Depressed (also: Jan Tritten/Midwifery Today)

DEPRESSED Prefatory note...

It was confirmed today that my second biologic son is out of my life
permanently - at least for years to come.

I am extremely depressed - perhaps doing the wrong thing as usual by posting
this - but hey - that's me....

Tiny babies are enduring far worse...

So I write...

QUESTION: Why aren't birth trauma attorneys telling juries the STARK FACT
that OBs are closing birth canals up to 30% and keeping birth canals closed
when babies get stuck - and lying about it...?

See Make birth better: Dan Rather, before you leave CBS...
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group...t/message/2983

LISA MUSCARELLA, you forgot to mention this stark fact in your press release
(reproduced below). It was probably an accidental omission - but you also
you also forgot something that is ALMOST as important - to me personally at
least. More on that below.

LISA WILL BE ON DR. PHIL - scheduled for Dec. 13 - see her Press Release
below....


JAN TRITTEN/MIDWIFERY TODAY

OPEN LETTER (archived for global access; see below)

Jan Tritten
Editor
Midwifery Today

Jan,

Thanks for your email (reproduced below with my responses).

Could you make sure that LISA MUSCARELLA gets to come to your March
Midwifery Today Conference in Eugene?

Her baby was paralyzed at birth (obstetric brachial plexus injury). Her
midwife reportedly closed her birth canal up to 30% (without telling her)
then told her after the birth that her son was paralyzed because her pelvis
was too small.

By asking publicly, I'm testing Lisa's theory (see below) that she won't be
able to attend if people think that she and I are "in cahoots."

I don't know any better way to test that theory than to publicly expose any
possible "cahoots."

I guess I'm being petty - but I'm finally speaking out today about being
ROBBED - not of money - but of CREDIT - for standing up and speaking out
about a massive ongoing obstetric crime:

OBs are closing birth canals up to 30% and KEEPING birth canals closed when
babies get stuck...

Jan, you robbed me of credit years ago - and Lisa robbed me of credit more
recently.

I think Lisa's robbery was accidental.

Jan, you not only robbed me of credit - you used your authority as a
nationally-known midwife and PROMOTED the birth-canal-closing/semisitting
position immediately after censoring my article on the subject.

Can you see why I might think about that every time I think of Lisa's
statement that her midwife closed her birth canal up to 30% (without telling
her) then told her that her son was paralyzed because her pelvis was too
small?

Jan, this is a MIDWIFERY EMERGENCY - and has been so since the early 90s
when you cancelled my full-length article on the
birth-canal-closing/semisitting delivery position - then PROMOTED
semisitting.

I still can't believe you did that, Jan.

I know, I know...

You aren't the only midwife promoting semisitting/closing the birth canal.

Yale CNMwifery Prof. Helen Varney ignored my pleas and not only promoted
semisitting - but also promoted keeping the birth canal closed when the baby
gets stuck...

See Midwifery Today abomination - CHIROPRACTIC censorship too...
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group...t/message/2985

Jan, thanks for writing.

Sincerely,

Todd

Dr. Gastaldo



JAN TRITTEN'S EMAIL TO ME...

Interspersions ######

----- Original Message -----
From: Jan Tritten
To: 'Todd Gastaldo'
Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2004 7:54 AM
Subject: An ex-doula ditz (also: Gaskin maneuver semisitting 'tip'?)


Todd, Let's quit battling each other and work together.



##### Jan, I thought we WERE working together until you cancelled my
full-length article on birth-canal-closing/semisitting delivery years ago
and PROMOTED semisitting as a "Midwifery Trick of the Trade."



#### I have waited YEARS for you to explain.



I know you are absolutely right about the baby coming through the birth
canal.



##### Yep - OBs are closing birth canals up to 30% and KEEPING birth canals
closed when babies get stuck - and lying about it...



See again: Make birth better: Dan Rather, before you leave CBS...
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group...t/message/2983



Lithotomy is the worse position and sitting on the babies head is damaging
as well.



##### Semisitting closes the birth canal with more force - and yes - sitting
on the baby's head is damaging - which is part of the reason I saw red when
I saw Jennifer Rosenberg defending the practice of moving the woman to
semisitting - apparently as part of Ina May's GASKIN maneuver.



Together we could spread the word about this issue much better than
separately. The work we do is after all about mothers and babies and not us.



LOVE jan



##### LOVE, Jan? **I** wanted to spread the word together... The work you
did in the early 90s - cancelling my article then PROMOTING
birth-canal-closing/semisitting delivery most certainly was NOT "all about
mothers and babies."



##### I think it was about YOU Jan. Maybe you were embarrassed to publish
my article because you had done semisitting deliveries? Maybe midwives you
know would have been embarrassed? I later learned that Ina May did
semisitting deliveries. WHAT happened? Why'd you censor me and promote
semisitting? Why?



#### You wrote:



Join us at a Midwifery Today Conference

Eugene, Oregon -March 17-23, 2005

Learn from Traditional Mexican Midwives



##### As indicated above, Jan, LISA MUSCARELLA a woman with a paralyzed baby
is apparently fearful that she will not be able to attend your March 17-23,
2005 Midwifery Today Conference.



##### Lisa thinks that if I mention her name - if I suggest that she and I
are "in cahoots" - she won't be able to register...



##### Here is what she wrote to me...



##### She too wrote in response to "An ex-doula ditz (also: Gaskin maneuver
semisitting 'tip'?)...



----- Original Message -----
From: Lisa
To: 'Todd Gastaldo'
Sent: Monday, December 06, 2004 11:25 AM
Subject: An ex-doula ditz (also: Gaskin maneuver semisitting 'tip'?)


You go Todd. I can only hope that someday those who have enormous influence
and power will use it to help future babies. This is all just so hard to
understand. So are they saying, YES, we know it is closing up the canal
significantly, but if the baby can come out then that is what mattered the
most? This makes no sense. Why would the baby come out of a closed canal
more effectively than an open one? Do they agree and admit that
semi-sitting closes the birthing canal or have they never clearly admitted
that? I guess Gaskin did by saying most mom's don't need the extra room.



Todd, please keep my name and forwards with my name on it far away from
these people. Also, my plans to attend in Oregon. I should have already
received some confirmation and I have not. I don't want to jeopardize my
attendance and I don't want to jeopardize having the chance to talk with
some of these people someday. As I have shared before, you and I may have
some of the same goals, but we may have different approaches. I don't want
to be judged prematurely or seen in cahoots with any particular person or
group of people. I just want to be me and I just want them to know me as
me, then they can judge me. I would really appreciate your support in this.



Thanks,

Lisa





###### Jan, could you personally see to it that this woman's registration
is processed?



##### Could you copy me when you do this so that I can be reassured that her
being in "cahoots" with me does not prevent her attendance?



##### As noted above, it was confirmed today that my second biologic son is
out of my life permanently - at least for years to come.



##### I am more depressed than I have been in years.



####### I don't have time to re-write what follows - I've spent too much of
my life on this project - I am tired...


----- Original Message -----
From: Lisa
To: ; Donna Young ; Kelly Moscarello
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 2004 2:43 PM
Subject: Why Todd?


Todd,

I know we have differing opinions about various things, and that is nothing
unusual, we are human. However, I REALLY don't appreciate getting emails
and questions from people about coming across links such as this.

##### WHAT were the questions you were asked? Did someone ask why you
forgot to state the nut of the issue?

I trusted you Todd.

##### I trusted YOU Lisa - and you screwed me out of even giving credit
where credit is due. **I** gathered the majority of those cites and you put
them out there publicly as if YOU had gathered them - AND YOU FORGOT TO
STATE THE NUT OF THE ISSUE - so *I* stated it - and now you are bitching at
me.

I have specifically asked for your support and understanding.

##### Likewise...

I want to contact who I want to contact...when and where. Why is it so
difficult to respect basic boundaries, especially when people so clearly ask
you for them.

##### YOU failed to respect simple courtesy and credit me with gathering all
those cites and holding your hand as you kept telling me the biomechanics
are hard to understand.

I did not by any means have to send that to you, but I chose to share it
with you.

##### Our dear Canadian friend Donna ("May [Lisa's] voice be heard around
the world") shared your PRESS RELEASE with Canadian news outlets and
politiicians - why don't you jump HER ****?

You made the decision that because I emailed that to two news contacts, that
I wanted to share it on the entire internet, where people are randomly
coming across it????

##### Did you swear the two news contacts to secrecy - LOL! You have NO
idea what they did/are doing with your press release. After Donna shared it
with the Canadians - I shared it on the usenet - with THE NUT OF THE ISSUE
since you forgot it.


##### Lisa, THINK ABOUT what you are saying about your PRESS RELEASE. I am
astonished that you just put everything out there as YOUR work - when most
of it was mine - and you filtered mention of me through Connie Banack's
quotes from Gardosi that were most likely elicited by MORE of my work!

IF that is what I wanted at this particular time, that is what I would have
done.

##### What you DID do was use another person's work in a PRESS RELEASE -
without giving credit - and - I say again - you filtered mention of me
through Connie Banack's quotes from Gardosi that were most likely elicited
by MORE of my work!


I have shared how important it is to this cause for you to be involved, and
for you to help educate and mentor mothers that care enough to fight this
fight.

##### YES - I took EXTRA time with you - you simply didn't get how SIMPLE
the biomechanics were - that was FINE - but then you turn around and share
my work PUBLICLY - did I mention - IN A PRESS RELEASE - without giving me
credit!

##### I do NOT get paid for this - ALL I can get is credit given where
credit is due - and you DENIED me that.

Why do you continue to make calls regarding other people's choices and other
people's words?

##### YOU made a call regarding my choice to spend my life researching this
issue! You gave this researcher the most egregious insult there is -
failing to mention who held your hand to help you understand this info and
the supporting cites as you put it in a PRESS RELEASE.


It just isn't right Todd. I just don't understand.

#### No it was NOT right - and now hopefully you understand - or maybe not -
but as with the biomechanics of semisitting - it is not as if I haven't
tried to HELP you understand...

I guess I should not have sent that to you. I thought I made it clear long
ago, that what I shared with you, I shared with you. You did not even ask
me if it was okay? That is basic respect Todd. Feeling very sad, Lisa
http://www.medkb.com/uwe/Forum.aspx/...hil-and-the-30

##### Lisa, you have got things ASS-BACKWARDS.

#### STOP doing me the "favor" of ignoring my contribution as you forget to
state THE NUT OF THE ISSUE.

#### Here's the nut of the issue AGAIN...

#### OBs are closing birth canals up to 30% and KEEPING birth canals closed
when babies get stuck - and lying about it.

See Make birth better: Dan Rather, before you leave CBS...
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group...t/message/2983

##### I think there are some little boys and girls running around out there
with paralyzed arms who did not need to be paralyzed. No - opening birth
canals the "extra" up to 30% won't prevent all cases of paralysis - but it
may prevent some - which I think was the thrust of your PRESS RELEASE.

##### I also think there are some little boys and girls NOT running around
out there - either because they senselessly died in childbirth - or suffered
severe cerebral palsy in part as a consequence of OBs closing birth canals
knowingly - not to mention knowingly asphyxiating babies temporarily to rob
massive amounts of blood from them...

##### My thanks, as usual, to Donna Young for calling my attention to the
immediate cord clamping OB felony - and to Kelly Moscarello for calling my
attention back to it after a paramedic aped his MD handlers and clamped
little Bella's cord....

##### Kelly Moscarello and Lisa Muscarella are two women with birth-injured
babies. Their names, coincidentally, are similar.

##### Here is Lisa's PRESS RELEASE - as it was circulated by Donna Young...

----- Original Message -----
From: Donna Young
To: Lisa
Cc: ; Todd Gastaldo ; Kelly Moscarello ; Cory Mermer ;
CBC Ombudsman ; Sounds Like Canada ; ;
; ; M HALIBURTON ; HARLEY HARASYM ; Carley
Sent: Wednesday, December 01, 2004 1:13 PM
Subject: this is excellant on child-birth position. Now write, please,
giving blood of babies to cord blood banks, how misguided it is, eh.


ONLY the mothers who have victimized babies, can speak out. Us grandmothers,
our part, is to encourage you to come forward. God's blessings. May your
voice be heard around the world.
Donna 1-250-782-9223

----- Original Message -----
From: Lisa
To: ; Donna Young ; Lisa Muscarella
Sent: Wednesday, December 01, 2004 10:11 AM
Subject: first attempt....az news channel


My first official attempt at a news release. Have no idea if I will hear a
word. If I scared them away with controversy or if I should have laid low
for a while, and just shared Dr. Phil and about injury and support, but not
get into route causes. Oh well.one will never know. I have no clue if this
is way too long or how to write these. Would love more time to read or take
class, so I don't feel like I am just a mother winging it. I only hope that
with this release or future releases that something breaks the news
someday...these babies deserve a voice and they deserve safe deliveries. I
really need to come up with a thorough and clean reference list. For now it
is hit and miss. Any input on how to better write these would always be
appreciated. Thanks, Lisa



ATTN: Assignment Desk



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 1, 2004



Contact: Lisa Muscarella

Home (928) 779-6354

Cell (928) 856-1513



ARIZONA MOTHER OF INJURED BABY ON DR. PHIL, AIRING DEC. 13th



On December 13th Dr. Phil will be airing a show on medical controversies and
how the injury to a child at birth can impact a family. My husband,
daughter, and I will all be on a segment of the show. Having an Arizona
family on the Dr. Phil show is exciting and interesting in itself,
especially considering the topic; however, there is much more to this story,
and there is clear potential to create an amazing news piece, which could be
highly provocative, interesting and informative.



The injury my son sustained at birth is called a brachial plexus injury. He
was a big baby, and during the time of delivery, after his head came out,
his shoulder became stuck, a phenomenon known as shoulder dystocia.
Shoulder dystocia can result in clavicle fractures, fracture of humerus,
brachial plexus injuries, fetal hypoxia (with or without permanent
neurologic damage, or even death. Although shoulder dystocia is fairly
common and something that all doctors find worrisome, some doctors and
midwives are not adequately trained or prepared to handle it the way they
should be, and they panic or overreact, applying excessive traction to the
baby's head and neck in an effort to dislodge the baby. This is tragic
because applying excessive traction to the baby's head is not one of the
maneuvers designed to release the baby, actually it is clearly
contraindicated, since pulling or turning the head can tear the nerves
coming from the baby's spinal cord.



Immediately after my son's birth his arm was completely limp, lifeless and
paralyzed due to the severe damage of the nerves (the brachial plexus
network of nerves) that come from the neck and down into the shoulder, arm,
elbow, wrist and hand. Through endless hours of daily therapy for years and
surgery, he has regained a lot of function, but has many limitations,
weakness, deformity of the shoulder joint, deformity of the elbow joint,
along with many other lifelong issues. We were fortunate enough to capture
our son's birth on video, sadly though, the hospital banned video tapping
births shortly thereafter.



Recoveries from this birth injury vary from child to child. Some children
have complete recovery in time, some have partial recovery and some have
limited if any recovery. This injury is known to be one of the most complex
injuries there is (next to spinal cord injuries) and it is often
misunderstood, especially in terms of its treatment and long-term
implication, which are numerous.



Large infants are certainly at risk for shoulder dystocia, but normal weight
infants may also suffer this complication. One of the most common risk
factors for shoulder dystocia is the use of a vacuum or forceps during
delivery. Brachial plexus injuries (also known as Erb's Palsy & Klumpke's)
occur much more frequently than people realize. This injury affects
approximately 12,000 babies each year in the United States. Brachial plexus
injuries are one of the most litigated, if not "the" most litigated of all
birth injuries. They occur in an estimated 2-4 per 1,000 births. More
newborns suffer birth-related brachial plexus injuries than Down's syndrome,
Muscular Dystrophy and Spina Bifida. This birth injury also occurs as
frequently as Cerebral Palsy, yet it is often swept under the rug and not
even mentioned in many prenatal books. Why? Perhaps because the medical
field continually minimizes the injury and does not acknowledge the possible
lifelong implications. Most of us are sent home from the hospital with our
babies paralyzed arm pinned to their shirt and told the baby should be fine
in a day or two. Perhaps it is because the cause of this preventable birth
injury lies in the very hands of the doctors and midwives who have
unnecessarily injured our babies. Perhaps it is because today's hospital
birthing positions often encourage moms to remain on their back or
semi-reclined when trying to push a baby out. These positions do not allow
sacro-iliac joint motion and they actually close the mothers birthing canals
by up to 30%, thus not allowing enough room for the baby to safely pass
through. If birthing mothers were not put on their backs in the first
place, there would be a lot fewer babies getting stuck, less injury, less
trauma to the baby and less trauma to mother's bodies as well.



Having your precious baby injured for life, before they even began their
life, is truly heartbreaking. But having your baby endure an unnecessary
and preventable lifelong birth injury is a true travesty and enough to make
any parent lose their mind. This injury requires relentless effort and
commitment on the family's part. Battles with insurance, enduring a
stressful litigation process, hours of daily home therapy performed by mom
and dad, financial stress, relationship stress, multiple weekly therapy
appointments outside of home, appointments across the nation to see bpi
specialists, surgery, etc., etc.



Having seen the impact on my family and so many others out there, I have
realized just how important support and an accurate source of information
are for families. I currently serve on the board of directors for the
United Brachial Plexus Network (www.ubpn.org). The United Brachial Plexus
Network (UBPN) is a registered non-profit 501(c)3 organization devoted to
providing information, support and leadership for families and those
concerned with brachial plexus injuries worldwide. In addition, I am also
the President of In-Reach, Arizona's brachial plexus injury support network,
which is composed of children and adults who have sustained brachial plexus
injuries. All of our gatherings are held in the Phoenix area. For
individuals and families dealing with this injury, support, information and
referrals to specialists are crucial.



All expecting parents should inform themselves regarding safe birthing and
prevention of unnecessary injury to the baby. I feel so bad and so guilty
that I was not informed. As a mother, you do everything in your power to
protect that little miracle growing inside of you for 9 months. It is
devastating when the health of a baby is taken away, when you as a mother,
could have done so much to protect your baby and ensure their safety during
delivery. It just hurts so deeply. I only wish I had known what I know now,
for I could have spared my precious baby from an unnecessary lifelong
injury. I could have also spared our family of the stress, grief and
heartache that this injury has brought to all of our lives.



We feel honored to have had the opportunity to meet Dr. Phil. I know I need
to put the pieces of my life back together and to find more balance in my
life. I know I need to let go of the guilt and anger, and I know I need to
be there more for my other child and husband as well. I will certainly take
his words and advice to heart. I know I cannot be consumed by this injury
in a negative way. I think by helping others inflicted with this injury and
by working towards birth injury awareness and prevention, that I can channel
my energies in a positive direction.



There is nothing more precious in this world than a newborn baby, and there
is nothing more important than the health of your baby. I believe there are
many people who would be very interested and could potentially benefit from
such a news story.



I have attached a few pictures of my son and below I have included some
information and links as well. If you would like further information, I
would be more than happy to provide additional sources and references.



Sincerely,

Lisa Muscarella



http://catalog.nucleusinc.com/genera...TL =16353&A=2
(illustrated diagram)

"The majority of brachial plexus injuries occur during birth, most often as
a result of significant force applied to an infant's head during delivery.
Larger babies, whose shoulders tend to be wider, can have difficulty passing
through the birth canal, and they are at higher risk of injury to the
plexus."
http://www.texaschildrenshospital.co...anding_BP.aspx

www.ubpn.org United Brachial Plexus Network website

"Five Reasons Not to Birth on Your Back: It will hurt mother. It can harm
baby. Labor slows. Episiotomy or tears more likely. It makes no sense."
Sears, W. & Sears, M. (1994) The Birth Book. p. 186. Boston: Little,
Brown and Company.

"Semi-sitting and lithotomy pushing positions can also result in another
serious problem of shoulder dystocia. Dr. Jason Gardosi MD FRCS MRCOG from
the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham, UK explains, "The
anterio-posterior (outlet) diameter is reduced in recumbent (semi-sitting)
and lithotomy positions where the weight is taken on the sacrum. The sacrum
is capable of rotational movement through an axis at the upper part of the
sacro-iliac joint." He goes on to add, "Many so called 'shoulder dystocias'
are just difficult deliveries caused by a recumbent position. Apart from the
sacrum being pushed upward, reducing the AP diameter, it is difficult to
allow lateral flexion when the presenting shoulder abuts on the mattress."
Dr. Todd Gastaldo adds, "And when the shoulders get REALLY stuck, MDs pull
REALLY hard."
http://www.storknet.com/cubbies/chil...gpositions.htm

"If possible, try to find a pushing position that doesn't attempt to defy
gravity. Instead, use gravity to your advantage by kneeling, squatting, or
sitting up with your legs and knees spread far apart." Ford-Martion, P.
2003. The Everything Pregnancy Book. p. 260. Avon: Adams Media
Corporation.

"When shoulder dystocia occurs, all available personnel should be summoned
to the room, then the mother's thighs are hyperflexed to increase the
diameter of the pelvic outlet." Beers, M. & Berkow, R. (1999) The Merck
Manual, 7th edition, p. 2065, Witehouse Station: Merck Research
Labortatoires. (it is most unfortunate that they are actually closing birth
canals to begin with and then trying to open them after there is a problem
and danger presented to the baby)

Borell, U. & Fernstrom, I. 1957. "The mechanism of labour." Radiol Clin
North Am. Apr;5(1):73-85.

Borell, U. & Fernstrom, I. 1957. "A pelvimetric method for the assessment
of pelvic mouldability." Acta Radiol. 1957 May;47(5):365-70.

Borell, U. & Fernstrom, I. 1957. "Shape and course of the birth canal; a
radiographic study in the human." Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand.
1957;36(2):166-78.

Borrell, U. & Fernstrom, I. 1957. "The movements at the sacro-iliac joints
and their importance to changes in the pelvic dimensions during parturtion."
Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 1957;36(1):42-57.

Caldeyro-Barcia, 1979 "The Influence of Maternal Position on Time of
Spontaneous Rupture of the Membranes, Progress of Labour and Fetal Head
Compression," Birth and the Family Journal 6, no. 1 (Spring);7-15; I.N.

Diehl, J. & Fernstrom, I. 1966. "Radiologic pelvimetry with special
reference to widest transverse diameter of pelvic inlet." Acta Radiol Diagn
(Stockh). Sep;4(5):557-68.

Gardosi, J., et al. 1989. "Randomized Controlled Trial of Squatting in the
Second Stage of Labor." Lancet 74-77 (July 8)

McKay, S. 1984. "Squatting: An Alternative Position for the Second Stage
of Labor." Maternal Child Nursing 9:181-83.

Ohlsen, H. "Moulding of the pelvis during labour." Acta Radiol Diagn
(Stockh). 1973 Jul; 14(4):417-34

Roberts, J., et al. 1983. "The Effects of Maternal Position on Uterine
Contractility and Efficiency." Birth 10 (4):243-49

Russell, J.G. B. 1969. "Moulding of the Pelvic Outlet." J. Obstet. Gynaec.
Brit. Cwlth. 76:817-20

Weisl, H. 1955. "The movements of the sacroiliac joint." Acta Anat
(Basel). 23(1):80-91.

"Labour Among Primitive Peoples" written in 1883 by Dr. G. J. Englemann who
studied the various birthing positions around the world. He found that
"upright positions always predominate.



"Active Birth" by Janet Balaskas

".. Certain principles of physics apply to childbirth, and these are opposed
when a woman gives birth lying down." P. 12

"The benefits of squatting were radiographically confirmed in the 1930's,
when it was shown that the cross-sectional surface area of the birth canal
may increase by as much as 30 percent when a woman changes from lying down
on her back to the squatting position. And it is nearly thirty years since
Scott and Kerr demonstrated the disadvantages of having the weight of a
full-term pregnant uterus pressing down on the back. When the woman lies
supine, the weight of the contracting uterus reduces the placental blood
flow by compressing the large artery of the heart (the descending aorta) and
the large veins leading to the heart (inferior vena cava.) This is a
clinical fact that should not be ignored by anyone involved with
childbirth." P. 12

"As long as the mother is upright for the birth, the pelvic joints are free
to expand, move, and adjust to the shape of the baby's descending head.
When the mother squats, the sacrum is free to move, allowing the
anterior-interior diameter of the pelvic outlet to widen by as much as 30
percent more that it would if the mother's weight were resting directly on
it - that is, if she were semireclining. The sacrococcygeal joint, the
joint between the sacrum and the coccyx or tailbone, also softens in
pregnancy; it is designed to swivel backwards to widen the outlet of the
pelvis as the baby emerges. Of course, this is impossible if the mother is
sitting on her coccyx." P. 15



"In the semisitting position the mother's weight rests on her coccyx and the
pelvic capacity is reduced." P. 15


"In the semireclining position the sacrum is immobile and the pelvic outlet
narrows." P. 15



In reference to your pelvis while squatting.. "It is open at its widest in
this position, and your sacrum and coccyx are free to move if your child is
passing through your pelvic outlet." P. 138



"Your coccyx is designed to move out of the way as your baby's head
descends. Sitting on your coccyx during birth restricts the pelvic outlet
and can also lead to dislocation of the coccyx, which can be extremely
painful for months after the birth." P. 139

END Lisa Muscarella's press release as circulated by Donna Young...

Here is what I added...

Dr. Phil and the 30%

I forgot to mention: I hope Dr. Phil doesn't edit out Lisa's mention of the
30%...

Donna,

I, too, am pleased to see Lisa Muscarella speaking out.

It is quite false though to say that only mothers whose babies have been
victimized can speak out.

We ALL have an obligation to speak out when wrongs are being committed
against helpless persons.

Mothers should not have to ASK obstetricians (or midwives) for the "extra"
up to 30% of room in the birth canal.

Todd

Dr. Gastaldo


PS Lisa, you expressed only part of my sentiment in response to the Merck
Manual admission.

It is important to clearly state that OBs are closing birth canals up to 30%
then KEEPING birth canals closed when babies get stuck.

OBs are actually LYING in a lame attempt to cover-up.

See Make birth better: Dan Rather, before you leave CBS...
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group...t/message/2983

END what Todd added to Lisa's PRESS RELEASE...




A FEW LAST NOTES...

Sorry to whine publicly - but I feel better - not so depressed as I was
earlier today.

I did this to myself - no one else - and some might be pleased at my
depression - my public whining at my misfortune. Yep - it's my misfortune -
but I participated. I did it.

I am going to miss my son - like I miss my first biologic son.

Love,

Todd

I'm sorry for your loss, Todd. If "whining" here lifts your spirits, feel
free. :-)


Leslie

Emily (2/4/91)
Jake (1/27/94)
Teddy (2/15/95)
William (3/5/01 -- VBA3C, 13 lbs. 5 oz.)
Lorelei (11/10/04 -- another VBAC)

"Children come trailing clouds of glory from God, which is their home."
~ William Wordsworth

Thanks Leslie.

I did feel better after.

Todd

"Leslie" wrote in message
...
I'm sorry for your loss, Todd. If "whining" here lifts your spirits, feel
free. :-)


Leslie

Emily (2/4/91)
Jake (1/27/94)
Teddy (2/15/95)
William (3/5/01 -- VBA3C, 13 lbs. 5 oz.)
Lorelei (11/10/04 -- another VBAC)

"Children come trailing clouds of glory from God, which is their home."
~ William Wordsworth

(((Todd)))
I'm sorry to hear about your son.

--
Amy,
Mum to Carlos born sleeping 20/11/02,
& Ana born screaming 30/06/04
email: barton . souto @ clear . net . nz (join the dots!)
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/c/carlos2002/


"Todd Gastaldo" wrote in message
nk.net...

DEPRESSED Prefatory note...

It was confirmed today that my second biologic son is out of my life
permanently - at least for years to come.

I am extremely depressed - perhaps doing the wrong thing as usual by
posting this - but hey - that's me....

Thanks Amy.

I haven't been the best father.

Todd

"Mum of Two" wrote in message
...
(((Todd)))
I'm sorry to hear about your son.

--
Amy,
Mum to Carlos born sleeping 20/11/02,
& Ana born screaming 30/06/04
email: barton . souto @ clear . net . nz (join the dots!)
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/c/carlos2002/


"Todd Gastaldo" wrote in message
nk.net...

DEPRESSED Prefatory note...

It was confirmed today that my second biologic son is out of my life
permanently - at least for years to come.

I am extremely depressed - perhaps doing the wrong thing as usual by
posting this - but hey - that's me....

Well, you can admit it so that's a start. Maybe you're a late starter - none
of us are perfect. There are tons of times I've thought I've screwed Ana up
for life, and she's only 5.5 months old (!)
If only children were like Magna Doodles and we could wipe them clean every
time we make a mistake...
How old is your son? At about 17 I swore off talking to my mother
again...she's now one of my best friends. FWIW, she wasn't a bad mother, I
was a hormonal teen!
I hope things improve between you and your son.

--
Amy,
Mum to Carlos born sleeping 20/11/02,
& Ana born screaming 30/06/04
email: barton . souto @ clear . net . nz (join the dots!)
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/c/carlos2002/


"Todd Gastaldo" wrote in message
nk.net...
Thanks Amy.

I haven't been the best father.

Todd

"Mum of Two" wrote in message
...
(((Todd)))
I'm sorry to hear about your son.

--
Amy,
Mum to Carlos born sleeping 20/11/02,
& Ana born screaming 30/06/04
email: barton . souto @ clear . net . nz (join the dots!)
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/c/carlos2002/


"Todd Gastaldo" wrote in message
nk.net...

DEPRESSED Prefatory note...

It was confirmed today that my second biologic son is out of my life
permanently - at least for years to come.

I am extremely depressed - perhaps doing the wrong thing as usual by
posting this - but hey - that's me....

On Fri, 10 Dec 2004 02:04:42 GMT, "Todd Gastaldo"
wrote:

A FEW LAST NOTES...

Sorry to whine publicly - but I feel better - not so depressed as I was
earlier today.

It isn't whining. It is venting. You wanted to get your side out
there. I am glad that you are feeling better.

I am going to miss my son - like I miss my first biologic son.

I am not sure what this means, but if you lost your son, my deepest
sympathies.

--
Daye
Mommy to:
DD - age 3
DS - under 1

"Daye" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 10 Dec 2004 02:04:42 GMT, "Todd Gastaldo"
wrote:

A FEW LAST NOTES...

Sorry to whine publicly - but I feel better - not so depressed as I was
earlier today.

It isn't whining. It is venting. You wanted to get your side out
there. I am glad that you are feeling better.

Thanks Daye.


I am going to miss my son - like I miss my first biologic son.

I am not sure what this means, but if you lost your son, my deepest
sympathies.

Relationship lost - he's very much alive and kicking - much smarter than his
dad (but that's not saying much I am sure some people will remark - LOL!)

Again Daye, thanks.

Sorry for the delay in responding.

Todd