Re: [ozmidwifery] Re: uterine rupture 1998

[Abby and Toby]

Hi Belinda,   >>I will throw a flame - what is a traditional midwife and why is this person always without faults and seemingly all knowledgeable and sanctified.   I don't think anyone thinks that traditional midwives are without faults or sanctified, however, I do believe that in their education they learn more about the natural processes than in our current midwifery courses. I don't think this makes them anymore or less, though, they often have less rates of intervention.   >>Why should I as a midwife capable of managing women with induction's, ctgs, multiple iv lines and drugs, catheters, monitors, ventilated babies, suction, uvcs uacs etc etc be classed as something other (therefore subtextually less than)  this traditional midwife - where is she for sick women and babies who deserve a midwife.   I believe traditional midwives are different. They often learn from another woman, on the job training so to speak, the wise ways rather than from books, in a classroom, in a hospital, from men etc. I guess the main difference I see, is that they don't see it as "managing" women or labour. In todays studies, from what I understand, student midwives are taught more about interventions and how to "manage" labour, rather than trusting a woman to birth her baby her way. Unfortunately much of the interventions you mention above are because of the system, not because women need them. Obviously there is a need in a very minimal percentage of cases, but most these interventions come from the way we are taught to believe birth has to be and from a lack of traditional knowledge within the hospital system and within women. I don't think this is the midwifes own problem but it stems from the training and conditioning. It is kinda like the difference between a naturopath and a doctor, one is naturally, wholistically trained ( though these days mostly through a college) and the other is medically trained, and not often wholistically.   >>Please do not separate midwives, it maintains the divide and conquer problem which means we can do less than if we accept diversity and stand together.   I think diversity is wonderful, though I would not put doctors and naturopaths in the same category. Would you not agree that current midwifery studies are not based on traditional, wise ways or even evidence based care in some schools? I find it hard not to seperate the two. That does not mean that midwives who are training now aren't good midwives, but they certainly are trained more as obstetric nurses and have to work hard to learn for themselves the wise and traditional ways of women.   >>This traditional midwife vs obstetric nurse stuff is a huge bug bear of mine. I attend homebirth as well and am quite confident and comfortable independently, but my ability to work in labour wards and NICU settings does not mean I work as an obstetric nurse - ever. I also work very hard with students and know full well the dilemmas they endure in their training and can understand their frustration.   Unfortunately, I've got to leave it there, just found my daughters first chickenpox and she is radiating heat.    Great discussion though and I would love to finish this email another day.   Love Abby