Some very interesting threads have come from my posting and I would like to make some comments about them: So many times when I speak to women through CARES they say they didn't read the cs bit or didn't listen during the classes cause "it is not going to happen to me". This causes a great personal conflict because they feel they were ignorant to the chances of having a cs. But why should we not go into birthing our children thinking we don't need a cs?? It is a bit of a conundrum really; do we remain adamant it wont happen to me or is it ignorant that it wont happen to me? The stats are a clear 1 in 4 (or 1 in 3 here in SA). I have been guilty of being annoyed by those classes that treat cs information as a 'norm' in birth....but in reality it is! So do we increase the focus on cs during classes so women are very informed or do we continue to leave it as a side issue and leave those 1 in 4 women with minimal information? I have no answers to this or opinion (other than I wish it wasn't the norm) just wanted to extend the conversation.
The classes specific to CS and VBAC is again an interesting topic: you only have to read the wonderful booklet Jackie did on cs birth experience to know you can not fully inform women in one class. For those women who have to have cs (nervously including those who just want one, although there are separate issues there) intensive classes on cs with full explanations of the risks short term and long term, ways to make a cs a positive cs, care after a cs (care after you get home), and choices after a cs should all be discussed at great length. the problem with having a class like this is that you need to make a cs sound like it is not the end of the world to those who really don't want one but need one, but not make it so 'good' that it falsely enforces to those just wanting one that they are the best option. perhaps there could be a guest speaker, a vbacer, that can chat to women that yes a cs can be a positive experience but a vag birth is wonderful too! Any thoughts on this? VBAC classes are a necessity in my mind. Until vbac is truly considered no different to a normal vag birth, then vbac should be treated with the utmost care and consideration. Women need to know things about the emotional issues, the physical issues, the policy and political issues and the TRUE risk (note the singular risk, not risks) associated with vbac. Doctors AND midwives who are not vbac supportive should be kept away from vbacs. Too many times I have heard the most ludicrous statements about the risks of vbac and sadly a great number of them are from midwives. I have heaps to say about vbac classes but wont go into them here and now...this is long enough as it is. Any comments? Jo Bainbridge founding member CARES SA www.cares-sa.org.au [EMAIL PROTECTED] phone: 08 8388 6918 birth with trust, faith & love... ----- Original Message ----- From: "Alesa Koziol" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, April 03, 2003 1:30 PM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] C.section education to do or not to do? > Dear Justine > re your comments > ...................."So I am glad I am not an educator. The challenge if I > was one would be to help women understand why 1 in 4 births are currently > resulting in caesarean section and at the same time why only 1 or so in 10 > should!" > > Yes it is a challenge, but one which educators embrace. It is therefore > satisfying when a class evaluation states that the information found to be > most useful was "learning that C/S is major surgery and not to be taken > lightly". This I received following a class on the weekend, and reinforces > that we must provide thorough C/S info-not minifism it (love this new > word!!) > Cheers > Alesa > > > > -- > This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. > Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe. > -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
