[ozmidwifery] Response from Today Show

[Dierdre Bowman]

Seems if you leave your letters till later you get better bites.  This was Tracey Grimshaws response to my email. It's a beauty. Dierdre B. ----- Original Message ----- From: TCN Today Show To: Dierdre Bowman Sent: Tuesday, December 09, 2003 6:11 PM Subject: RE: Live Caesarean Dear Dierdre, You have put very reasoned arguments to support your contention that CS births are overused. It is an argument that we have explored and aired on our program many times in recent years, and during our program last week, we spoke to a midwife on that very point. You do not, however, support your accusation that we �did nothing but tell women it is okay to have cs for no medical reason�. First, the program was about birth�period. Specifically about the arrival of the 20 millionth Australian, however and whomever that was. It was NOT A POLITICAL STATEMENT ON BIRTHING METHODS�though we acknowledged the debate. The special moment was young Tom Cooper�s arrival into the world�and to be honest, it was truly wonderful�regardless of by which orifice he emerged. Of course it would have been impossible to schedule a vaginal delivery �live� during a 3 hour window. Babies don�t work to deadlines. And it was the �live broadcast� element that we wanted to share with our viewers�the excitement of seeing something happen for the first time, before anyone else has seen it, before your eyes. Tom was going to arrive cs regardless of whether we were there or not�we simply took an amazing opportunity. It is a shame that the extreme end of the anti cs debate has sought to hijack that moment for its own end. But back to your accusation: we explained repeatedly that Tom�s mum Liane had a history of complex reproductive problems. Her first baby was born by cs several days after her waters broke and doctors were unable to induce labour. She sought the best medical advice she could get, and made an informed decision not to have that happen again. While I respect opinions like yours I have been shocked and horrified by a minority of people who have accused her of being �less than a mother�;�too posh to push� etc. This rush to judge others simply because they have the temerity to make a choice that differs with one�s own is an ugly side of human nature. Opinions are a right�they should not be a weapon. We did not tell anyone it was okay to have a cs for no medical reason. But frankly I do not presume the right to tell anyone how they should make one of the biggest decisions of their lives. Nor to judge them on it. Regards, Tracy Grimshaw       -----Original Message----- From: Dierdre Bowman [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, 9 December 2003 12:24 PM To: TCN Today Show Subject: Live Caesarean Importance: High   Over the past few days I have tried to come to grips with your show on the live caesarean birth.  I am a midwife who constantly sees women who have been devastated by their experience with caesarean section (C/S).  While I agree that for some women 10-15% C/S is an absolutely necessary and life saving event, it is an outrage that this story has gone to air in the context it has.    The c/s rate in this country, is out of control.  Research is now revealing that this operation may have long term effects especially on the emotional wellbeing of the mother. The world health organization recommended that the C/S rate should not be higher than 10-15% in ANY geographical area. Why then do we in Australia have rates from between 20 and 50%. Please don't tell me that 1/4 to 1/2 the population of Australian women are unable to birth vaginally. I have seen mother and babies with sliced bladders and parts of the baby cut because of C/S.  Women who for months after suffer server pain as a result of infection and babies born with respiratory distress as a result of C/S performed when the baby was SUPPOSE to be full term only to discover it was premature!!!!!!!   I am a victim of two unnecessary caesareans and having a previous C/S is NOT a valid reason for having another. In fact in order to escape the knife the third time I had to birth at home with a midwife. The only person who would fight for my rights.  Mothers and infants are at double to three times the risk of Death having a c/s than a vaginal delivery.  We are working very hard as mothers and midwives to turn around this potentially disastrous situation. Your show has done nothing but tell women it's ok to have C/S for no medical reason.  This is not OK. In fact your show has left consumers of birthing groups and organizations as well as the midwives who attend them outraged.  You really need to do some careful thinking before you air something based on the opinions of an obstetrician who's primary concern appears to be his star qualities as a performer instead of what should be his role. Promoting what is safe and best for women and babies.    I would have second thoughts about watching your show again! Dierdre Bowman