[ozmidwifery] Fw: Re:Caesarean Section

[JoFromOz]

Here is the email I sent to the Today show...   Jo   ---- Original Message ---- From: JoFromOz To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2003 12:18 PM Subject: Re:Caesarean Section > I am sure you have recieved many emails today, telling you how happy, > excited, elated, etc. people were at seeing a newborn plucked from > his mother by a stranger's latex-covered hands.  I am also sure that > you have recieved many emails from people who know how birth should > be, letting you know their horror or even to a lesser extent their > disappointment at the broadcast.     > > I just found it an emotionless scene.  There were blue gowns and > masks and screens everywhere, white walls, bright lights, lots of > noise and equipment... it was so clinical.  I am not surprised that > the mother was so laid back... she was just laying there, detatched, > while her child was removed from her body.    > > There was no blood, sweat, or tears... well, there was blood.  And > tears of joy from people who obviously do not know how horrible it > must have been for little Thomas, with tears of sadness from those > who do.   > > It is quite unusual for a baby to be allowed into recovery to be with > their mothers.  That I was impressed with, until I saw that there was > no skin to skin contact, and not even an attempt at breastfeeding. > Why was the mother too tired? She didn't DO anything!  Breastfeeding > is the most important in the first hour of birth ESPECIALLY in babies > born via C/S.  They have none of the labour hormones to kick start > their instincts, and their lungs have excess fluid in them that has > not been squeezed out like it should be in a normal labour/birth > process.  I always know when it's "caesar day" at work, because the > Special Care Nursery is full of newborns with breathing problems.    > > Yes, I am a midwife.  I KNOW that the operation you showed us all > today was medically UNnecessary.  It was basically a surgeon's choice > (fear?) and one would hope, at least, the woman's choice. I wonder if > it was informed choice?  I missed the 2 minute interview with Andrea > you apparently aired.  I certainly hope she was allowed to express > her informed opinion in that short time.     > > My only hope and plea is that you follow this family up over the next > days and weeks to show us who painless c/s really is... Unable to > pick up your crying newborn or change his nappy or give him his first > bath because 7 or so layers of your body have been cut through. > There is a perfectly good opening ready made in women's bodies for > giving birth.  Elective caesarean makes no sense in the majority of > cases.      > > Coming up for christmas soon, I expect the theatre to be booked solid > to cater for all those women who want to make sure their babies come > before christmas, just so that their families can see them.  > > It's all so convenient, isn't it? > > Jo Zoch (Midwife) -- Babies are Born... Pizzas are delivered.