Kirsten (don't know surname, but from Darwin - email Callum & Kirsten [EMAIL PROTECTED]) said: >>>>>I have recently brought Andrea Robertsons book, the midwife companion, and I have to say this book will never leave my side.<<<<<
This is one of the first books that I ever read when I started my journey as a Doula - I borrowed it from a friend and always said that one day I would buy a copy! :o) Kirsten, you are very fortunate to be in a part of the world where it sounds like there are a number of women-centred midwives... sadly it is so not the case all over.... There are many midwives that for whatever personal circumstance or environmental reasons cannot give so much of themselves to the women they support and I feel that I can be available for those women who need more.... and I am not so sure that I would make such a good midwife as I would be frustrated and constantly fighting "the system" I was working within (hospital protocols etc..) and the "politics" instead of focusing on the women I was supporting.... :o) As long as there is a mutual respect and clear, honest communication between Doulas/Birth Companions and Midwives, their joint support of the woman will be *amazing*. Doulas nor Midwives have the monopoly on providing nurturing during labour and birth - the midwife and doula can do this together - after all is there such a thing as giving *too* much love/nurturing at that special time if the woman is needing it.... and if it is the woman's choice to have a further support person/family member/doula there then this should be honoured. Just as an aside, we attended our first antenatal class the other day and in the group there was me and another midwife - we were both hoping to have home births and everyone else was planning to be in hospital and I was stunned and saddened (all over again) by the level of fear already in the other couples about the impending birth, whereas I am sooo looking forward to whatever happens..... we need to work together collectively to reverse this situation. I see myself as very fortunate because, being in the role I am, I have been able to get to know who the "holistic-view" midwives are where I live, so my husband and I will have 2 super homebirth midwives for the birth of our own baby. Other women are not in that position and I hear from them regularly that they have ended up with a midwife purely because she was "the only one available" rather than the woman being able to choose who matched her philosophy most - they then tell me of the restrictions already being placed on how they would prefer to birth.... :o( It is so good to have this e-communication with people around the world who are so passionate about birth and parenting - it is good to know we are "out there" ... and thank you too to Kim (Stead) for your positive comments - have seen you on the NZ e-lists and you will know many of the wonderful midwives I have met here in Wellington I'm sure :o) Best wishes Vida www.nurturenz.com www.kiwidoula.com -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
