other types of oxygen

[mommyshanti]

Any midwives that do not use/bring oxygen with them?
I asked my midwife she said she did not use it used something else that has been studied to be just as effective but I forgot what it was called?
reasons for this?
Of course I will bring it up later just wanted to hear some other imput.
She has had her own practice for over 10 years and is highly recommened so I have trust in her just trying to get a little more educated on it myself.
Thanks

[nashvillemidwife]

Perhaps she's talking about using regular resuscitation equipment (ambubag) without oxygen - resuscitating using plain room air? There are not "types" of oxygen.

[ThreeBeans]

Originally Posted by mommyshanti

Any midwives that do not use/bring oxygen with them?
I asked my midwife she said she did not use it used something else that has been studied to be just as effective but I forgot what it was called?
reasons for this?
Of course I will bring it up later just wanted to hear some other imput.
She has had her own practice for over 10 years and is highly recommened so I have trust in her just trying to get a little more educated on it myself.
Thanks

There's no such thing as another 'type' of oxygen. There is also nothing that is more appropriate for a mother in respiratory distress. That statement, plus the fact that she doesn't carry oxygen, would greatly concern me.

[mommyshanti]

Originally Posted by nashvillemidwife

Perhaps she's talking about using regular resuscitation equipment (ambubag) without oxygen - resuscitating using plain room air? There are not "types" of oxygen.

I know their are not other types of oxygen but just measnt things to use in it's place
I'll have to look up the room air am not understanding how that works also someone else stated they would be concerned that she did not carry oxygen would you?
her transfer rate is 5% which I hear is average.
She was a RN for a long time but chose homebirth instead of cnm which I love and talked with her about that and also has her own practice for over 10 years so I guess I need to ask why she doesnt carry it.
Any suggestions how to ask or what to ask to get an accurate understanding of process ?risks?
Thanks

[mommyshanti]

Originally Posted by mommyshanti

I know their are not other types of oxygen but just measnt things to use in it's place
I'll have to look up the room air am not understanding how that works also someone else stated they would be concerned that she did not carry oxygen would you?
her transfer rate is 5% which I hear is average.
She was a RN for a long time but chose homebirth instead of cnm which I love and talked with her about that and also has her own practice for over 10 years so I guess I need to ask why she doesnt carry it.
Any suggestions how to ask or what to ask to get an accurate understanding of process ?risks?
Thanks

I looked up using room air and it seems it might be a great debate between midwives. I am not one nor a medical professional but it seems they have been doing some studies on this for some time in some research finding that room air does work as well as oxygen and what are the affects of oxygen. Interesting learn something new everyday

[nashvillemidwife]

I don't think that oxygen is necessary for resuscitation. However, there are other times that it may be beneficial. I have heard mixed reviews on whether or not giving mom O2 in labor will help a distressed fetus, but it can't hurt. There are times when the baby can be slow to pink up that running a little oxygen past his nose might help. Are there legal restrictions on her ability to purchase or administer oxygen? That would be a consideration.

[mommyshanti]

Originally Posted by nashvillemidwife

I don't think that oxygen is necessary for resuscitation. However, there are other times that it may be beneficial. I have heard mixed reviews on whether or not giving mom O2 in labor will help a distressed fetus, but it can't hurt. There are times when the baby can be slow to pink up that running a little oxygen past his nose might help. Are there legal restrictions on her ability to purchase or administer oxygen? That would be a consideration.

I am just finding out I think their is we are in Va. and it states their not allowed to administer medications???
Just another restriction to put on them they had to fight long to get licensed here in 2005 so this may be the problem
http://cfmidwifery.org/pdf/newslette...summer2005.pdf

[nashvillemidwife]

Right, midwives in Virginia are not licensed to administer pharmaceuticals, which includes oxygen.

I'm still very interested to know what this alternative to oxygen is that the midwife carries. Exactly what did she say?

[cathicog]

Originally Posted by mommyshanti

I am just finding out I think their is we are in Va. and it states their not allowed to administer medications???
Just another restriction to put on them they had to fight long to get licensed here in 2005 so this may be the problem
http://cfmidwifery.org/pdf/newslette...summer2005.pdf

No wonder. Midwives in VA are not allowed to carry or administer O2, Pitocin, Methergine, Lidocaine, or Rhogam. It is dumb, cuz to work with one arm tied behind your back, is difficult enough. Being able to use any of the above, would help avoid the transfers that are made, in some cases.. I hope they change the statute. I always explained in detail to the VA clients I had, that we couldn't carry or administer, and they were fine with that. Fortunately, I never needed any of them, but then again, I didn't have many hb clients. Most were either UC, or doula....I am curious, what part of VA are you near? I lived in Roanoke, Blackstone, Clarksville, Chase City, South Hill, Jetersville, Lawrenceville, Crewe and Petersburg...

[wendy1221]

It's illegal for midwives here to carry oxygen and pitocin, but mine does anyway. She'd rather be charged w/ practicing medicine w/out a license than have a mom or baby die when she could have prevented it w/ such simple tools. THat's what she told me anyway. I'm cool w/ that.

[mommyshanti]

Originally Posted by cathicog

No wonder. Midwives in VA are not allowed to carry or administer O2, Pitocin, Methergine, Lidocaine, or Rhogam. It is dumb, cuz to work with one arm tied behind your back, is difficult enough. Being able to use any of the above, would help avoid the transfers that are made, in some cases.. I hope they change the statute. I always explained in detail to the VA clients I had, that we couldn't carry or administer, and they were fine with that. Fortunately, I never needed any of them, but then again, I didn't have many hb clients. Most were either UC, or doula....I am curious, what part of VA are you near? I lived in Roanoke, Blackstone, Clarksville, Chase City, South Hill, Jetersville, Lawrenceville, Crewe and Petersburg...

Yes I do find this ridiculous it's like they granted them a lincense with the intent to fail and need doctors for things that could be solved with some tools of course. I know pit is sometimes used to help a mother stop bleeding, adn of course oxygen I don't know what the others are for. I live in Fredericksburg/Spotsylvania area am only 7 miles from a hospital and am ok with this. But it's very upsetting this state of affairs. Moved here from Wa. and this is not the case with midwives their. God I miss my free west coast people originally from sunny San Diego haha

[mommyshanti]

Originally Posted by nashvillemidwife

Right, midwives in Virginia are not licensed to administer pharmaceuticals, which includes oxygen.

I'm still very interested to know what this alternative to oxygen is that the midwife carries. Exactly what did she say?

You guys are right it is ROOM AIR
it is because of standards here in Va. She has practiced here for 5 years,10 in Wa. and has not used it or needed it here in the 5 years. She said she has not needed to resuccitate a baby in the 5 years but that when needed a lil extra air the ambu bag and a couple puffs of room air have worked. Of course I am not exacting her words but this is the gist. This was over email so of course at our appt. I will talk with her how she thinks this affects her, me, and what she does in situations without the use of "medications"?
Shes also a naturopathic !! maybe that helps

[tinyshoes]

room air might be used in the hospital, too:

http://tropej.oxfordjournals.org/cgi...tract/fmh086v1

Resuscitation of a newborn baby with room air instead of the current practice of 100 per cent oxygen does not confer a benefit in terms of reduced HIE and/or mortality. Significantly, there is no increase in adverse outcome with the use of room air, which can be recommended for resuscitation if oxygen is not available.

and from the 2005 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (the people who litereally wrote the book on neonatal resuscitation)
http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/cont...4_suppl/IV-188

If the clinician begins resuscitation with room air, it is recommended that supplementary oxygen be available to use if there is no appreciable improvement within 90 seconds after birth. In situations where supplementary oxygen is not readily available, positive-pressure ventilation should be administered with room air

So it's not just homebirth midwives w/o an oxygen tank that might choose/use room air. (BTW sometimes 'room air' is also called 21% oxygen)

HTH

[mommyshanti]

Originally Posted by tinyshoes

room air might be used in the hospital, too:

http://tropej.oxfordjournals.org/cgi...tract/fmh086v1


and from the 2005 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (the people who litereally wrote the book on neonatal resuscitation)
http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/cont...4_suppl/IV-188


So it's not just homebirth midwives w/o an oxygen tank that might choose/use room air. (BTW sometimes 'room air' is also called 21% oxygen)

HTH

thanks for this info omakes me feel better and I have been looking it up also