Tax Exempt Babies

Money: The Great Tempter

When I was a new Labor and Delivery nurse, I was shocked to learn of the number
of labor inductions scheduled at year's end for the sole purpose of saving a family
money on their IRS return.

Yet for the seasoned Labor and Delivery nurse, this is simply an occurrence that
happens and is apart of the territory.

This is one of the many practices that take place in Obstetrics, and is just another Ho-Hum
addition to the growing number of unquestioned conventions in the American practice
of medicine.

As an example, the fact that health care practitioners don't seem to question and are
indeed apathetic to the Health Insurance Industry control of medical practice; or
the fact that 50 million people don't have health insurance in this country; or that in
five years, health insurance won't cover people at all and everyone will be paying out of
pocket for medical care, with health insurance companies still exerting all of its control,
denying claims and care.

But  I digress.

The modern world has created a society where people look to convenience and
choice as opposed to the natural harmony and synchronization of mother, placenta
and fetus doing their magic to create the birth of a healthy baby.

While I accept what a parent chooses in all matters, and  serve their hopes, wishes
and dreams, my job is to look at the risks and benefits of theses choices and help
guide where ever I can.

The practice of timing tax deductions by inducing labor or scheduling Cesarean deliveries
may put mother and child at risk, in some cases, life threatening risk.

One Australian study estimates that 12 percent of births are scheduled to take advantage
of a cash bonus offered to parents on or after July 1.

Late in the 1990's, a new tax credit was introduced in the United States for babies born
on or before 12/31.

This year the grand total a person is eligible to receive is $3800.00.

Researchers estimate that this tax law increases the probability that parents with babies
with due dates in early January bump the date of delivery to the end of December
by a rate of 26.9 percent.

This trend continues to this day with more and more babies born when it's convenient
for the parents, and the tax code.

Parents need to know that what appears to be a financially prudent decision may have
costs that no one is emphasizing loud enough.

The birth process is speeded up with Pitocin (a synthetic form of Oxytocin, the natural
hormone  that stimulates the onset of labor) or other labor inducing drugs, causing the
onset of heavy painful contractions. This in turn often leads to the patient requesting an
epidural, which may slow down contractions thus causing the need for more Pitocin
to speed up the process of labor.

These drugs, like all drugs, transfer to the placenta and the baby, often causing fetal distress
in the form of a drop in the fetal heart rate, lower apgar scores, neonatal jaundice, respiratory
disorders, and other complications, all signaling what I call a traumatic birth.

Granted, birth is a traumatic event under normal circumstances. But the conditions I've just
described are becoming more the norm.

Natural childbirth is a rarity.

The World Health Organization and the United States Department of Health and Human
Services as well as other service organizations, through the Healthy People 2010 Project,
seek to reduce the number of Primary Cesarean Sections performed in the US to 15%
or less by the year 2010.

Women: You need to know that you can take an active role in deciding exactly what you
want for your birthing experience.

Tax codes, doctors, nurses or midwives are not the authorities in your life.

You are.

If you truly want to time your birth in order to get a tax break in this fragile economy,
and the temptation is real, then do it and we will help you achieve an optimal outcome.

But please know that the birth of your child is one of  the  peak experiences of  your life time.

Make that the focus of your attention.

Allow the ways of the world to recede.

Because they will return again, soon enough.

Kate Loving Shenk

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Comments

[Rebecca]

Kate,

Eleven years ago when I had my child the cesarean section rate was around 25%, I believe, for our city hospitals. There had been lots of studies and calls for that number to decrease at that time, and now the rate is even higher.

I had a C section for my first child due to a true medical emergency in which my child could have died. I cannot fathom why a woman would voluntarily elect to have a major surgery like that in lieu of a more natural child birth. Sure it can be extremely painful but it is over in a day and you can get on with your life and your baby's life without being laid up in bed for two weeks.

People blame the legal profession for the high C section rate and I can understand doctors not wanting to risk their livelihood when they can perform a c section and have the child born all according to their schedule.

I don't know. It would be cool if there was more info out there about midwifery and doolas (sp?) and all that wonderful natural feminine support that is available.

It is a complex problem. Maybe just tackling one piece of it (the insurance industry) will bring more sensibility into the process.

Sounds like you will be busy tomorrow! Have a happy and healthy New Year for yourself and your little bitty customers!

Rebecca

[Deb Britt]

I haven't really given such a thing much thought, but based on what I see in the world today, it certainly doesn't shock me.

It makes me think back to my own experience. Thankfully, two very healthy children (both now in their early 20's), but two very different deliveries.

First child hurried along with epidural, forceps, and more by an old-school doctor who really didn't want to be there. Wham, bam, thank you ma'am.

Second birth was totally natural, no drugs, no episiotomy, no rush. In a warm whirlpool tub during labor, then back again after the birth to wash the brand new, peaceful baby. I had her at 3:30 in the afternoon and was home by 8:30 that night.

I'm so grateful for both, but the second experience is one that I actually enjoy remembering.

[Kate Loving Shenk]

The year of 2008 has been officially extended by One Minute.

This means a few more babies can be tax exemptions in the New Year.

Thanks for your comments Deb and Rebecca!!

I appreciate it!!