Once a Cesarean, Rarely a Choice

Gina agreed to write from the NIH VBAC conference for RH Reality Check as an advocate, a writer and a valued voice in birth activism. For more coverage of the conference, please visit Gina's coverage on her site The Feminist Breeder! This week the National Institutes of Health held a consensus conference on the topic of Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC.) The purpose of this conference is to present and explore the current available information about the risks and benefits of both a vaginal delivery, and a repeat cesarean delivery, whereby the panel may ultimately present a consensus statement on the safety, efficacy, and availability of VBAC. With the current national cesarean rate of 31.8 percent, a VBAC rate of only 7.8 percent, and nearly 40 percent of US hospitals banning vaginal birth after cesarean, many women are finding they have no choice but to undergo major abdominal surgeries for the delivery of their children. However, many women, alongside providers and educators, have stood in opposition to this forced surgery as a fundamental violation of the mother’s right to choose what happens to her body and her baby. When the NIH announced the VBAC conference, many activists, mothers, and providers, felt this was an opportunity to beseech the researchers to look at the information available and see how this lack of choice has been harming mothers, their families, and even their providers. In a show of solidarity, birth activists from all over the world came to witness the conference, ask questions, and share their stories about the ways that forced cesareans have affected their lives or their practice. Photo courtesy of The Feminist Breeder Much to the surprise and delight of the concerned activists, the resonating tone throughout the NIH VBAC conference was that of: maternal choice, patient autonomy, and informed consent or refusal. While in recent years the relatively small risks associated with VBAC labor have driven providers to restrict access to VBAC, the NIH speakers presented clear evidence that there are serious risks associated with repeat cesarean delivery as well. Dr. Howard Minkoff even pointed to the 2002 Smith study showing the risk to the baby in a VBAC labor is about the same as any other full term, normal vaginal delivery. Consistently, the speakers stated that VBAC is a reasonable option, elective repeat cesarean is not a risk-free delivery, and that ultimately, it is the mother’s choice which of those risks to accept. None of this is new information to anyone interested in maternal and fetal health, but these revelations in this type of forum validate the feelings of the many mothers and activists who have spent years pleading for supported access to VBAC. Though most of the conference speakers focused on the statistical medical data on vaginal or cesarean birth, one speaker illustrated the more personal side of the story. USA Today reporter Rita Rubin, brought the audience on an emotional journey as she presented stories of families across the country who have picketed, battled, or even birthed unassisted in the name of preventing an unwanted and unnecessary cesarean. Throughout the conference, speakers and audience members made the NIH panel aware that many mothers demand access to vaginal birth, and that the VBAC issue will remain a contentious topic until hospitals and providers start respecting, and honoring, the mother’s right to choose. Unfortunately, the language about informed consent and patient autonomy did not make it into the final NIH consensus statement, and when panelists were pressed on the issue, they failed to recognize that pregnant women have the same right to choose thier course of care as any non-pregnant person. Says Susan Jenkins, legal counsel for The Big Push For Midwives, "the panel refused to take a position on whether a pregnant woman has the same constitutional right to informed refusal as any other adult in the U.S. This is unconscionable and I wonder what this administration's take is on an HHS panel questioning whether pregnant women are entitled to the full benefits of U.S. citizenship in regard to patient autonomy." Time will only tell if the NIH consensus will have a positive impact on VBAC access in this country. From a birth activist’s point of view, the statements made during the conference were a huge leap in the right direction. However, our cesarean and VBAC rates will not be reversed overnight, and in the interim, scores of women are left without a choice but to either fight the system for their VBAC, or submit to a surgical birth. To these women and their families, this is really no choice at all.

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Shinan: Kelly in blunderland

[Astrid Stawiarz / Getty Images] Lesson No. 1, Kelly Cutrone: Do your homework! While making her umpteenth rounds while in Canada yesterday to promote her new book, If You Have to Cry, Go Outside: And Other Things You Mother Never Told You, Her Royal Reality-Show Highness entertained an interview during which she made a boo-boo not worthy of a woman with her standards. Asked if she was thought it was “better to be loved or feared” — this, by local It Girl Sarah Nicole Prickett for Eye Weekly — the black-clad Kell on Earth star confused her Machiavelli with her Lewis Carroll, and answered “both.” Then, added, “You know, that’s a very Alice in Wonderland question,” which then led to a very tweedledee-tweedledum exposition on the latest Tim Burton movie. Um, no it’s not, Kelly, um, Ms. Cutrone. It’s a direct question from The Prince and, indeed, the one quote from The Prince that even people who haven’t read The Prince know to make it sound like they’ve read The Prince. A schoomarish smack-down is not always necessary or recommended when it comes to the classics, but it certainly brings it out in me when the offender in question is so alternately loved and feared, not to mention, famous for her tough-love schtick and, in addition, known for her finger-flinging exactingness (as in her kvetching later on in this same interview about the loosey-goosey definition applied these days to the term “couture”). Alas, at least Prickett got her interview. Another blogger-about-town, Jen McNeely, of that popular site Shedoesthecity.com, most certainly did not. She was, in fact, guillotine’ed via Tweet, so to speak, last Friday when she earlier (and playfully) called her a “witch” in a message. Not taking any prisoners, Cutrone cancelled her scheduled interview, which then Jen wrote about on her blog, which then made its way onto other sites (such as Torontolife.com), which then resulted in more Twitter “followers” for Jen and more publicity, not less, for Kelly’s book. Curiouser and curiouser, it all got — just the way Machiavelli put it! As for Kelly’s true take on the true Machiavelli question — whether it is better to be feared or loved, indeed — perhaps the real clue lay in her visit yesterday afternoon to the Hermes store, on Bloor Street. That is where she was noted picking up a suck-up present for Fashion Television’s Jeanne Beker, who later was set to interview the author at a Q&A session organized by Indigo. Meanwhile, I see, I hear: That the cats and dogs weather did not deter Bruce Willis and John Malkovich from hitting the town on Saturday night. The action hero and the menacing thespian did then the always-popular Giancarlo, on College, where at least one man-socialite-about-town was also spotted celebrating his birthday. This! That! Too! The just-so director behind the new Joan Jett biopic, The Runways, really strove to make the movie less Brady Bunch, more ’70s dirty. To that end, explained Canada’s Floria Sigismondi to The New York Times recently, she opted for Super 16 film (in order to establish a more grainy, retro feel). Toronto, by the way, got its first-look at the Dakota Fanning-Kristen Stewart flick at a screening held at the Isabel Bader Theatre the other night. Eric McCormack didn’t like dressing up for the Olympics last month. Talking up Canada while on The View last week, the TV gadabout mentioned he went to the Opening Ceremonies in Vancouver, where everybody was forced to put on these “blue ponchos.” We all looked, he said, like we were “about to be married by the reverend Sun Myung Moon.” What a difference a decade and some change makes! With Sarah Jessica Parker due in town today — for a Halston Heritage reception at The Room — it occurs to me that the last time she spent any real time in Toronto was for 1996’s now all-but-forgotten Extreme Measures, co-starring Hugh Grant. That was before she’d become a Sex-y emblem for the ages, and certainly before she was SJP Inc.

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In Focus: Luke Hayes

In Focus is Archinect's new series of features dedicated to profiling the photographers who help make the work of architects look that much better. What has attracted them to architecture? How do they work? What type of equipment do they use? What do they think about seeing their work in blogs? In this feature, we talk to London-based photographer Luke Hayes. Archinect: What is your relationship with architecture? What drew you to architecture, as a photographer? Luke Hayes: Two of my family members are architects, and I have always been interested in the built environment. Not just architecture, but also infrastructure and buildings or structures that perform a function that are not necessarily designed with their architectural merits in mind. Whilst at art school, I experimented with large format photography and was naturally drawn to shooting buildings. Subjects I chose were often more obscure structures such as a holiday hut or a 1960s modern church. My principle influences were Jeff Wall, Hiroshi Sugimoto, The Becher's and Julius Schulman. ↑ Click image to enlarge The MAXXI, Rome. By Zaha Hadid Architects. Photography by Luke Hayes ↑ Click image to enlarge The MAXXI, Rome. By Zaha Hadid Architects. Photography by Luke Hayes Describe how you work... who are your clients? LH: Most of my work these days is commissioned, and usually I am briefed 1-2 weeks before the shoot takes place. Where possible, I will meet with the project architect and take a walk round the location and try to identify important angles, views etc. But usually it is a brief phone call or email, and I am left to take my own interpretation of the building. Some of my clients include Zaha Hadid Architects, The Design Museum, Chapman Taylor, Carmody Groarke. ↑ Click image to enlarge JS Bach Music Hall, Manchester. By Zaha Hadid Architects. Photography by Luke Hayes Do you mostly work in a specific region? What is your travel schedule like? LH: Last year I traveled quite a lot, MAXXI rome, 100% Design Tokyo, but usually most of my work is in London. This year, I am hoping to visit Abu Dhabi, Japan and China. A goal of mine is to work for a longer period of time in a foreign country. ↑ Click image to enlarge Serpentine Pavilion 2008 by Olafur Eliasson. Photography by Luke Hayes ↑ Click image to enlarge Tate St Ives, Cornwall. By Evans and Shalev. Photography by Luke Hayes ↑ Click image to enlarge Artists residence, North London. By Carmody Groarke Architects. Photography by Luke Hayes What is your goal when capturing buildings in photographs? LH: I'm aiming to capture the signature of a building. In so doing hopefully describing the architect's vision as well as the functionality of the building. Sometimes it's not always possible in one shot, so I also try to shoot as if taking a visual journey around the structure. ↑ Click image to enlarge Serpentine Pavilion 2007 by Zaha Hadid Architects. Photography by Luke Hayes ↑ Click image to enlarge Magna, Science Center, Sheffield. By Wilkinson Eyre. Photography by Luke Hayes What are your thoughts about including people in your photos? Is it important to photograph a building in use, or by itself? LH: People are usually what the architecture is created for, and so it is very important to show interaction. As well as scale and movement around the structure. But sometimes a beautiful sculptural form works better on its own. ↑ Click image to enlarge Serpentine Pavilion 2008 by Frank Gehry. Photography by Luke Hayes ↑ Click image to enlarge Westminster Kingsway College by Bond Bryan Architects. Photography by Luke Hayes What are your favorite pieces of equipment? LH: 1DS MK111 with a 24m TSE. ↑ Click image to enlarge The Willis Tower, Skydeck Ledge by SOM. Photography by Luke Hayes ↑ Click image to enlarge Zaragoza Bridge Pavilion by Zaha Hadid Architects. Photography by Luke Hayes ↑ Click image to enlarge Prada Store, Tokyo. By Herzog & de Meuron. Photography by Luke Hayes Do you work alone? LH: Usually I work alone. ↑ Click image to enlarge Calais infrastructure. Photography by Luke Hayes ↑ Click image to enlarge Tate Modern, London. Photography by Luke Hayes How do you feel about seeing your photographs on blogs and websites? LH: It's all still very new. Blogs and websites that are promoting architectural news and events are great. As long as we are credited and hyperlinked!! The gray area between what needs to be payed for and the benefit to the client needs to be addressed. Especially if the website sells advertising space, because I believe any potential advertisers would be more likely to spend money on a site that has great photography. So maybe we should be paid something? Luke Hayes studied photography at Falmouth College of Arts and graduated in 2000. Ever since, he has been working in photography.

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*SOLD OUT* DEAL Art Print: Mariachi De Los Muertos

Im excited to announce that i just added a new art print to my store. Its a 4 color 18x24 screenprint entitled, "Mariachi De Los Muertos". The piece is based an a gilcee print i did back in November for a Dia De Los Muertos group show at HOWL gallery in Fort Myers. CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE STORE Prints start shipping next week. Make sure you place your order by Dec 17th for Christmas delivery. Also if you havent checked out my site lately, i recently gave it a complete overhaul and added new work. Czech It! http://www.derekdeal.com

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VIDEO ROLL>> ABT @ THE GENEVA MOTOR SHOW

(Please visit the site to view this media) We just got sent the link to this cool video showcasing ABT's tuned up machines from the Geneva show floor... boy I'd love to unleash these cars onto the German Autobahn! :R...(read more)

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MEDC Staff Visit Site Selectors, Attend Medical Device And Manufacturing Show

MEDC staff met with Los Angeles site selectors.

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"Today Show" offers preview, contest to attend opening of WWoHP

NBC's The Today Show recently ran a preview of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Theme Park, which you can see here in our video galleries. Also, the show is running a contest for a class trip to the amusement park: Teachers can visit the Today Show's Web site, fill out a form, and submit a video/DVD submission answering the question, "Why is my class extraordinary"? Winners get a two-night trip...

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Senate Floor Action: How to track your bills

We've been documenting senate floor action (here, here and here). As the final End of Session Crescendo arrives, here are a few pointers on gathering all that vital information for yourself. Visit the Audio & Video Archives 1. Visit the Legislative web site. 2. On the far right side, you’ll see the “Quick Links” section. Listed under this section is "Floor Debates." Click on the Senate tab. 3. On this page, fill in the desired Legislative Session year and date. 4. Once you have chosen a specific day, all floor action of that day should show up with options to view each action (or bill debate) either visually or with audio. Bill Search and Bill Status Page 1. On the right upper corner of the Legislative site, you’ll find the “Quick Bill Search” section. Type in your bill number, name of the sponsor or the subject of the bill into the search box. Easy as pie. 2. Click on your bill. 3. Now you're at the Bill's info page. You'll be able to . . . Upload and read the actual bill in PDF or HTML format. Track bill status to see where the bill has been or where it is headed and track the tallied votes it has received. Listen to debates on the bill, either while it was in committee or on the Senate floor. Have updates bill sent to your email address. Etcetera. Check it out. Here's an example. More Tracking Tools On the left side of the Legislative site, mouse over Bills and check out the options. The Reading Calendar "What bill are they on now?" Also easy as pie to find out. Go to the Reading Calendar. Put a check in the House or Senate "Display Board" box. Now you know. You can see the vote count here too. On the left side you can also check boxes to view a live video feed, list of bills to be discussed next and indications as to which bills are circled, and links to the text of all the bills on the calendars. Leave a comment if you have any questions.

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Cute Hairstyles – The Tips You Must Know About

An ultra-short hair style is the one where the quality of hair cut matters most of all. Ultra-short hair could look sexy and fun. Here are the tips that will help you to get the best of your ultra-short hair. Start with studying various types of ultra-short hair styles. You will be surprised to find out about the whole range of possibilities. Check fashion and hair magazines for information. Choose the styles that appeal to you. Do not try to save money on getting your hair cut. Make an investment into your appearance, and get a really great ultra-short hair style. It is the case when everything depends on the shape of the cut. Show your hair stylist several photos of hair cuts that you like. The professional can tell you whether they will suit your shape of the face. Try to get a flexible and easy to change style. Ask your hair dresser if it will be possible to curl or straighten the hair. Find out what changes you will be able to make using different styling products. Try to get a style that will point up your best features. This could be done along with your hair stylist. Keep in mind that short hair can be hard to wear. So try to avoid the styles that will not work with your face. You should discuss with your hair dresser the possibility of using a razor for cutting. This technique usually lightens short hair and gives it a choppier look. Think of a ‘just out of bed’ look. This ultra-short hair style could look very feminine. Consider your lifestyle. Pick the hair cut that does not require much time to style. Make sure you will be able to look well even if you run out of home without blow-drying one morning. Use professional styling products to make your ultra-short hair look its best. You might want to consult your stylist what type of products to choose for great results. Think of perming your hair. Ask your hair dresser if a perm is applicable to your hair cut. If your hair needs more volume and body, root or pin curl perm may be a good choice for you. Any case, ask your hair dresser for an advice. Think of getting highlights. Highlighting short hair usually allows it catching the light. This will probably give you an up-to-date look. If your hair texture is very fine, let your cut follow the shape of your head. This is a way of softening a very short cut. Even though all the general recommendations are important, your hair stylist might be very helpful since he or she could come up with some individual tips. So enjoy your hair style and don’t be afraid of experiments! Looks really play an important role. That is why cute hairstyles can help a lot to improve your image. For the ideas and advice about cute hairstyles, please visit this site – really tons of info, articles and images. The best cute hairstyles are chosen here. Right now we are living in the world where knowledge quickly enhances the quality of our life. Due to this if you are properly armed with the knowledge in your sphere of interest you can rest assured that you will always find the solution to any bad situation. So, please make sure to get back to this web site on a regular basis or – an ideal solution for you – sign up to its RSS feed. In such an easy way you will have your hand on the pulse of the latest informational updates here. Blogging can be helpful, you just need to understand how to use them.

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Kenna's 'Summit On The Summit' Continues Fight For Clean Water

'If we don't take care of it across the world, we'll certainly be facing the issue here at home,' he says of lack of clean drinking water. By James Montgomery Kenna at the State Department Photo: U.S. State Department The stated goal of Kenna's "Summit on the Summit: Kilimanjaro" was to raise awareness about the global clean-water crisis — more than 1 billion people do not have access to clean drinking water and water-related diseases claim the lives of nearly 4 million people each year — because, as he put it, "What's more noticeable than climbing a mountain?" In January, along with a team of 300 that included fellow musicians Lupe Fiasco and Santigold, actors Jessica Biel, Emile Hirsch (not to mention scientists, United Nations ambassadors, a film crew and experienced guides), Kenna began his climb up Mount Kilimanjaro, battling freezing rain, gashing rocks and dizzying atmospheric conditions on his way to the peak, some 19,000 feet above sea level. Their trek was documented in "Summit" — which premiered Sunday on MTV — and followed by fans online and, accordingly, awareness was raised. But now that he's back down from the mountain, Kenna says the real struggle has just begun. Because with no mountain left to climb, Kenna and company are tasked with keeping that awareness alive and, in the process, trying to keep the U.S. government from slashing funding for support of clean-water initiatives. It was actually a battle he began fighting before the ascent up Kilimanjaro even began. "In November, I went to the State Department and Congress, spent time with [Congresswoman] Nita Lowey. I went there to ask them if I was to climb a mountain to raise awareness, would it help raise awareness in Washington to get appropriations?" Kenna told MTV News. "The response was, 'Well, good luck, because it would certainly be helpful.' " So he climbed. And then he went back to Washington, along with a team that included United Nations Foundation ambassador Elizabeth Gore, with the express purpose of securing appropriations for fighting water-borne diseases. "We went down and did a photo exhibition at the State Department to show just how serious this issue is. We sat down with Congressman [Earl] Blumenaur in [House Speaker] Nancy Pelosi's conference room," Kenna said. "He was one of the first to write [Senator] Paul Simon's 'Water for the World.' We went there to ask hard questions, like, 'Are we spending too much money on things that are interconnected with the water issue?' Because water is the issue. "We spend billions of dollars on the prevention of HIV and AIDS, but only hundreds of millions on [preventing] water-borne diseases on other things? And the two issues are related," he continued. "A woman or a child will walk six miles to get some water, outside of any kind of secure area, and what if one of those women and children gets raped and gets HIV? They will then be taking antiviral medications with compromised water. Or, more commonly, if a child is chasing water, he or she never went to school, never learned about HIV. That same kid will have to take antivirals with compromised water. Basically, how are the anitvirals going to benefit somebody when they're going to die from water with water-borne diseases?" And while the goal was to secure necessary appropriations, Kenna and his team also prevented the government from cutting the level of funding from $300 million down to $200 million. For now, they'll take that small victory, but the goal — according to Gore — is much, much higher. "We lose a child every 15 seconds to lack of water, so when we went to Washington, we asked Congress for $500 million in appropriations, because we believe we can end this crisis," she said. "That took guts and teamwork to do and I could never have done it on my own — none of us could, which is why we went together, because if we could climb a mountain, we could certainly do anything." Kenna said that the end results of his team's visit to Washington will be seen on March 22 — World Water Day. He hopes that the State Department will consider what he and the team had to say and that appropriations will be secured. He's optimistic, but at the same time cautions, "I'll leave it to them to communicate." And in the meantime, the fight to secure clean water continues. Both Kenna and Gore are championing a text-to-donate system — just texting the world "send" to 90999 will give $10 to the U.N. Foundation, which translates into 1,000 liters of water, enough to benefit a child for an entire year. And he hopes that long after the memories of his trip up Kilimanjaro fade, people will still remember the message behind that climb. Because at the end of the day, the clean-water crisis affects all of us, even if we don't realize it just yet. "We as a human race tend to be short-sighted. We pay attention to things right in front of us and, frankly, we miss the plot. We mean well, but we miss the plot. For me, it's less of an interesting thing to text and donate, than it is for people to educate themselves about the issue," Kenna said. "It already affects a billion people. And if you turn on the news, you hear about states like California and Virginia not having enough water already. So it's coming here. And if we don't take care of it across the world, we'll certainly be facing the issue here at home." Find out what you can do to help solve the global water crisis now at the "Summit on the Summit" Web site. Related Videos Check Out A Preview Of 'Summit On The Summit: Kilimanjaro' Related Photos 'Summit On The Summit: Kilimanjaro' Red Carpet

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