ABSTRACTS OF FEATURE ARTICLES

Genetic Testing Technology
by Robert Baumiller and Maurice Mueller
Current methods of genetic testing in pregnancy are described in this article. Factors to consider when balancing the degree of risk caused by the test itself with the probability of an adverse outcome are discussed. A description of sonography, amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling, the multiple marker screening test, and pericutaneous umbilical blood sampling is included.

Working With Technology: A Birth Story
by Judy O'Connor
This personal account details the pregnancy of the author's daughter, Ann, who developed pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), and the birth of her grandson, Grant. It describes how Ann and the author applied ICEA's philosophy of freedom of choice based on knowledge of alternatives to her birth experience. It includes a description of the technology used during the pregnancy, labor, and birth and the various coping skills employed during the labor.

Modern Pharmacologic Methods in Labor Analgesia
by Curt Pitter and Roanne Preston
The pharmacologic methods employed to control the pain of labor are numerous and rapidly expanding in number. Techniques such as inhaled nitrous oxide and systemic opioids have been around for many years and still enjoy widespread use. Epidural analgesia is still the most common form of analgesia requiring the assistance of an anesthesiologist, but in recent years, new incarnations of this method have evolved. The combined spinal-epidural, the patient-controlled epidural, and the "walking epidural" all form important parts of our array of pain control therapies. Each technique has advantages and disadvantages which should be understood in order to provide safe and effective pain relief for patients during labor.

Fetal Oxygen Saturation Monitoring
by Carol A. Loucks
The high rate of cesarean deliveries in the United States has been of great social and medical concern for several years. The author describes a method to measure fetal oxygen saturation during labor which shows great promise for contributing to a reduction in the cesarean delivery rate. She reports on a study comparing standard fetal heart rate monitoring (FHR) during labor to FHR monitoring plus oxygen satuation monitoring.

Pregnancy and Labor Support for the High-Risk Woman
by Caroline Brown
The author explains the role of the doula in the care of the high-risk woman. She describes pregnancy support strategies and lists suggestions for diversional activities for the woman and her family. She discusses the importance of education during pregnancy and suggests labor support strategies. High-risk pregnancy resources for professionals and parents are also included.
To download and view this article (in pdf format), click here.

Angie's Birth Story
by Shelly Hawk and Angela Bauer
This article describes a woman's battle with laryngeal cancer, including her undergoing a total laryngectomy (the removal of the voice box and relocation of the windpipe to the base of the neck, also known as stoma). It then follows her and her husband through their pregnancy as they work with the author during childbirth classes to determine a breathing technique that would best suit the woman because of her stoma. The labor and birth are detailed in the hope that this will help educate all childbirth educators and labor supporters about assisting a client with a stoma through a very normal, happy, and miraculous event in their life.

COLUMNS

Healthy Lifestyles
by Ana Lopez-Dawson
A View to Behold: The right of the family to decide about the use of technology for pregnancy, labor, and birth

Nutrition News
by Dvorka Monti and Lisa Kehler
Functional Foods

Information Update
by Ann Behnke
Wax, J. R., J. Guilbert, J. Mather, C. Chen, D. Royer, J. D. Steinfeld, and C. J. Ingardia. 2000. Efficacy of community-based second trimester genetic ultrasonography in detecting the chromosomally abnormal fetus. Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine 19: 689-694.
Wolman, I., A. Groutz, I. Gull, D. Gordon, E. Geva, J. B. Lessing, and A. J. Jaffa. 2000. Is amniotic fluid volume influenced by a 24-hour fast? Journal of Reproductive Medicine 45, 8: 685-687.

Political Issues
by Naomi Bromberg Bar-Yam
Bed Rest: Medical Solution to a Social Problem

Resources
by Linda Uhrich
Technology

International Focus
by Susan Elliott
Technology

Statistics
by Dale E. King
Medical Costs and Very Low Birth Weight Infants

Audio Visual Review
by Margery Simchak
Tried and True: A Collection of Labor Techniques