Maternal Mortality The World Health Organization just released two very important publications concerning global and country specific maternal mortality. [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][Trends in maternal mortality 1990 to 2013] and [Global Causes of Maternal Death: a WHO systematic analysis] There are two findings to note: 1) While global maternal mortality is decreasing, the maternal mortality in the United States continues to increase. And 2) The WHO systematic analysis specifically finds that “abortion” related mortality estimates are now reported at 7.9%, not the 13% claimed in the past by IPPF and UNFPA. Global Causes of Maternal Mortality the devotes an entire section to abortion death misclassification. This section is a very well written summary of the misclassification errors which allow abortion deaths to be either misclassified or purposefully hidden. The purpose of including this section was probably to raise a suspicion that abortion related mortality is probably an underestimation, and that there is still justification for the continuous clamor from IPPF and UNFPA for abortion legalization worldwide. However, the lack of valid data about induced abortion related mortality also cuts the other way. Since deaths from legal abortion are also hidden, and misclassified, this section on abortion mortality misclassification reveals that the mantra that “abortion is safer than childbirth” lacks verifiable scientific support. Reversing RU 486 RU-486 (mifepristone, Mifeprex) is a competitive, reversible progesterone receptor binding drug with a long half-life. RU-486 reversibly binds to the progesterone receptors in the maternal decidual cells, and blocks the trophic action of progesterone on maternal decidua. But, this blockade is reversible. At the 2014 AAPLOG conference Dr. George Delgado presented a common sense approach to treating women who had been exposed to RU486 who changed their mind and have not taken the second drug misoprostol . By administering parenteral progesterone, the blockade of progesterone receptors by RU-486 has been successfully overcome, resulting in the live births of 30 babies to date. Dr. Delgado and Dr. Mary Davenport published the concept in Annals of Pharmacotherapy. Information about the protocol which has been used in over 150 pregnancies to date is available at http://www.abortionpillreversal.com/ Hippocratic Oath Celebration Ceremony For the past 7 years, one of our AAPLOG board members, Dr. Julie Mickelson, has been organizing an annual celebration for 4th year medical students who want to take the Hippocratic Oath. This past week I had the privilege of addressing a gathering of Milwaukee physicians from the Christian Medical and Dental Association, the Catholic Medical Association and Marquette University Faculty for Life, as they gathered to celebrate and encourage med student grads and welcome them into the fellowship of Hippocratic healers. It was so encouraging to see Julie’s quiet work of celebrating an honorable commitment, and to see local pro-life physicians gather around these students in support. As AAPLOG physicians, we could consider hosting Hippocratic Oath swearing ceremonies in our local academic communities. This is a simple thing which can make a difference in the lives of the medical students. Contact us at communications@aaplog.org In preparation for speaking at the Hippocratic Oath celebration, I had opportunity to review the material that AAPLOG has compiled on rights of conscience, including a ppt presentation made by Dr. Mary Davenport. This ppt and the ppt from my address are available now on the speakers Bureau under the members tabs on the members.aaplog.org website. (The idea behind the Speaker’ Bureau is to share ppt presentations and other information that we have made in order to make speaking out on the life issues easier for each other. If you have a ppt presentation that you’d be willing to share, on any topic in the life issues, please send it to us at communications.aaplog.org and we will post it on the website for other members to use) Pregnancy Care Centers Your work with helping women in crisis pregnancies is making a difference in the lives of women. For that reason, pregnancy care centers have been in the cross-hairs of particularly vicious attacks. One arm of these attacks takes the form of legal harassment, as is the case in the UK. The good news is that a pro-life vision is compelling and beautiful. And as women are encouraged by PCC’s they are being enabled and emboldened to choose life. Messaging As AAPLOG physicians, we care about the lives of both the unborn child and his or her mother. We have a message of hope and joy that we can convey to our patients, to encourage them in difficult times. This joy is compelling, and ultimately it is the hope that will win the hearts of these discouraged and desperate women. For those who have not seen the YouTube videos made by the nation of Chile a few years ago, I am attaching the link to the YouTube site which contains these brief pro-life commercials.[ http://vimeo.com/17426760 ] Unfortunately the current administration in Chile is actively pro-abortion, but the videos are still a wonderful way to convey a pro-life message. AAPLOG will be working on a series of patient education brochures aimed at giving information and encouragement to women who are struggling with their pregnancies. If you would like to work on this project, or have some ideas to share, please email communications@aaplog.org. Also, there is a very well done video on human development available at : http://www.ted.com/talks/alexander_tsiaras_conception_to_birth_visualized[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
