If the women wish to use the crytals that is their business not other
Midwives or administrators.
Just talk to them prior to labour about them and if you cannot do that you
can inform your clients about them in early labour. It is then up to them
if they wish to use them. You don't have to document or tell anyone else
as it is the woman's decision to use them, you are not 'prescribing' them.
You could argue if they challenged you again for them (midwives &
admin) to prove if they do harm to the labouring woman and that it was the
womans decision. You always state to the woman that there is no hard data
on crystals but you can give them anecdotal evidence from the woman who stated
that they were useful.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2003 10:56
PM
Subject: [ozmidwifery] crystal
therapy
Dear List,
I have recently been using crystals at work with
some success. Several of my patients have said "they gave me something to
focus on; they gave me something to hold on to; I felt protected; I think they
really did work thankyou.....However, the sceptics have engaged their will and
notified the NPC that they feel this therapy makes us
look unprofessional, practicing witchcraft, there is no strong evidence
to support their use....etc.... Thus I am no longer able to use the
crystals in my work until I find some evidence to support their use.
Therapies such as pethidine and
epidurals are sold to all women as "safe modalities for pain relief"
instead of being used appropriately to rescue mothers in severe
pathological pain states. It is a shame that my strong critics
have nothing else to offer women, a sad reflection on our profession.
These drugs are offered without any conscious recognition for the
evidence available that demonstrates an increased incidence of PND;
decreased breastfeeding rates;....etc or as Michel Odent
predicts ever increasing levels of violence in our society due to a
generation of offspring who did not have access to the level of oxytocin that
promotes bonding and a capacity to love: feeling numb on the
inside; not being able to complete tasks; disconnected from society;
increase in youth suicide........drug abuse.........the list goes on. But
"thats ok....its protocol so lets not concern ourselves with the evidence that
suggests these therapies should be avoided in the majority of
women"
I need your support to help me work towards
achieving safer outcomes for women. I would appreciate any information or
evidence any of you may have which may help me develop a protocol
for the use of complementary therapies such as crystals etc.... or send me a
copy of a protocol you have developed in your working environment. Kind
regards Jennie Want (RN.EM.BMid..Masters of Midwifery
student)
