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Hi guys,
of course being the topic of cs I just HAD to put
my two pence worth in! If anyone is ever interested in hearing some of the
'reasons' why women chose cs over vaginal birth, then you should check out the
essential baby forum on caesars...warning though, most of what is said will make
you shudder! The women are VERY defensive about anyone trying to 'impose
their midwifery agenda' on them and they are not too happy about hearing that a
cs does have side effects and does not always ensure a healthy
baby.
What the list does do quite well, is to give us an
insight in to the way these women think and it is very
interesting to be able to read between the lines and note the fears they have
about birth. It is so amusing on some days and down right frustrating on
others to think that the reasons for their fears are caused by those they are so
willing to trust!!!
The decisions to have a cs is one that is often
claimed to be informed, however when questioned further (if you don't get hit by
the daggers straight away) the real risks are often weighed up against some very
unrealistic opinions of vaginal birth. Most of the time the comparison is
made between an uncomplicated cs and a complicated vb ...not the same thing by a
long shot. When asked if they would consider the likelihood of the effects
of an uncomplicated cs and an UNCOMPLICATED vb, the wall shuts down and the
response is often "but how often does an uncomplicated vb occur?" Sad to
say, in the current system not as frequently as it should!!
I am fascinated by the responses of women who
strongly believe they can control an outcome by choosing cs. I am
sometimes lost for any thing to say because the alternative is so fraught with
the wrong attitudes towards birth and so on, that it is hard to reply. I
always ask them if they would consider midwifery care, but more often than not
they are privately insured and want to reap the benefits of the thousands of
dollars they have spent already.
Anyway, I would be interested in hearing some of
your opinions on the essential baby forum on CS. There is also a state by
state notice board to put postings on about alternative care options if anyone
is interested!
cheers
Jo Bainbridge
founding member CARES SA
email:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
phone:
08 8388 6918
birth with trust, faith & love...
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, August 22, 2002 8:13
PM
Subject: [ozmidwifery] Fw: news
story
----- Original Message -----
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
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