Hey Reader,
Spring is really here! I have found myself saying this over and over in the past week or so. The snow in our yard is nearly gone (and even if it snows again it will melt fast!), bulbs are popping up, some mornings and evenings feel a little warm and the sun is getting stronger and stronger! Spring is my favorite season; it’s a time of renewal, hope, unknown excitement in the garden and getting back outside before work or after dinner!
The latin word for this month, Aprilis has an uncertain derivation, but the traditional etymology comes from the verb aperire, "to open", much like nature at this time of year. And maybe even our spirits, or Self, after the cold, dark winter.
April has many notable dates, holidays and observances: Holocaust Remembrance Day, Earth Day, Arbor Day, Patriot’s Day, Passover, Easter, Orthodox Easter, Autism Awareness Month, National Poetry Month, Sexual Assault Awareness Month and the list goes on... You can find additional history about the month and plenty more, very interesting observances on Wikipedia’s page.
What isn’t on this list, but is a particularly important observation for me is
Did you know Cesarean deliveries (C-sections) are the most commonly performed surgeries in the United States?! The Pelvic Health Network, is an organization leading the way not only on awareness of Cesareans, but also advocating for changes to how we offer support and rehab services to those who have had a Cesarean delivery. They have published the first Cesarean Delivery Rehab Protocol along with several other resources to support enhanced recovery after delivery. You may have seen their viral coverage of Duke University Hospital's recent success with offering this care to postpartum patients.
​This page has a great interview and if you scroll down it has many resources linked! The first four sentences of the why behind the Cesarean Delivery Rehab Protocol hit me hard,
“Cesarean deliveries are the most common surgery performed in the United States with an average rate of 1.3 million procedures annually. This nearly doubles the rate of knee and hip replacements per year. Unlike many elective and emergent surgeries, cesarean delivery recipients are not typically offered a rehab evaluation and recovery plan of care during hospital admission. The highest rates of complications after cesarean delivery occur during the first 6 weeks of post-surgical recovery.”
Let that soak in, the most common surgery with no rehab evaluation or recovery plan AND they are going home with a newborn baby!
You can also learn more through the International Cesarean Awareness Network and National Accreta Foundation.
This is just one of the reasons why I’m so passionate about serving this population, because I was one of those 1.3 million people twice, and while the first 6 weeks are when the most complications can happen, the recovery doesn’t end at 6 weeks. I’m 17 months and almost 5 years post my C-births and I’m still doing rehab work.
If you, or anyone you know, is looking for support around Cesarean delivery, use these links, find local providers, reach out to me, or attend my workshop! More details below. Let's connect and work together to bring awareness and change this April!
With hope and support,
Saturday April 11th, 1-3PM at Dartmouth's Women's Health Resource Center on the mall in Lebanon. We are looking into making this workshop hybrid for those who want to join but aren’t local - hit reply if that's you and let me know!
|
|
What I've been Working on
​An article, from the Vermont Birth Networkabout the first 2 weeks post C-birth. I, and other professionals, share guidance, what to expect and what really helps.
|
“... they want to be able to be with their baby, hold their baby; they don't want to be in a bed feeling terrible. So, having that kind of support is really important.”
— Karin Fox M.D., M.ED., FACOG, FAIUM | Co-author, Cesarean Delivery Rehab Protocol, Understanding Placenta Accreta Spectrum and Cesarean Recovery​