Hi Lieve,
Just thought I'd respond to your comment about not going with couples into
hospital - I take it that means if a transfer is needed.
In 1995 a policy was brought in that any health professional could report
anyone to the Department of Community Services, it seems that birthing
unassisted or attended by anyone but a registered midwife is putting your
baby 'at risk' and warrants reporting, as does {dirty} lotus births and
probably a range of other things - maybe not taking all the 'advice' you are
bullied into will become one. This did occur to one couple I know of
earlier this year, and DOCS, as underfunded and overworked as they are, did
visit the couple who now have a permanent file on themselves.
We all know that there is no law in Australia to make it illegal for couples
to choose to give birth on their own or with chosen support people like
there is I believe in France, and has been in England. But as I said in my
initial letter of grief to this ozmid line, the blinkered beliefs of the
medicalised system of childbirths leads to all sorts of bother for those of
us who wish to negotiate our way through the maze of ritualised medical
assault. Reporting couples to DOCS is another form of that.
So if the couple is accompanied harassment can occur. If the couple is not
accompanied, ... same thing... in this area anyway. And having supported
another couple in the same hospital only 2 weeks before to a terrific birth
well supported by the medical team, I wasn't too worried about staying with
them.
I have over the years attended quite a few hospital births, but believe me,
this one was the worst of the worst.
Sue
> Dear Sue,
>
> I think I understand your feelings trough and through. I worked in a
> hospital for 20 years . They kicked me out because I was always fighting for
> the parents, to keep medicalisation off and to get some of a breastfeeding
> management.
> Then I started as independent midwife and the first years I continued
> fighting the rules in the hospitals I met. It caused me a lot of pain and
> struggle and periods of disencouragement. The looks, the comments, the
> gossips behind my back, I know it all. I got out of energy and thought about
> quitting my midwifery.
> Last year I learned to let it go. People know I will not go with them to the
> hospital. It was a large step for me, because I want to be with them all the
> way, but I had to survive myself. I will do my homebirths and I am happy
> with every birth that goes how the parents intend it to be.
>
> We have a duty to ourself to, to survive as a midwife and as a human. We are
> not superwoman.
> It will be a pity when you leave the list, just when you need so much the
> support of those who meet the same things. Maybe you can find a way yourself
> by sharing your grieves to live with the situation and to make something
> good of it.
>
> I wish you a lot of strength to live with things you can't change at the
> moment and be sure, you change things although you are not always aware of
> it, just by your way of thinking and being.
>
> Much love and support
> Lieve
>
>
>
>
>
>
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