For my 4th child I trusted my body and chose a home birth, however, the 'ol bod didn't cooperate, a nasty dose of PE and HELLPS and my babe was born by Csection at 31 weeks.
HOWEVER, I had CHOSEN I chose who were my home birth attendants in additional to hubby (midwife and aspiring midwife) and they were with me while I waited on the labour ward and they were in the hall and saw my daughter minutes after she was pulled out and visited her in NICU I chose tell to tell the God like surgeon that it was MY decision how or if I was going to die I chose to retain my confidence and inner strength I chose to trust myself (regardless of the body not willing!) and my abilities to be mother and woman I agree with Mary ... there is something missing in the whole system when women hand over their power and responsibility to others. Whilst birthing at home is a wonderful ideal (and should be the norm rather than the exception) I think the most important aspect of CHOOSING to birth at home is the thought process, decision making and responsibility taken in making that choice, regardless of where your baby is born. Unfortunately, much of the hospital system works against this process of owning your self and your responsiblities. I take my hat off to those that are working from the 'inside' to change those attitudes and forge a link between the home and hospital settings that are supportive of women and their families. Mary-Clare working behind the scenes as a mother and wise women ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mary Murphy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Ruth Cantrill" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2001 12:51 PM Subject: Re: homebirth/traditional mw > I think that the women who birth unattended, then ring the ambulance to take > them to hospital, shows that our present system has undermined families > confidence in their own abilities to parent their children from the moment > of their birth. Many women say that they couldn't birth in the Family Birth > Centre or at home, because they "wouldn't know what to do with the baby" > and have little confidence in their ability to feed a newborn. The present > system also means that when women do go home after day 3, then they STILL > have little confidence. The midwifery based, woman opriented system ensures > that women gain confidence and even Primips require only 3 hours after the > birth and then daily visiting for the rest of the week (with follow-ups). > They always know they can ring "their' midwife for advice.. but rarely need > to. The balance must be restored so that childbirth and early parenting can > be normalised, parents can be confident that they know how and enjoy the > experience, with support in place in the community. MM > ----- Original Message ----- > Subject: homebirth/traditional mw - I can never fathom why it is that when > > women happen to be lucky enough to have a born before arrival (BBA) at > home > > - they ring and ambulance and come into hospital!!! yet it happens time > and > > time again. One would think if one was that lucky to do it all that easy > > that it would be a great achievement of accomplishment but they (the > women > > and the family) don't seem to look at it that way. > > > > yet I wonder what sort of critisisms would be leveled at everyone > concerned > > should they actually plan to have a self conducted home birth for free > with > > the option to call someone in if they needed some extra help and advice. > > > > > > I find the debate over certified midwives and traditional midwives and > > acceptance and non acceptance of various qualifications a little baffling. > > how do traditional midwives start out and then progress to become so > > knowledgeable. who mentors, teaches, supervises them to the point where > they > > are ready for private practice? Are there avenues for all to share > > knowledge and experience. > > > > have others studied and worked through the hospital system in vain naively > > thinking they were doing the right thing for a career in women's health? > it > > seems to me, the 'midwife' debate at the moment makes us all look like a > bit > > of a joke. would it have been better to have chosen a medical doctor, GP, > > obstetrition (or anything other than RN midwife) and then used traditional > > midwifery strategies to assist women in birthing and parenting??!!? > > Ruth > > > > -- > > This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. > > Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe. > > > > -- > This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. > Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
