Dearest Sue (long but necessary for You) I just wish I lived closer so I could nick around and give you a big hug right now. Those of us who know you for the woman you are, the experience you have, the love and wisdom you have given to many lucky women over the years, share the sadness and disillusionment you feel right now.
Many of us who have the privilege of working with women in the community and the experience of hospital based care know that not much has changed in the past 30 years. In fact, I would go as far as to say it is worse in terms of the high intervention rates, Caesarean Section rates, physical, emotional and psychological trauma unwittingly inflicted on women who labour and birth in the system. There are small pockets of light where midwives have been and are successful or who are endeavouring to retain or return midwifery it's rightful place. 65 years ago when my mother-in-law had her two boys at home with the local midwife and GP (only if needed) had far better (even posterior) birth experiences than most women are faced with in the hospital system today. She told us (5ft tall) how she laboured for 3 days (initially on and off) with her first big boy posterior position, the energy with which she shared her experience was wonderful each time we heard it. She was the anchor of the family, and that flowed on to the grandchildren. She has passed on now, but her stories remain vivid in our hearts and minds. Then there is my experience when working with the old GP as a student midwife - he never phased with the breech presentation (no unnecessary Caesar's then) - taught me "HANDS OFF THE BREECH" let the baby come down gently and slowly, keep the little body warm, if you touch you stress the baby, stressed baby means a stressed mother. There are many of these stories and of course there are also the difficult and bad ones too - like the old ether then heroin days. I am trying to think realistically - that leaves me with the thought that not much has really changed, just the way it is done, the number of people involved per birthing woman (some aesthetic environments are still not changed) and the number of drug companies leeching millions of dollars from the taxpayers pockets. Increased fear of litigation, 9 to 5 obstetrics and the need for the medical profession to 'save the woman' from natural, nurturing birth experiences by inflicting their own inadequacies of not coping on the woman. The retrieval effect, the I know what's best for you syndrome Fear is our worst enemy, fear driven knowledge passed on through experience perpetuates depending where your experience is obtained, practiced and maintained. Since medical men and women have taken over midwifery the predictions are now looming. We are seeing (in the main) an era of unhappy, depressed, traumatised women followed by difficulty with breastfeeding leading to early weaning, families often unthinkingly supplementing the multi billion dollar infant formula trade. And we are developing midwives who only gain experience in a medically controlled model of care, often yearning for midwifery experience but feel totally inadequate and overwhelmed by fear of rocking the boat. Unable to change the conveyor belt system without a revolt most will continue in their submissive role of obstetricians assistant. For these midwives it means the threat of lost jobs, income, financial stability and promotion. When we provide prenatal care, attend each women in labour and birth and continue with them afterwards in their own surroundings there is a huge difference not many midwives/women/wise women birth attendants get to experience. Emanating is an aura of peace not fear, success not failure, strength not submission, family/chosen others not strangers, trust not distrust, empowerment generated by the woman not disempowerment generated by the fearful ones. It's a bit like we live what we learn. That is where I have a strong belief that the medical profession would do well to accept some time out in the community with us. Nothing is ever guaranteed in our lives but there is one thing I am very certain of - if more women had the opportunity to be with women like yourself we would have much happier, well adjusted mothers experiencing birth as it should be, breastfeeding and nurturing without fuss and in economic terms the country would be billions of dollars in the black and the formula companies would be like the cigarette companies struggling in the presence of a health conscious nation. Take some time out, recharge your inner strength, rewind your wisdom - it's not really time for you to depart yet Sue. When you are rested and had time to reflect you will know where you are going to be. Loving warmth and strength to you and love to your husband and family Robyn Robyn Thompson Melbourne Midwifery Specialist Services Pty Ltd (abn 34 007 423 994) Independent Midwifery Practice Midwife Practitioner * Homebirth * Lactation * Maternal & Child Health www.melbmidwifery.com.au [EMAIL PROTECTED]
<<attachment: winmail.dat>>
