Well said Kim. You're a beautiful midwife. Jen
--- Kim Stead <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Hi guys > > I just wanted to add that I am not pro or against > abortion - just > understanding of women's difficulties and changing > circumstances that come > up and bite you in the bum when you least expect > them! > > I do know of women who have had abortions for very > sound reasons (now I feel > like I am having to justify their decisions or lack > of them) and I have seen > the heart-ache that this has caused for years to > come. They have not been > decisions that have been taken lightly and often > they have affected many > people in the wings - family and the professionals > caring for them. I have > also worked with some amazing midwives who have > cared for women during the > procedure (and not the early ones) because they have > been 'dropped' by their > midwives, doctors etc (and often ones they trusted) > for the decision that > had been made. They felt that were being judged by > people (professionals) > who should know better and who knew very little of > their personal situations > The midwives who cared for these women often had > anti-abortion feelings > also but kept that part of their personal belief > system and not for public > knowledge. Others felt that this was not something > that they could be > involved with (ethical reasons or emotional > well-being) and professionally > and kindly removed themselves from the situation > making sure the woman was > cared for by someone who could support her through > one of the most difficult > times of her life. Usually we knew of those such > people and as > professionals we supported them with their difficult > task. Unit managers > also knew which staff they could call on. > > As a student, one of my fellow colleagues was very > open and somewhat > ruthless in expressing her opinions. "I will not > care for such women! I'm > not that kind of midwife". As midwives, especially > when working in the > continuity model... you don't know who these women > are going to be. They > don't exactly have signs on their foreheads. Often > the women don't know > who they are either. Unfortuanately, abortion was > almost a taboo subject in > my training (issues with one the lecturer's I > suspected) so I took it upon > myself to research and present this topic as one of > my special topic > presentations. I thought it was important for all > midwives (and other heath > professionals) to know how complex the situation is, > situations but more > importantly, how to deal with the situation when it > arises. As a woman and > a mother, I have my own feelings and opinions but > have also been very > grateful that I have never been in such a > situation.... but as a midwife I > hope to have a professional approach to the subject > as well and wanted to be > prepared in advance. I urge you all to give this > some consideration so that > the women we care for are treated in a respectful > and non-judgemental manner > Know what services exist in your area and where > these women and families > can can help, advice and support. Be clear about > your professional and > personal boundaries. > > I value this list for the opportunity to share > feelings and experienes but > like some others, I don't feel it is an appropriate > place to lay judgement > and stir up feelings and emotions that lie deep > within any one of us. We > all have our own issues, passions and life > experiences (both good and bad) > and I know that certain topics are very close to > home for me also. > > Kiwi Kim. > > > > > > Kim Stead > Midwife : Birth-Wise Midwifery > www.birth-wise.com. Find local movie times and trailers on Yahoo! Movies. http://au.movies.yahoo.com -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
