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iCare Course
Developed by Breck Hawk, RN and Midwife based on her book,
Hey! Who's Having this Baby Anyway?
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The iCare Course is divided into 5 parts.
There are handouts for each class
- Part One _ Patient's Bill of Rights
This section covers the rights patients have in the hospital and in a home birth situation. We'll cover the rights of mom and her baby, and all the things they are allowed to know about: their medical records, rights to refuse treatments, the right to help manage their pain, etc. We'll cover the woman's rights if she decides to have her baby at home, and most of all the responsibilities of the parents if they are choosing to have their baby at home. We will also touch on nutrition and pregnancy. - Part Two _ Hiring the Help
This section covers hiring the birth team, or changing the providers you have hired if you aren't satisfied. The class discusses the different types of providers including physicians, midwives, doulas as well as finding a pediatrician. We will discuss interview questions to make sure the provider that you hire is a good match for you. - Part Three _ Medications in Labor
Medications in labor have become so much the norm, that parents aren't aware of the potentially side effects not only on the baby, but the whole laboring process. We will discuss the medications that are most commonly used in labor and about unnecessary medical interventions. We will discuss the complications, insertion and management of epidurals, and the use of any narcotics. We will discuss Pitocin and Cytotec, and why we strongly caution its use. The focus of this class is to help you make educated choices. - Part Four _ Herbs in Pregnancy and Complementary Methods of Labor Management
In this section we'll discuss herbs and how they will help with common discomforts of pregnancy like morning sickness, heartburn, and stretch marks. We'll discuss options to labor management like using HypnoBirthing®, Lamaze, Bradley, ICEA, Yoga, Reflexology and Acupuncture. - Part Five _ Birth Plans and Breastfeeding
We'll discuss how to make your birth plan work, and what you need to do so it's not placed at the back of your chart at the hospital. We will give a brief outline, and give you an idea about what you may want to ask for. The last part of the class is about breastfeeding. We will discuss the importance of breastfeeding, how to tell if a baby is well latched on, how to increase your milk supply, and how Daddy can be involved. - Slow down or even stop labor
- Increase the need for oxytocin to stimulate contractions
- Lead to a cesarean birth, especially for first_time moms
- Cause maternal fever, which can result in a septic workup or antibiotic treatments for the baby and a long nursery stay
- Cause significantly decreased heart rate in the baby and affect the baby's oxygenation prior to birth...which can interfere with breastfeeding
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should take this course? Women who are thinking of getting pregnant or who are pregnant.
What is the purpose of this course? To inform women about their rights and options in childbirth, so they can make wise educated decisions that will help them have a safe and successful birth. The iCare course is not to replace, but complements existing childbirth classes such as HypnoBirthing or Lamaze or Bradley.
Where are the classes held? The iCare course is not offered in many areas yet. Because of the importance of this information, it is being offered as a live teleseminar course that you can participate fully in the convenience of your own home no matter what state or country you live in.
How do I register for the course? On the calendar page you will find registration, course dates and times. Once registered you will receive the class handouts in a zip file the day before class begins. You will need Adobe to open files. All handouts are pdf files and will be sent via the email you have provided when registering. Register for your iCare Course today, and be on your way to a safer, richer birth experience. (Register Now button here)
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Why do I need the iCARE Course?
Providers are ordering Pitocin 81% of the time.
Pitocin is commonly used in hospitals throughout the country to augment normal labors. 81% of the women who gave birth in hospitals received Pitocin. And yet Pitocin is NOT approved by the FDA for augmenting labor.
Providers are ordering cesarean sections at the rate of 27.6%, almost 3 times the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended level.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) states that the cesarean rate for the United States is currently 27.6% (up from 5% in the 1970s). Of these 27 cesareans per 100 laboring women, 9:10 are medically necessary (the WHO recommended rate) and 5:6 are requested by the mom. This leaves 10:11 unnecessary cesareans that are provider_initiated for no other reason than personal convenience or pressure from the hospital to increase revenue.
Providers are prescribing epidurals for 3 out of every 4 births.
Epidurals have been shown to:
No studies have shown that any of this is safer for the mother or the baby...in fact,
just the opposite.