The Skeptical OB

I’d like to introduce a new term to the lexicon, because sometimes the old terms don’t really capture what I am trying to express. To “sanctimommy” and “quacktivist,” I’d like to add “babyslaughter.” What is babyslaughter? Simply put, it is the newborn equivalent of manslaughter. According to an online legal dictionary: Manslaughter is a distinct […]

Homebirth deaths occur with depressing regularity, and I report on them with depressing regularity. The response of many of the loss mothers is also depressingly regular, so it seems necessary to explain some things about the internet. 1. No, your public blog is not private. A personal blog is like a television channel. If you […]

Hi! My name is Ima Frawde and I am so glad that you have chosen me to be your guide during your climb of Everest. The fact that you have chosen me indicates that you are well on your way to mastering the most important skill in climbing the mountain: Trust Everest. And why shouldn’t […]

A new post from Magnus Snyder’s mother Sara got me thinking about the many ways that MANA (the Midwives Alliance of North America) demonstrates their contempt for accountability. Sara pointed out two egregrious examples: 1, Instead of investigating a midwife who presided over preventable neonatal deaths, MANA promoted her: it should be dually noted that […]

Are homebirth deaths rare? It certainly doesn’t seem like it. We have been discussing the homebirth death of one baby  that occurred last month, but in the past few weeks 3 other homebirth deaths were being discussed, as well as a spectacular near miss. 1. A CPM practicing despite a revoked/suspended license presided over the […]

Every time I think MANA can sink no lower in its willingness to hide and otherwise ignore the many homebirth deaths that occur at the hands of CPMs, they surprise me and sink lower still. From the Sept 2012 MANA Newsletter: Michigan midwives have been bearing the brunt of a difficult series of articles and […]

There are so many homebirth deaths occurring that I am having a hard time keeping up. I originally planned to blog today about the recent homebirth death in New Jersey attended by a CPM who had already had her license revoked. I’ll need to save that one for another day. I came across the story […]

Homebirth advocacy websites are classic “rumor communities.” What is a rumor community? … Community members limit the scope of conflict by asserting authority to speak publicly and rejecting contributors with countering opinions as irrelevant. They sustain their threatened community by denying scientific evidence and demanding unattainable levels of scientific proof, and they socialize conflict by […]

Breech babies make up only 3-4% of all births, yet they represent a disproportionate share of homebirth deaths. Why? Because breech birth is dangerous. I’ve written before that, contrary to the prattling of homebirth advocates, breech is not a variation of normal. I have also pointed out that homebirth advocates indicate their awareness of this […]

My doctor says my blood pressure is high at 160/100 and wants to start me on  blood pressure medication. I was shocked because I do everything right. I eat lots of kale, exercise everyday, and have a normal BMI. How could I have high blood pressure? My doctor explained that as people get older, their […]