• a list of 4 doctors who “are responsible for suspending Dr. Biter”
• how one of these doctors, as well as the head of OB at Scripps, will benefit financially from Dr. Biter’s suspension
• a summary of a meeting between 5 pregnant moms, 2 husbands,  Carol Yeh-Garner, the Scripps Chief of Staff Dr. MacCormick, the  COO, the Chief Executive RN & a HR representative.

So, a little more information has come to light.

There were 2 emergency staff meetings called earlier in the day at Scripps Encinitas. Usually these meetings are held when there is a big case of something going wrong–like a wrongful death. The meetings were held to discuss “the recent events concerning a staff member”. From what I’ve heard from staff that were present at the meetings, nothing was discussed other than the issue is a confidential matter.

It came to my attention late last night from someone that there are 4 doctors that are on a medical board of the hospital that are responsible for suspending Dr. Biter. They are:

Dr. Ronald MacCormick, Chief of Staff
354 Santa Fe Dr. Encinitas, CA 92024
760-633-6807 fax 760-633-6807

Dr. James La Belle, Internal Medicine
354 Santa Fe Dr, Encinitas, CA 92024
760-633-7686

Dr. Thomas Chippendale, Neurology
320 Santa Fe Dr Ste 101 Encinitas, CA 92024
760-942-1390

Dr. Michael Lobatz, Neurology
320 Santa Fe Dr. Ste 108 Encinitas, CA 92024
760-942-1390

Please send letters to these people since they are the ones that have decided to suspend Dr. Biter. With this public outcry, they need to reinstate him immediately. They need to know that it’s not their call, that it’s our call & we are demanding to have Dr. Biter & that they can’t bully him or us. This bullying won’t be tolerated. Thank you for all of the letters you are writing! My email box has been inundated with letters. If you sent me a letter & asked me a question or wrote me something, I want you to know that I haven’t even opened them yet. I’ve been so busy. So if you have an important question or issue, please email me & let me know. Thanks for understanding.

It is also interesting that Dr. MacCormick (& Dr. Fenton–Head of OB) will make money off of Dr. Biter’s suspension IF moms in labor come into Scripps Encinitas & use the hospitalists (on-call OBs) because guess who owns the hospitalist company? Dr. MacCormick! Isn’t that a conflict of interest?

A group of 5 pregnant moms, 2 husbands & I went at 3 pm yesterday (Wed) to Scripps Encinitas to request a meeting with Dr. MacCormick, Chief of Staff. We were surprised that he came back on campus to meet with us along with the COO, the Chief Executive RN & someone from HR. The statement they made is that the issue is confidential & they are not at liberty to share any information. They are sympathetic to the situation & understand that it is a stressful situation for the pregnant couples, but there is nothing that they can share. Dr. MacCormick stated that the hospital has made provisions for their OB hospitalists (on call OBs) to care for the pregnant moms when they go into labor & that he fully trusts in their ability to support their birth plans. One of the moms took the lead & stated that we were there to get answers but understood that it was a legal issue & that we might not get answers. She said that we also just wanted to be heard & have our opinions shared with them. She stated that we all know that Dr. Biter was delivering babies as of Thursday & delivered a baby on Friday that had meconium aspiration that was discovered at the time of birth. She stated that the baby is doing fine & that meconium aspiration is something that is fairly common. So, why was it that he was delivering babies Thursday & Friday but them as of Friday afternoon, was deemed to be too dangerous to deliver any more babies? They couldn’t comment on that because it is a confidential issue. Several of the moms spoke & some cried about how emotionally stressful this situation has been on them & they have developed strong ties to Dr. Biter & can’t & won’t consider birthing with anyone else. A dad shared that they’ve been building a relationship with Dr. Biter the past 31 weeks & they trust him & know that he will honor their wishes for a natural birth for their birth. He said that it’s their 1st birth & they really want it to be a wonderful experience. He said that he knows that Dr. Biter will provide that for them and that they will be loyal to him wherever he goes. One of the moms shared that they recently moved to San Diego. They are in the military & chose to go outside of the military hospital to birth their 2nd child because they had a negative birth experience the 1st time. She researched & learned that Scripps Encinitas was supposed to be the most natural-birth supportive hospital in town. She called the Labor & Delivery dept to get a recommendation for a great OB & the nurse said that she’d have to give 3 referrals but that Dr. Biter got a “gold star”. This mom said that she specifically chose their hospital & this doctor because she wants a better birth. She said that she is committed to having Dr. Biter be at her birth & that she was really unhappy with the decision to suspend him. I shared that I’m a childbirth educator & have had over 350 couples come through my classes. I’ve always referred my clients to Scripps Encinitas because they promote themselves to be the most natural-birth supportive & because they are a mother-baby friendly hospital. I asked them how they could be either of those if they continue getting rid of natural birth supportive care providers like the midwives & Dr. Biter, who is the MOST natural-birth supportive OB in town. They were defensive about the midwives & wanted to clarify that they didn’t make the midwife group leave, but that the midwife group left on their own accord. I stated that they technically may have left, but it was only because the environment was hostile & that we all really knew what happened. I suggested to them that they rethink their decision to suspend Dr. Biter because in doing so, they’ve now tainted their reputation as a natural-birth supportive & mother-baby friendly hospital. In suspending him, they’ve also put themselves in a poor financial situation because almost all of his patients will follow him or choose other hospitals. I shared with them that I was aware of 5 moms that were due & chose to have homebirths with midwives & that NO ONE has chosen to birth in Scripps Encinitas with the on-call doctors since the suspension occurred. The COO & the Chief Exec. RN were defensive again saying that I shouldn’t make blanket statements that include their nurses because their nurses are mother-baby friendly & natural-birth supportive. Dr. MacCormick also stated that there are other OBs on staff who support natural birth & will respect a woman’s birth plan. I then stated that I used to refer clients to several other doctors who say they support natural birth only to find that my couples consistently would report back to me that they were pressured & didn’t have the birth experience they wanted. Yet, every client that went to Dr. Biter for their birth had only positive things to say about their birth experiences. So, they may say they have other doctors, but as they can see, the group of people before them would NOT be coming to their hospital unless Dr. Biter was present. A dad, who is also a doctor, ended the meeting by saying that this small group represents the larger group of Dr. Biter patients & that most if not all of Dr. Biter’s patients would not be coming to the hospital to birth their babies. The dad requested that they reinstate Dr. Biter immediately so the women in the room could birth where they wanted to & with the OB they desired & developed a relationship with. The dad requested that the decision be made as soon as possible & that if they weren’t going to reinstate him, that that decision be made as soon as possible as well. We thanked them all for their time & they did the same. They repeated that they are sympathetic to the situation & that they heard our requests.

Here’s the latest information we have about the rally:

We are expecting over 500 people to come to the rally [Friday, May 14th, 2010]. Please do NOT park on Scripps property. There is a parking lot across the street & residential parking west of the hospital.

If you’d like to order a t-shirt that says Bring Dr. Biter Back!, please contact Deanna at opporders@gmail.com for details.

Here are the new recommendations for signs:
STOP BULLYING BITER!
Bring Dr. Biter Back!
Bring Biter Back!
Dr. Biter IS Mother-Baby Friendly!
www.BRINGBITERBACK.com
Dr. Biter is THE VBAC doc!
Dr. Biter has the lowest C-section rate!
RNs (heart) Dr. Biter
Biter is the only OB that teaches surgery in San Diego!
Best DOCTOR 2 years in a row!
Reinstate Dr. Biter NOW!
My baby needs Dr. Biter!
My birth needs Dr. Biter!
Dr. Biter respects women’s rights!

We want this rally to be positive but we also want to make our point. Please keep your signs focused on what we want–Dr. Biter to be reinstated immediately–and what we love about Dr. Biter.

Feel free to contact the news–TV, radio, online, & print–to encourage them to cover this story & our rally. John Gardner’s sentencing is scheduled to happen at 1:30 pm so they will be covering that, but we’ll be rallying until 3:30 pm, so they can still come cover our rally. If they need a contact person, you can refer them to me: Carol Yeh-Garner 858-837-1259 or to Sheri Menelli: 760-522-2829.

On behalf of all of the people working behind the scenes to make this rally happen & to help get Dr. Biter reinstated, we THANK YOU for your support!

This is the same weekend as the Trust Birth Conference, so if you are in town, you will have ample time after the conference is over at noon on Sunday to scoot on over to Century City (10309 Santa Monica Blvd, Suite 300, Los Angeles, CA 90024) and then back again if you want to attend the Stragglers Dinner at 6:30pm.

Additional classes have been scheduled in Claremont in July and Vista in October.

To register for the LA March class, please go here.  Space is limited.

What will the class discuss?

“The Truth About VBAC” delivers a comprehensive review of the medical research to parents, doulas, midwives, nurses and other birth advocates and medical professionals.  Topics include:

• Repeat Cesarean vs. VBAC Realities
• Risks of Hospital vs. Out-of-Hospital Birth
• Finding a VBAC Supportive OB or Midwife
• The Marketing of “Risk”
• Hospital VBAC Strategies
• Factors of Uterine Rupture
• Maternal & Infant Outcomes
• Elements of VBAC Success
• Benefits of Spontaneous Vaginal Birth
• Hospital VBAC Bans

What do past attendees say about the class?

A mom with two prior cesareans:

This class is all about the facts. It is low pressure. It gives you information from scientific journals that will help you make the best decision for you and your baby.   At the end, you get to decide which set of risks you are willing to accept.  It opened my husband’s eyes. Even though I’ve been telling him, he needed to hear the research and the numbers.  Thank you!!!

A Labor & Delivery nurse:

Thanks for an outstanding class! It was very nice meeting you. Your hard work and dedicated research is incredibly impressive. Knowledge is Power, wish it would rub off on the whole OB community. I think the trend to eventually turn that direction for women’s choice of birth options will happen as more people put that kind of pressure on the issue. Bravo to you!

A mom with one prior cesarean:

My husband and I certainly felt even more confident after the class.  I would definitely recommend it to anyone considering a VBAC.

Do I need to be pregnant to attend?

The best time to educate yourself is before you get pregnant when you have time to research, decide what kind of birth you want, and then assemble your birth team without a due date looming.  That said, highly motivated women have decided mid-pregnancy to change gears, reconsider their scheduled cesarean, and plan VBACs.

Why is this class important?

It’s likely either you or someone you know has had a cesarean.  Unfortunately, there is a lot of fear and misinformation about birth after cesarean.  Is VBAC dangerous?  What are the risks of repeat cesareans? What is the safest thing for babies and mothers?  What should you do if you want a large family?  What hospitals are most supportive of VBAC?  Is out-of-hospital (home or birth center) birth an option?

With half of American hospitals actively enforcing VBAC bans and increasing numbers of obstetricians preferring repeat cesareans, many women wonder if their only choice is another surgical delivery.  A 2005 survey revealed that while 57% of American women desire a VBAC, less than 10% succeed.

Banner ads and flyers are available.

Claremont VBAC Class

The "Truth About VBAC" seminar in Claremont, California is 8 days away on Saturday, October 24th from 1p – 4p.  Don’t miss out on your opportunity to experience an extensive review of the best VBAC and repeat cesarean research as well as learn specific, practical tools to maximize the likelihood of hospital or out-of-hospital VBAC success!  To register or sponsor a ticket, please visit: http://vbacfacts1024.eventbrite.com/

Do I need to be pregnant to attend?

The information is targeted towards women with prior cesareans who wish to have more children and the childbirth professionals who support them.  The best time to educate yourself is before you get pregnant when you have the luxury of time to research, decide what kind of birth you want, and then assemble your birth team without a due date looming.  That said, many women, have decided mid-pregnancy to change gears, reconsider their scheduled cesarean, find a new care provider, and plan successful VBACs.

Fullerton Class Recap

The Fullerton class last month was full of inquiring parents, midwives, doulas, Bradley childbirth educators, and labor & delivery (L&D) nurses some of whom drove over two hours to attend.  Not only did the moms and dads learn about VBAC, but they participated in a lively and candid discussion with the L&D nurses and doulas who were able to share exactly what it is like to VBAC in a hospital environment.  It would be very hard, if not impossible, to have these same exchanges on the L&D floor.  We also had homebirth midwives and doulas who provided the out-of-hospital perspective.

Here’s some feedback from one of the L&D nurses, who works in a hospital with an official VBAC ban and is working towards change:

Hi Jen, Thanks for an outstanding class! It was very nice meeting you. Your hard work and dedicated research is incredibly impressive. Knowledge is Power, wish it would rub off on the whole OB community. I think the trend to eventually turn that direction for women’s choice of birth options will happen as more people put that kind of pressure on the issue. Bravo to you!

"The Truth About VBAC" Book

Included with each ticket is one "Truth About VBAC" book which includes all the slides from the presentation, the bibliography, as well as lined paper throughout for easy note taking.  As the class is research heavy, this will enable you to sit back and absorb the information rather than frantically copying statistics and study citations, as I have often done in seminars.

Additional books will be available purchase that day for $15.  Quantities are limited.  To guarantee your copy, pre-purchase here: http://vbacfacts1024.eventbrite.com/

VBAC Class Advocacy

If you can’t come to the class but want to spread the word, consider putting a banner ad on your website or blog, posting flyers in your local community, or sharing VBAC FAQ cards with your friends or clients.

Shape the 2010 Class Schedule

You can influence where the next VBAC Class will be held!  I expect to hold 3-4 classes in Southern California throughout 2010.  I’m looking at the area bordered by Santa Barbara, Lancaster, Palm Desert, and San Diego.  If you want "The Truth About VBAC" to come to your city, please email info at vbacfacts dot com with your name, city, and zip code.  Those cities with the most requests will determine the next VBAC Class!

If you have facilities that can accommodate 20-40 people and want to host a class, please contact me at info at vbacfacts dot com.  I will be emailing those who have contacted me in the past in the coming weeks to discuss scheduling a class.

Win Two VBAC Class Tickets at the LA Holistic Moms Open House!

VBAC Facts has donated 250 VBAC FAQ cards as well as two tickets to a 2010 "Truth About VBAC" class to the Holistic Moms Network LA Open House Raffle.  Please join us Wednesday November 4th, 6:30pm at South Pasadena Library Community Room, 1115 El Centro St, South Pasadena, CA.  Here is a flyer with all the details.

Chino Birth Center Open House before VBAC Class

If you would like to tour a birth center and speak to a out-of-hospital midwife before heading over to the VBAC Class, the Oaks House Family Birth Center at 13770 Oaks Avenue, Chino CA 91709 is having an Open House on Saturday, October 24th from 11am – 2pm.  For more information call (909) 464-0974.

mybestbirth San Diego Party & Screening

I’m going to  this event which is scheduled for Thursday, November 12, 2009 at 5:30 PM and can’t wait!  To register please visit: http://mybestbirthsd.eventbrite.com/  All proceeds benefit the Business of Being Born Educational Outreach Project, ICAN and the San Diego Birth Network. Here are the details:

Join us for an exclusive VIP Reception at Babies in Bloom at 5:30 pm. Meet Ricki and Abby, enjoy delicious appetizers and beverages, and see a sneak peek of Ricki and Abby’s new film! We will also have a silent auction of fabulous items from our sponsors.

After the party, "The Business of Being Born" will be shown at the Krikorian Theaters in Vista Village at 7 pm. Several local birth professionals (including midwives Barbara Herrera and Michelle Freund, and Dr. Robert Biter) will join Ricki and Abby for a discussion panel  following the screening.

Private Screening of "Laboring Under an Illusion"

I’m so bummed this is the same night at the mybestbirth event!  Hopefully CABO will host another screening in the future!

Attend a private showing at Laguna Hills Community Center on Thursday, November 12, 2009 5-8pm of "Laboring Under an Illusion," a documentary that depicts how the media portrays labor and birth.  It is quite comical and contrasts delivery and birth.  Hope you will consider this and join us and distribute widely. Women that are pregnant or planning to have a baby may be interested as well!  All proceeds support the efforts of project CABO (Community Alliance for Birth Options). 

Here is a flyer with all the details.

Traumatic Birth Healing Spiral

When is it? Saturday, October 17, 2009

Who should attend? Women who have experienced a traumatic birth experience, either cesarean or vaginal.

What is it?  An interactive workshop to assist in emotional healing.  Storytelling, artwork and a blessingway will highlight the event.

Where? Springdale, Arkansas (Directions will be provided to all attendees at time of registration)

Please RSVP by October 15 to Aly Kirkpatrick 479-251-8446 or alynwaican@hotmail.com

$10 suggested donation per person, scholarships available

The International Cesarean Awareness Network is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve maternal/child health by preventing unnecessary cesareans through education, providing support for cesarean recovery and promoting Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC). Visit our research based website www.ican-online.org or email alyNWAican@hotmail.com

Please feel free to forward this email to anyone you know who may be interested

There is also the Claremont class in East Los Angeles County on October 24th.

These are the only classes for 2009.  Register and save your spot!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Class Explores Birth After Cesarean Options in Fullerton & Claremont

POMONA, CA (September 2, 2009) – VBACFACTS.com announced “The Truth About VBAC,” a class on vaginal birth after cesarean, will be offered in Fullerton on Sunday, September 20 and in Claremont on Saturday, October 24. Incorporating the latest medical research, the class provides clear and concise information as well as specific, practical tools for women considering or planning a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC).

With half of American hospitals actively enforcing VBAC bans and increasing numbers of obstetricians preferring repeat cesareans, many women wonder if their only choice is another surgical delivery. A 2005 survey revealed that while 57% of American women desire a VBAC, less than 10% succeed.

“If you are a candidate for VBAC and have the knowledge, tools, and support, the likelihood that you will successfully VBAC is high, at least 75%,” states Jen Kamel, founder of VBACFACTS.com. “Hire an OB or midwife that is truly supportive, because they will set the tone of your birth. Aim for an unmedicated birth because drugs can impact the mother’s mental clarity and increase the risk of complications resulting in an otherwise avoidable repeat cesarean. Select a birth location that will be encouraging rather than be a source of fear and doubt. Find women who have birthed vaginally after a cesarean or are planning a VBAC and use them as your cheerleaders and sounding board. “

“The Truth About VBAC” provides women with a extensive analysis of their options. Topics include:

• Repeat Cesarean vs. VBAC Realities
• Risks of Hospital vs. Out-of-Hospital Birth
• How to Find a VBAC Supportive OB or Midwife
• Hospital VBAC Strategies
• Factors of Uterine Rupture
• The Marketing of “Risk”
• Maternal & Infant Outcomes
• Elements of VBAC Success
• Benefits of Spontaneous Vaginal Birth
• VBAC Ban Rationale & Rebuttal
• History of VBAC – From Encouraged to “Unsafe”

Cost is $25/person or $40/couple and pre-registration is required. For more information or to register, visit www.vbacfacts.com/vbac-class.

The Fullerton class will be held on Sunday, September 20, 2009 from 1pm – 4pm at Belly Sprout, 426 W. Commonwealth Avenue.

The Claremont class will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2009 from 1pm – 4pm at No Sugar Added, 141 Yale Avenue.

About VBACFACTS.com

An evidence based source on vaginal birth after cesarean, VBACFACTS.com empowers women with information, tools, and resources.

About Jen Kamel

A former commercial real estate research manager, Mrs. Kamel retired upon her daughter’s birth via cesarean section in 2004. After her son’s birth in 2007, a successful VBAC, she created VBACFACTS.com in order to make the information and research she had compiled easily accessible to others.

Contact:
Jen Kamel
E-Mail: press@vbacfacts.com
Website: www.vbacfacts.com
###

What Is It…                                                                 

To further support women’s right to choose their birthing experience, Berlin Wellness is offering gift certificates totally for $100,000 in labor preparation and prenatal services to women planning a VBAC.

What We’re Offering…

In exchange for our amazing giveaways, we’re looking for participants willing to take part in 2 scheduled video recorded interviews – 1 before and 1 after the birth – sharing the route each woman took to decide on a VBAC delivery. The when, why’s and how’s leading up to the big day, followed by the ultimate outcome of the overall experience will provide 100 women with $1,000 each in gift certificates to put towards prenatal preventative care and wellness services.

For more information, please visit The Berlin Wellness Group: $100,000 VBAC Giveaway!

Hope to see you there!

You can register here: http://vbacfacts.com/vbac-class/

Get directions No Sugar Added
141 Yale Ave
Claremont, CA 91711
(909) 626-1969

Get directions

To register, go here.  Hope you can join us!

Are you interested in attending an upcoming VBAC Class?

Would you like advanced notice of dates and preferred registration of future classes?

If so, please email me at register at vbacfacts dot com and you will receive advance notice of dates as well as be able to register for classes before the public.

Space is limited, so make sure you get a seat!

I am excited because we need more out-of-hospital options.  If more women hire midwives for their first pregnancy, there will be fewer primary cesareans.

They are having an Open House in Saturday July 11, 2009 from 10am to 4pm. 

Activities include:

• Facility Tours;
• Discussion of Complementary Care Practices and Services;
• Movie Showings – Business of Being Born, Orgasmic Birth, and Laboring Under an Illusion; and
• mini-presentations about care during pregnancy.

Beach Cities Midwifery and Beachside Birth Center
24902 Moulton Parkway, Suite 120
Laguna Hills, CA 92637

Download the flyer.

Check out the movies.

Download the flyer.

Pregnancy &

New Baby Event

What:Join us as we gather all of the experts to help guide you through your pregnancy. We will have midwives, doulas, childbirth educators, lactation specialists, natural care practitioners and parent-related vendors. Have your questions answers and leave empowered to choose the birth you want as well as the options on how to raise your new baby naturally!

*11:15-12noon Birth Options Q&A with local midwives and doulas
*1-1:30p.m. New "Green" Baby care
*Refreshments
*Raffle for those who RSVP before the date: alyce@birthingmemories.com
*Baby wearing demos from Moby Wrap and Zolowear Slings
*Henna Artist Lernie Beuler will be offering henna art.
*New Belly Sprout Products:

• La Leche League Bras
• Hot Milk
• Modest Middles
• Belly Bands
• Mambino
• Fleurville Diaper Bags

When: July 18th from 11:00am – 2:30pm

Where: Belly Sprout

Cost: Free event, but you must RSVP. Contact alyce@birthingmemories.com or call (714) 879-1303

About: Belly Sprout is a natural mothering store located in Fullerton and the first in O.C. to carry an entire range of cloth diapers, as well as many other hard-to-find products. We not only offer the products but the education and instruction on how to use your baby carriers and cloth diapers. Belly Sprout also offers a complete calendar of classes, workshops and events.

Please visit us at www.bellysprout.com

Belly Sprout
426 W. Commonwealth Ave.
Fullerton, Ca. 92832
(714) 879-1303

You will be able to tell who I am easily.  Since I haven’t been able to design the perfect VBAC Facts t-shirt, I’ll be wearing a t-shirt with my VBAC Facts handout pinned on it.  Fashion quandary solved.

Saturday, January 10, 2009
10am: Orgasmic Birth
11am – 2pm: Open House

The Oaks House
13770 Oaks Ave
Chino, CA 91710
(909) 464-0974
Lori Luyten, LM, CPM

Directions

More Information

Hope to see you there!

Sunday June 8th, 2008 at 7:00pm
The movie viewing will be preceded by a Pot Luck at 5:30pm presented and hosted by Catch A Healthy Habit (Which is a Holistic/Organic/Raw Foods Cafe)
487A Campbell Ave.
West Haven, CT. 06416

Following the movie we will be having a opportunity for people to discuss their feelings of the movie and the subject in general.

The showing of the movie is FREE! Donations to ICAN and Catch A Health Habit Cafe will be accepted also.

If you would like to come please try to RSVP so we can have a ball park estimate of how many chairs we will need.

———————————
Danielle Elwood
Chapter Leader/ICAN of Connecticut
http://www.icanofconnecticut.webs.com