Belinda, This comment of yours really struck a chord with me - I'm glad it has been put out there!
> I would also have to argue that many women out there who do not > experience the type of birth we desire or see as wonderful and > achievable do > not see themselves as victims of an uncaring system. > I would have to say that many > of the women in my study would be > pissed off if you categorised them as making > poor choices, lacking > insight, dreams or hope." Speaking as a mum, as separate from a midwifery student, I have on many occasions felt really confronted by the image of a hospital birth as a negative thing. My 2 children were born in hospitals, one was prem (needing 10 days of special care) and one was induced, and both experiences were wonderful! I think about them all the time and have absolutely no regrets. I would never have thought for one minute that I had been 'violated, dehumanised, objectified' or any of the other 'jargon-like' terms that I have found associated with medical births. In many ways, these views have made me feel guilty for my choices, and feel undermined. I know that they are only opinions, and we should only take on board what we are comfortable with. Anyway, just agreeing with you - some of us out there, while not perhaps feeling 'pissed off' precisely, do feel quite saddened that our choices seem sternly judged. Hard not to take it personally. There must be a happy place that we can meet in the middle :) -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
