell, U. & Fernstrom, I. 1957. "The mechanism of labour." Radiol Clin
> North Am. Apr;5(1):73-85.
>
> Borell, U. & Fernstrom, I. 1957. "A pelvimetric method for the
> assessment of pelvic mouldability." Acta Radiol. 1957 May;47(5):365-70.
>
> Borell, U. & Fernstrom, I. 1957. "Shape and course of the birth canal; a
> radiographic study in the human." Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand.
> 1957;36(2):166-78.
>
> Borrell, U. & Fernstrom, I. 1957. "The movements at the sacro-iliac joints
> and their importance to changes in the pelvic dimensions during parturtion."
> Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 1957;36(1):42-57.
>
> Caldeyro-Barcia, 1979 "The Influence of Maternal Position on Time of
> Spontaneous Rupture of the Membranes, Progress of Labour and Fetal Head
> Compression," Birth and the Family Journal 6, no. 1 (Spring);7-15; I.N.
>
> Diehl, J. & Fernstrom, I. 1966. "Radiologic pelvimetry with special
> reference to widest transverse diameter of pelvic inlet." Acta Radiol Diagn
> (Stockh). Sep;4(5):557-68.
>
> Gardosi, J., et al. 1989. "Randomized Controlled Trial of Squatting in the
> Second Stage of Labor." Lancet 74-77 (July 8)
>
> McKay, S. 1984. "Squatting: An Alternative Position for the Second
> Stage of Labor." Maternal Child Nursing 9:181-83.
>
> Ohlsen, H. "Moulding of the pelvis during labour." Acta Radiol Diagn
> (Stockh). 1973 Jul; 14(4):417-34
>
> Roberts, J., et al. 1983. "The Effects of Maternal Position on Uterine
> Contractility and Efficiency." Birth 10 (4):243-49
>
> Russell, J.G. B. 1969. "Moulding of the Pelvic Outlet." J. Obstet. Gynaec.
> Brit. Cwlth. 76:817-20
>
> Weisl, H. 1955. "The movements of the sacroiliac joint." Acta Anat
> (Basel). 23(1):80-91.
>
> "Labour Among Primitive Peoples" written in 1883 by Dr. G. J. Englemann
> who studied the various birthing positions around the world. He found that
> "upright positions always predominate.
>
>
>
> "Active Birth" by Janet Balaskas
>
> ".. Certain principles of physics apply to childbirth, and these are
> opposed when a woman gives birth lying down." P. 12
>
> "The benefits of squatting were radiographically confirmed in the 1930's,
> when it was shown that the cross-sectional surface area of the birth canal
> may increase by as much as 30 percent when a woman changes from lying down
> on her back to the squatting position. And it is nearly thirty years since
> Scott and Kerr demonstrated the disadvantages of having the weight of a
> full-term pregnant uterus pressing down on the back. When the woman lies
> supine, the weight of the contracting uterus reduces the placental blood
> flow by compressing the large artery of the heart (the descending aorta) and
> the large veins leading to the heart (inferior vena cava.) This is a
> clinical fact that should not be ignored by anyone involved with
> childbirth." P. 12
>
> "As long as the mother is upright for the birth, the pelvic joints are
> free to expand, move, and adjust to the shape of the baby's descending head.
> When the mother squats, the sacrum is free to move, allowing the
> anterior-interior diameter of the pelvic outlet to widen by as much as 30
> percent more that it would if the mother's weight were resting directly on
> it - that is, if she were semireclining. The sacrococcygeal joint, the
> joint between the sacrum and the coccyx or tailbone, also softens in
> pregnancy; it is designed to swivel backwards to widen the outlet of the
> pelvis as the baby emerges. Of course, this is impossible if the mother is
> sitting on her coccyx." P. 15
>
>
>
> "In the semisitting position the mother's weight rests on her coccyx and
> the pelvic capacity is reduced." P. 15
>
>
> "In the semireclining position the sacrum is immobile and the pelvic
> outlet narrows." P. 15
>
>
>
> In reference to your pelvis while squatting.. "It is open at its widest in
> this position, and your sacrum and coccyx are free to move if your child is
> passing through your pelvic outlet." P. 138
>
>
>
> "Your coccyx is designed to move out of the way as your baby's head
> descends. Sitting on your coccyx during birth restricts the pelvic outlet
> and can also lead to dislocation of the coccyx, which can be extremely
> painful for months after the birth." P. 139

Relevant Pages

  • Dr. Phil and the 30%
    ... It is important to clearly state that OBs are closing birth canals up to 30% ... and how the injury to a child at birth can impact a family. ... He was a big baby, and during the time of delivery, after his head came out, ... paralyzed due to the severe damage of the nerves (the brachial plexus ...
    (sci.med)
  • Girls in India
    ... Some villages haven't seen the birth of a female in years ... If our baby is a girl - her arrival is likely to be greeted, by some, ... shower you with curses or steal your baby". ... But we will not know the sex of our child until it is born. ...
    (soc.culture.nepal)
  • Re: "Once Removed" In French
    ... Countess gives birth to baby boy ... Earl and Countess of Wessex ... Prince Edward's wife the Countess of Wessex has ...
    (soc.genealogy.medieval)
  • Baby astronaut - also the Mauriceau maneuver
    ... BABY ASTRONAUT - ALSO THE MAURICEAU MANEUVER... ... > trying to give birth. ... closing birth canals is just one of many OB felonies... ...
    (sci.med)
  • Re: paediatrician and child protection
    ... Lets take broken ribs on a baby, ... >>Comparatively massive forces are required to create the injury. ... may have been cared for by someone other than it's parents but what about ...
    (uk.legal)