Dear Maxine, I will discuss the issues if I feel the recipient will be at least a little open to the discussion, but unfortunately, I've received some harsh criticism and judgements in the past. With some I've lost all credibility instantly. I've witnessed/experienced extreme anti-homebirth attacks personally that have left me quite depressed. Part of it is the fact that I'm often dealing with mainstream general public, as well as my own naivety over the years as I mature. Having said all this I, certainly do teach in all my classes, from a philosophy of family centered natural active birth, so yes I do bring homebirth wholesome ideas into my classes - it's absolutely central to the essence of my work. I just do it all without saying the word homebirth. I do have homebirth books and videos in my library for my home classes, but they rarely get borrowed, they are regarded I think as something akin to Satanism. Forgive me everyone if my words seem too controversial - it's just a genuine reflection of my observations. Sometimes I'm a little ashamed of Australian attitudes - and I often do say in classes that things are very different in other countries ie. NZ UK Holland and I will often describe how things are there. Women who are very keen for a natural birth often get tangled up in the system that doesn't support them, yet when they talk about it no-one else in their circle of family and friends will take a bit of notice of them - they are accused of wanting a natural birth instead of a healthy baby. Often it's their partners who are the first to deny the woman the validity of her feelings. Women take such a lot of notice of their partners judgement of themselves. I am astounded these days too at how people are so freely critical of feminists - I sometimes respond with "Aren't you a feminist ?" "Do you not believe that women are equal?" Ho humm but I keep at it all because I know that I make a difference to some lives, and I know this because of the feedback I get from people years later, not just in their initial rush of post-baby thrill - but years later when I bump into them at an event or shopping etc - and they tell me all sorts of ways I made a positive difference to their parenting - so that's heartwarming and inspiring. hug to all Julie -----Original Message----- From: maxine hardinge <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Monday, 25 February 2002 4:57 Subject: Re: VBAC
> > >Hi Julie, >I am interested in why you choose to keep the thought that "hospital is no >place to have a baby" when you hear gutwrenching stories, rather than use >your own experience of homebirth as well as your role as a childbirth >educator to generate discuss and help swing community attitude to a more >balanced view of the (percieved, but as we know not always true) safety of >hospital v risk of homebirth. >Maxine > >_________________________________________________________________ >Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com > > -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
