DOR : MANA stats

So this is a hot topic of sorts.

I want to know your views on the MANA stats project.

The Midwives Alliance's Statistics Project (MANAstats) collects data on birth and associated perinatal care and outcomes, focusing on out-of-hospital births attended by midwives. This data set is intended to support research on midwifery practice and normal birth with the goal of improving care of women and babies and increasing the choices available to childbearing families.

The project, in essence is attempting to compile a large database of midwifery outcomes.

There are several fundamental flaws I see initially in the reporting:

• First, where are the checks and balances? What are the controls in place to verify the accuracy of what is being reported?
• It is great that we can have provide our clients with our personal statistics and to see how we are practicing, but I am not certain how easily our outcomes can be manipulated. I realise that this is a difficult issue, as it is fairly accusatory and perhaps pessimistic. Not having faith in thy sister midwife to report honestly. But the question must be raised.  

• Secondly, why is this information not made public? In order to gain access to the entire database, you must first, be a researcher, submit a research proposal (that must be approved) and then pay $50 to gain access to the stats.
• I see this as a significant issue. Why the need privacy and control over access? Is it for protection? Is it to prevent any anti-midwifery studies using "our" stats? Shouldn't our data speak for itself, and if there are problems, should they not be free and open to criticism so that we can better our trade? 

These are just a few of the glaring incongruities of this project with the concept of statistics.

I would like to start an open discussion on this topic.

Are you as a midwife or student midwife contributing to this database?
Are you gaining any benefits?
Do you support this collection?
Do you think its beneficial?
Do you agree with my criticisms?

Just a list of possible questions to respond to.

Placenta Liberation Front

I'm getting excited.

I'm home from school in a few days and this past week has flown by.

Today we spent the day in "Heidi's Kitchen" cooking up a fierce meal. Filled with popovers and smoothies,  pilaf and greens, tempeh and tofu, thai peanut and coconut sauce followed with pumpkin and blueberry pies! oh my! pretty wonderful.

I'm looking forward to getting back home though.

I'm inspired for my student group, filled with ideas. Excited to see our clients and the upcoming births. Meet new babies and new families. I have ideas that I hope Shell and Mani are open to (hint hint) and i'm anxious to get back to my garden and rabbits :)

One of the events I am most looking forward to is attending Shell's Placenta Liberation Front class.
If you haven't heard about it, check out her blog and try and get into what is sure to be more classes.

I have been privileged to have learned from Shell first hand and over the past 18 months have encapsulated about a dozen placentas for new mothers.

I find this practice or craft an art, a meditation.

Although there has been little to no quantifiable studies conducted on the benefits of placentophagy on postpartum mood disorders and healing, the anecdotal evidence I have seen myself is overwhelming.

Encapsulating placenta is so much more than processing an organ into a powder and pill. You are taking a vital and life giving organ and infusing it with love and energy.

How I have learned from Shell until now, has been very organic and fluid. Osmosis-like.  I'm looking forward to hearing what more she has to say, from beginning to end. You can never learn too much.

I'm also looking forward to meeting new placenta crafters.

I think it is beautiful that so many women will have the opportunity to learn and that so many more will have the benefit of their placenta gifted to them.


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OK off to study for a quiz tomorrow and prepare for my NNR class!


 xoxo

7:40am

I should be sleeping, eating, making my morning coffee, studying, or going to buy paint...anything but writing.

The last few months have reformatted my being. I've hit the restart and am currently reloaded. I think we have all the programs loaded now.

School has been going really well. I did really good in my first semester and have made it through A&P and the intro classes. Now the info gets juicier.

This last break between sessions has been a revolving door of visitors for me. First reuniting with Gav, then my parents and now my sister. I go back to school in just under three weeks.. so will have to focus.

Currently I have been obsessing over Eats on Feets. Shell's project that manifested into something amazingly large. I have been working with another women (and many others) to write the most comprehensive informed choice document on milk sharing.in the last two weeks I probably spent over 150hrs on this....and not on school.

All this with births and prenatals, belly casts and placenta encapsulation, and putting the finishing touches on the birth centre, that is absolutely gorgeous (hence needing to go purchase paint).

the great thing about working on this document is that it has allowed me to polish up on my research skills. I feel a bit more in touch with my educational being.

Really trying to balance things and not get caught in a trap though. Still have a lot of things finish up for school. Time with Gav was great. We toured all over AZ, did lots of hiking, cycling and exploring. It was really sweet and provided a wee holiday...but I am missing him and trying to find THAT balance now and peace in our distance.. which is a struggle. You'd think i wasn't busy enough.. but no matter how busy i am i can't forget my love.


Life is good and sweet.

p.s. visitors are always welcome in my come. extended periods allowed...all i ask is you provide meals. my sister made a divine stew last night.

xoxo