The results are in...

and MUSIC BIRTH still ROCKS! (But you already knew that, right?)

In the past 12 months:

67% of Music Birth moms delivered without any intervention
(The national epidural rate is between 80 and 90%)
(can't seem to find any reliable data on forcep/vacuum delivery rates...)

67% of moms going for VBACS were able to have vaginal deliveries
(vs. 12% nationally)

Only 17% of Music Birth Moms received pitocin
(vs. 47% nationally)

Only 1 Music Birth mom required a cesarean delivery.
(vs. 1 out of every 3 women)

This was a first for me, and it was rough. I have had class members need cesareans, but until last month, I had never had a doula client need one. I have never seen a mom so patient, determined, and long-suffering. I was moved by her strength, and impressed with her courage.
I wish it could have ended differently for her. But after being dilated to 7 cm (yes, I said SEVEN) for 35 hours (yes , said THIRTY-FIVE), we were running out of options. Hours of peaceful laboring quickly became chaotic and stressful.

As birthers, all we can do is prepare and do everything in our power to ensure a safe and healthy delivery. When that doesn't work, we know we need the intervention. There is a peace of mind that comes from knowing you did everything you could, and you did everything right. It's ok to get an intervention if you need it. Actually, it's a really good thing. But if you don't need it, it's not worth the risk. And I am thrilled to see that my clients continue to not receive interventions that they don't need.