----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, June 01, 2006 2:56
PM
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Fw: E-News
8:11 - Postdates Pregnancies (May 24, 2006)
but the women are free to
say what they want and demand complete informed consent, and we can help
them navigate that rocky terrain.
Absolutely, the point I tried to make at our
meeting at work last week, but the powers to be and some
colleagues, think that women who don't ask or demand info, should
only be given the standard spiel to gain 'informed' consent, eg for Vit K.
I try to expand on anything and enlighten them to the whole spectrum of
choice. I consider myself to be advocate for all women within my care even
if it is only one antenatal visit or a phone enquiry. When being advocate
for those who do demand, who almost always are
well informed, the establishment seem to think that is OK, but talk about
the same stuff to all women, especially those who are basically un
-knowledgeable about anything related to their bodies and babies, then I
am just being radical. I feel these are the women who benefit from
our advocacy the most. Its a frustrating situation, to be criticised
for empowering women to make these decisions about themselves. I find it
less rewarding advocating for those who are already empowered to express
their wishes.
Di
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, May 31, 2006 3:55
PM
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Fw:
E-News 8:11 - Postdates Pregnancies (May 24, 2006)
I love that you use the word
mysogony Justine, and hi and thankyou to you Penny
too.
I was talking to a fellow midwife at my
hosp about it the other day. Sometimes we wanted to give the
benefit of the doubt...at worst that the actions of some Drs was
paternalistic - wanting to help the poor ladies from their
suffering (while of course making life litigiously safer for
themselves and getting paid more).
Then i also considered it was just
ignorance on the part of some doctors, unware of the amazing beuaty and
awesome transedence of anything worldly in natural birth and the power
that this gives women. They rarely get to see beautiful birth
(which is why i love working with student doctors in birth and
getting in their ears). Maybe they don't understand how good it
can be for women, is it too spiritual, too unscientific for them to get
their head around?
But I am more and more convinced that there
is some phsycological women hate going on as well. And wanting to claim
birth into the male relm. Taking away this amazing opportunity for
empowerment. BIRTH ENVY? Or thinking that most women
are too weak to be able to birth without intervention. Or
too stupid to understand the details so he'll make the desicion for
them. Or too smarty pants and asking too many questions and taking
up too much time so needs to be put into place with some condeseding
remark - if that doesnt stop her she's too dangerous and needs to
be told to go elsewhere.
We spoke about a doctor with a very high
c/section rate. If according to him you are too short, too old , too
Asian etc- you are convinced through the course of antenatal
"care" that you can't possibly vaginally birth and an "elective"
("elective" for whom?) c/s is booked on a day suitable to him. By the
time we are meeting the women - for shave and catheter they are
absolutly convinced they are doing the right thing. Which puts us in a
really difficult possition. 1/2 an hour before surgery is not a great
time to talk to women about their alternative options. One woman
- a 40 yr old Philipino primip was told her baby was breech and
needed to have a c/s - but it wasn't breech, and the Dr knew it. But she
was so sold on the idea that she couldnt birth vaginally that she didnt
really mind about where the baby was lying. THIS WAS NOT HIS CHOICE
TO MAKE.
We need to keep working on UNIVERSAL
(mainstream, free, accessable) opportunities for women to find
information and care and reduce the fear. In that town right now
the alternative voices women get to hear are only soft squeeks amongst
the bellow of the monolith.
Maybe we are scared sometimes to speak up
in our workplace if we want to keep our job and dont want to rock the
boat, but the women are free to say what they want and demand
complete informed consent, and we can help them navigate that rocky
terrain. And isn't it great when you get to work with a women who is
making those demands, and get to advocate for them - its very safe
territory because we are doing what our midwifery competancies
demand.
Love Suzi
