[ozmidwifery] Fw: news story

[Timothy & Rochelle]

----- Original Message ----- From: Timothy & Rochelle To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, 22 August 2002 16:51 Subject: news story Dear list,   Just wondering if anyone saw Channel 10's edition of the late news last night. (Wednesday 21/08/02) There was a story about a couple who's third baby was born in their car whilst stuck in traffic just minutes from the hospital somewhere on the Gold Coast. I felt initially that the story was a positive thing for birth around the country as it strips away the all too common sterile nature of birth and blatantly says, babies will come when they are ready! It also says to me that if a baby can be safely born in a car in traffic without assistance then it can certainly be experienced safely in well planned home birth with midwifery care!    However my delight turned to disbelief when the pregnant ambulance officer, who took the call from a good Samaritan summoned from the traffic by the father to help, said something like, "well I certainly don't want to take any chances and be caught in traffic without any pain relief, so I have booked in for a Cesar". She then giggled. I am sorry but I don't think this is any laughing matter. Has anyone sat this women down and explained the risks involved with a cesarean, or explained simply that is major surgery and explained the recovery process or mentioned the possibility that she may well feel somewhat detached from her baby when suddenly it is handed to her over the partitioning cloth.   I believe there are definitely cases where a cesarean is the only viable option for the women and or baby and don't take away anyone's right to choose, but I question whether they are truly informed or just truly misinformed? And anyway what happened to relishing, as women the chance we have to experience birth - an event so closely aligned to the physical and emotional. This means taking birth and embracing it with open arms, trusting ourselves, accepting the unglamorous side and the painful side. After all we have decided to conceive and grow another life, we take for granted that our bodies with the help of our partners (initially) can do this perfectly well but then we go and hand it over to more often than not men to finish the job, rendering ourselves as incapable. I don't think so, birth is something only women can do and when supported and nurtured we do it beautifully!   I find it difficult to understand the above mentality when I myself feel privileged to be a women and to have the opportunity to experience birth. I cannot wait to have my second child in the future. Alongside the desire to be a mum to a large family, is the desire to experience the feelings both physically and emotionally associated with the birth process. A process that I respect and that truly amazes me. I can't help but feel that inductions and elective cesareans without sufficient medical grounding are sheer disrespect for human life. In my eyes they are choosing to miss out on more than just the pain.   Just  thought I would share my reaction to this with you.   kind Regards Rochelle