For Our Babies...

I need to take this opportunity to pass on some information of PRESSING importance. I firmly believe in what Midwives do and support their efforts. Mothers SHOULD have every option open as to what they want in introducing their babies into the world. If they want a non-medicated, intimidation free, natural childbirth then they SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY. In Alabama those options are being discussed. Here's what you can do if you share my views:

Affecting Change in Alabama: Rally in Montgomery for Midwifes' Rights. On March 29 2007 from 10 am to 2 pm supporters for the certification of midwifes in Alabama will be holding a rally at the capital in Montgomery. On the 6th floor of the house you will find people from all backgrounds handing out information and speaking about their own experiences to Alabama Representatives in hopes of getting this very important bill passed into legislation. Expect to see practicing midwifes, doulas their patients, homebirthers, home schoolers, their parents and many others who support midwifery and birthing mother's right to choose home birth as an option for delivery. There are several types of midwifes, and while they all have training in natural childbirth, they are not allowed to attend home births in Alabama. Those who do practice in Alabama are forced to either leave the state to attend births or work in a hospital under a doctor's direction. This leaves pregnant women who want a midwife to attend their labor few options; Leave the state while in labor and hope they make it in time, Have an unassisted birth at home, or give birth at a hospital. Most Obstetricians refuse to keep a pregnant woman as a patient if they find out that the woman will birth with a midwife. Most insurance companies do not cover midwifes, causing those who want a midwife to pay out of pocket when they could use that money for their new baby. But if legislation passes to allow midwifes to be come certified in Alabama that may change, giving pregnant mother more birthing options. More than half of the states in the U.S allow midwifes to attend home births. Home births have a much lower intervention rate and mortality rate. The U.S has one of the lowest scores in industrialized countries for mortality rates/ interventions during birth, with Alabama being third from the bottom in the U.S. The top reason for hospitalization being labor and delivery. While there's no doubt that some labors do need intervention (howbeit rare) most pregnancies progress fine with no need for hospitalization, episiotomies, epidurals and c-sections, which have become commonplace in American hospitals. Midwifes have to jump through loops to practice in Alabama and as they currently cannot become certified in Alabama can have problems getting insurance themselves. Since Alabama ceased offering certification for midwifes they and their supporters have been lobbying for it again. The state of Alabama told these midwifes that they could continue to practice home births in Alabama if they were certified in the state, but no longer offer the certification needed. Not everyone will choose to have a home birth, many preferring to be in a hospital, but for those who want the most natural setting to give birth (in the comfort of their own home being in control) they are not left with many options. One thing I've learned from my own home birth is that each woman has to choose for herself. It's not right for the state to make the choice for you. If you're unsure how you feel about this subject, research the subject, and if you agree that women should have the option of choosing what type of care to receive (even if a midwife is not for you) then support the local midwifes in your area. Contact them and ask what you can do to help bring more attention to this problem. Write or sign a petition, write or call your local lawmakers and talk to your friends and family. Midwifes deserve our help, and so do the babies they deliver.

PARADIGM SHIFT

Two VERY different views of childbirth:

The medical model treats childbirth as a medical emergency, where intervention in the form of hospital beds, drugs, monitoring, instruments, epidurals, c-sections, and even greater obsurdities are the typical experience due to fear of complication. That's only BEFORE birth, not considering the incomprehensible things we subject our newborn babies to in the name of "prevention". The "other" model treats childbirth as the most sacred of experiences for a women, relying on the innate wisdom of the human body through God's perfect design to work according to plan with minimal complication or intervention

PRODUCT HIGHLITE

Midwives and Doulas

It's only fitting to give you a resource where you can track down a Doula or Midwife in your area for EVERY pregnant mom you know. Here's a resource I was able to find: http://www.birthscene.com/search.cfm If you are in Mobile Alabama, I personally recommend Colleen Tullis as she is a close and TRUSTED friend.

The Best Policy...

The famous quote by Benjamin Franklin says "Honesty is the best policy". Sounds great, but Ray Blanton got it right when he said "Honesty does not always bring a response of love, but it is absolutely essential to it."

Being a doctor (a responsible one) requires going beyond the shade of inoffensiveness, and telling people the bare naked truth. Sometimes...it hurts. Sometimes...it creates issues. But it matters most when it CHANGES something. If your child was taking drugs (illegal ones?), out of LOVE you would tell them what they needed to hear. They may not like it, but what might happen if nothing was said? In a day and age where hospitals are the #8 leading cause of death in America, a responsible doctor must do EVERYTHING in his power to make sure people don't end up there. In a day and age where over ONE MILLION people are killed by the U.S. medical system, a responsible doctor must do EVERYTHING in his power to make sure that people don't rely on this system for safety. In the end the pain of honesty is outweighed by the joy of lives saved. Tell the TRUTH. While 10 people may get upset with you there's 10 more that will listen. In the end, what decisions those around you make will not matter...only how far YOU went to help them.

PARADIGM SHIFT

Easy way...Tell people what they want to hear, when they want to hear it. You will not offend anyone. You will have lots of friends. You will live a happy life. And when you pass God will pat you on the back and say "you did well for you cared for people and were a good FRIEND to many."

Hard way...Tell people the truth, no matter how painful or forward, and don't ever hold back. You will offend some...but you will LEAD many. You may not have lots of friends...but you will have LOTS of followers. You will live a FULFILLED life. And when you pass...God will say "even though it hurt, thank you for doing what I commanded and LOVING your neighbors as YOURSELF."

Fact or Belief...

I hope you have had a great weekend, and I want to start the week off right by placing your feet on firm foundation by answering the question systematically. What is Health? Not a week goes by that I don't hear it both ways. The first 'version' is; "Well I'm a 'believer' doc and I tell everyone about Chiropractic." The other 'version' is; "I don't believe in Chiropractic". BOTH of these comments drive me nuts...here's why.

SCIENTIFIC FACTS:

1. The brain controls ALL organs and functions of health
2. The brain controls and coordinates the HEALING processes of the body
3. The brain is connected to the body via the spinal cord and nerves
4. The cord and nerves are surrounded by the spine
5. When the spine is subluxated (out of normal position) it damages the cord and nerves
6. Cord and nerve damage equals organ dysfunction
7. Organ dysfunction equals organ disease
8. Organ disease means loss of life capacity

These are ALL scientific facts...NOT BELIEFS. Sure it's great that you believe it too, but it's kind of like my 2 year old learning that the sky is blue (no offense). The point is this. Subluxation is THE real killer. With subluxation your body cannot heal properly thereby LEADING to cancer, heart disease, and other 'systemic dysfunction' diseases later in life. If you are subject to gravity, then you are most likely subluxated. Does that mean you will die tomorrow? Probably not. But WHAT IF IT'S LEFT THERE? Don't take your chances. Find it and stop it. Stop waiting to "Believe"...schedule your entire family with a Chiropractor TODAY and add years to your life!


PARADIGM SHIFT

FAITH is "believing in things unseen"...

When you take medicine you are acting in FAITH. This choice requires a great degree of FAITH in results UNSEEN because it's the #1 killer in the United States today, responsible for more than 1 MILLION deaths annually. Chiropractic states that "the power that made the body heals the body...above, down, inside, out." Chiropractic is NOT FAITH. It's testable...it's valid...it's inarguable. Chiropractic is the most SCIENTIFIC and sound system of health care in existence. The FAITH with Chiropractic is that God created the body to handle illness and disease. Have you made the choice yet?