[ozmidwifery] Pregnancy program on "Discovery" channel

[Julie Clarke]

Hi Deb Yes I watched some of “World Birth” on Discovery very late last night – after class – it was on at 10.30pm too. Similarly to you I noticed the underlying medical tone in the narrator’s comments was very much risk and doom and gloom.  They are very careful to edit the footage to only include the shock value and frightening sensational parts.   I felt very uncomfortable with them doing a close up of the woman’s face, whose eyes were dazed and semi closed as she was having a pph on the operating theatre table during the c.section.  They pitched it that the doctor had to work hard to save her life instead of the risks associated with c.section. Its on again tonight I think. They are also running another program called “All about Pregnancy” on Discovery Channel at the moment I think its been on 3 times this week – haven’t had the time to watch a whole episode yet – keep getting quick bits n pieces.   We all have a choice when we watch these programs to either give feedback and our opinions and be heard or accept the American nonsense being pushed onto our society and do nothing about it. We shouldn’t be complacent, I’ll be giving feedback to Fox TV and I will be delighted to read others responses to programmes too. Have you all been keeping up to date with Maternity Coalition ?   regards   Julie Clarke Childbirth and Parenting Educator Transition into Parenthood Classes 9 Withybrook Pl Sylvania NSW 2224 T(02) 9544 6441 F(02) 9544 9257 M. 0410 265530 email  [EMAIL PROTECTED]     Watched some of this afternoon.  Looked at births happening around the globe on one single day - China, Ethiopia, Germany, US. Without exception every lady was birthing in hospital and lying down.  The nearest to an active labour was the German lady who spent the early part of labour in the hospital garden sitting on a park bench - but even then, she ended up in a hospital bed lying down. What struck me was - despite the different cultures, and prosperities of the country - the similarity of a medical culture of birth (with ladies on their backs on the bed). Admittedly didn't see all the program so some of it may have been different. Debbie Slater Perth, WA