Re: [ozmidwifery] Mother friendly hospitals
Barbara Chris wrote: be flexible enough for staff to take the baby for a while if needed - carrying in a sling is great modelling for the mum and keeps baby calm, or dad or grandma can help out. Isn't this what we are talking about ?Sharing the load ? If Mum requests help so she can get 3 hours uninterrupted sleep can't we as MW wear the papoose give her a break ? This is mother baby friendly. No one says mother baby aren't a unit but forcing women to do things they aren't comfortable with is not informed choice or any other kind of choice either is it? How is that different from the OB who insists birth should happen in the dorsal because it's better for his back ? Time time again I tuck babies in with Mums overnight snug them down together so they can be a unit an unsettled baby will sleep. Usually within the hour (just as the babe is nicely settled) the Mum buzzes asks for the baby to be put in his cot now, I'm afraid of rolling on him because the SIDS brochure says. . It is not lack of prenatal ed either before someone throws that one in ! It's plain maternal choice ( plus the huge fear factor SIDS has engendered re co-sleeping). If I can manage to persuade her otherwise ie she won't kill her babe by co-sleeping if she follows these recommended guidelines then in the morning most of the woman state that they didn't sleep a wink, I was very uncomfortable anxious with the baby in bed with me. These are double beds of normal height I might add. So we do try to keep mothers babies as units but to force the issue is not right the women complain to the NUM ! Occasionally women love it. They express this happily thank the staff for showing them how to B/F lying down safely co-sleep (against hosp policy). So whilst baby friendly is great in theory some mothers just don't want to be that way ! Like it or not ! If we cannot help her out then it's tough on the mother, that's the bottom line it's the way she perceives it to be. After all it's not about you me and what we think or believe is right,( I had 4 B/F co-sleepers of my own) it's about her what she feels wants isn't it ? I can tell a woman till I'm blue that delaying her initial shower to allow time for: she doesn't need to rush off straight away and have a shower - there'll be time for that later. Her baby needs to smell her familiar smell and get to know his mum (and breastfeed) BUT if she doesn't want to do it, I am not going to make her, that is assault/restraint ! That makes me no better than all the other prescriptive people in her pregnancy doesn't it ? Sometimes we just have to accept that whilst we see the truth one way, others see it another !! There is no one way ! With kind regards Brenda Manning www.themidwife.com.au - Original Message - From: Barbara Glare Chris Bright [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Wednesday, November 23, 2005 6:03 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Mother friendly hospitals Hi, I really disagree that baby friendly hospitals are OK for the baby but tough on the mother. And if your baby friendly hospital is tough on the mother, then you should be looking at why - because it shouldn't be that way. The newborn mother and baby are a unit. They both surely need to be cared for as though they were one. I think it's part of the problem of society that mothers and babies are pitted against each other almost from birth. Mothers and babies are both usually happier and calmer when together. If a mother is of the believe that she needs the baby away from her to rest, a common enough belief in our society, maybe all that needs to happen is a little empathy and good explanations from the staff I know you are tired, but what we find is that mothers and babies actually rest better when they rest together. Just like you would explain to a mum that she doesn't need to rush off straight away and have a shower - there'll be time for that later. Her baby needs to smell her familiar smell and get to know his mum (and breastfeed) Surely hospitals can be flexible enough for staff to take the baby for a while if needed - carrying in a sling is great modelling for the mum and keeps baby calm, or dad or grandma can help out. For every mother I hear when I'm assessing baby friendly hopitals who say they would have liked a nursery, I hear many, many more whom the staff told that they must be tired and they would take the baby so the mother could rest - the mothers lay unsleeping and rigid in their beds, worrying if that baby they could hear crying was their baby. Barb - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Wednesday, November 23, 2005 12:27 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Mother friendly hospitals Wouldn't it ? I always say baby - friendly is OK for the baby but often it's really tough on the mothers. We ought to be able to do service
Re: [ozmidwifery] Mother friendly hospitals
Wouldn't it ? I always say baby - friendly is OK for the baby but often it's really tough on the mothers. We ought to be able to do service to both, compromise being the operative word. The old days of 'lying in convalescing' were good for mothers babies, I agree with the previous post about too much being expected of new mothers. Especially after a C/S which after all is major surgery. Yes, birth is a natural process but never the less it's exhausting, hard, manual mental labour. Women need to recover recuperate to cope with the demands of mothering, feeding running a household. The old 'lying in hospitals ' were not such a bad idea were they ? In fact I've often thought of the need for a private facility offering those services nowadays. Like an extended stay unit where women go post birth for 1 or 2 weeks get fed,nurtured, educated, assisted with feeding, shown postnatal exercises, encouraged to rest, have massages, see naturopaths re healing remedies if needed etc. In fact Wholistic Care !! What do you think ? Idealistic ?? Dean Jo [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Ahhh! mother friendly hospitals...now that would be worth pursuing! -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.362 / Virus Database: 267.13.4/175 - Release Date: 11/18/2005 -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
Re: [ozmidwifery] Mother friendly hospitals
Funny you should mention the 'holistic approach', I have just finished an AN class talking about postnatal care and i was contrasting the UK system of off and out of hosp. to the system in the Netherlands, where (apart from an impressive 40% + home birth rate) a 'domestic'- cross between a home help and a midwife / doula will come by most days and do stuff around the house for the new family and give mother some advice and support with breastfeeding and postnatal health issues... surprisingly enough they have a very low PND rate... wonder...They seem to save the birth provision budget by having home births and spend it on after care which we all know is the main 'labour' so to speak! Stephanie AN teacher UK - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Tuesday, November 22, 2005 1:27 PM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Mother friendly hospitals Wouldn't it ? I always say baby - friendly is OK for the baby but often it's really tough on the mothers. We ought to be able to do service to both, compromise being the operative word. The old days of 'lying in convalescing' were good for mothers babies, I agree with the previous post about too much being expected of new mothers. Especially after a C/S which after all is major surgery. Yes, birth is a natural process but never the less it's exhausting, hard, manual mental labour. Women need to recover recuperate to cope with the demands of mothering, feeding running a household. The old 'lying in hospitals ' were not such a bad idea were they ? In fact I've often thought of the need for a private facility offering those services nowadays. Like an extended stay unit where women go post birth for 1 or 2 weeks get fed,nurtured, educated, assisted with feeding, shown postnatal exercises, encouraged to rest, have massages, see naturopaths re healing remedies if needed etc. In fact Wholistic Care !! What do you think ? Idealistic ?? Dean Jo [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Ahhh! mother friendly hospitals...now that would be worth pursuing! -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.362 / Virus Database: 267.13.4/175 - Release Date: 11/18/2005 -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
Re: [ozmidwifery] Mother friendly hospitals
Hi, I really disagree that baby friendly hospitals are OK for the baby but tough on the mother. And if your baby friendly hospital is tough on the mother, then you should be looking at why - because it shouldn't be that way. The newborn mother and baby are a unit. They both surely need to be cared for as though they were one. I think it's part of the problem of society that mothers and babies are pitted against each other almost from birth. Mothers and babies are both usually happier and calmer when together. If a mother is of the believe that she needs the baby away from her to rest, a common enough belief in our society, maybe all that needs to happen is a little empathy and good explanations from the staff I know you are tired, but what we find is that mothers and babies actually rest better when they rest together. Just like you would explain to a mum that she doesn't need to rush off straight away and have a shower - there'll be time for that later. Her baby needs to smell her familiar smell and get to know his mum (and breastfeed) Surely hospitals can be flexible enough for staff to take the baby for a while if needed - carrying in a sling is great modelling for the mum and keeps baby calm, or dad or grandma can help out. For every mother I hear when I'm assessing baby friendly hopitals who say they would have liked a nursery, I hear many, many more whom the staff told that they must be tired and they would take the baby so the mother could rest - the mothers lay unsleeping and rigid in their beds, worrying if that baby they could hear crying was their baby. Barb - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Wednesday, November 23, 2005 12:27 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Mother friendly hospitals Wouldn't it ? I always say baby - friendly is OK for the baby but often it's really tough on the mothers. We ought to be able to do service to both, compromise being the operative word. The old days of 'lying in convalescing' were good for mothers babies, I agree with the previous post about too much being expected of new mothers. Especially after a C/S which after all is major surgery. Yes, birth is a natural process but never the less it's exhausting, hard, manual mental labour. Women need to recover recuperate to cope with the demands of mothering, feeding running a household. The old 'lying in hospitals ' were not such a bad idea were they ? In fact I've often thought of the need for a private facility offering those services nowadays. Like an extended stay unit where women go post birth for 1 or 2 weeks get fed,nurtured, educated, assisted with feeding, shown postnatal exercises, encouraged to rest, have massages, see naturopaths re healing remedies if needed etc. In fact Wholistic Care !! What do you think ? Idealistic ?? Dean Jo [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Ahhh! mother friendly hospitals...now that would be worth pursuing! -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.362 / Virus Database: 267.13.4/175 - Release Date: 11/18/2005 -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
RE: [ozmidwifery] Mother friendly hospitals
Ah, but mother friendly involves before the birth and during the birth where mum is a single unit not a double unit -with baby. Hospitals are rarely mother friendly, there are individuals who try to facilitate a mother centred experience but usually this goes against the policies in place that are institution focused. One thing that needs to be addressed is how we can make a post operative cs mum be able to access her baby without having to call the already busy and over wroked midwives on Post natal ward. Nothing is more crushing than wanting to hold your child but physically unable to move to pick them up. Bending, picking up and even rolling on the side all involes movement of the abdominal muscules...the ones most traumatised after cs. I laid there for hours dying inside wanting to hold my son when he cried, and when I cried. Calling the mw seemed 'too selfish' as she was so busy to just come and pick baby up. Catering for dads more is a great idea. LOVE the idea of extended stay but not suitable for those with children already at home. SA has amother acrer program run from Lylle Mac hospital. That is a great service based on the Dutch model of caring for women at home. Got to go to work now! Jo -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Barbara Glare Chris Bright Sent: Wednesday, November 23, 2005 5:33 AM To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Mother friendly hospitals Hi, I really disagree that baby friendly hospitals are OK for the baby but tough on the mother. And if your baby friendly hospital is tough on the mother, then you should be looking at why - because it shouldn't be that way. The newborn mother and baby are a unit. They both surely need to be cared for as though they were one. I think it's part of the problem of society that mothers and babies are pitted against each other almost from birth. Mothers and babies are both usually happier and calmer when together. If a mother is of the believe that she needs the baby away from her to rest, a common enough belief in our society, maybe all that needs to happen is a little empathy and good explanations from the staff I know you are tired, but what we find is that mothers and babies actually rest better when they rest together. Just like you would explain to a mum that she doesn't need to rush off straight away and have a shower - there'll be time for that later. Her baby needs to smell her familiar smell and get to know his mum (and breastfeed) Surely hospitals can be flexible enough for staff to take the baby for a while if needed - carrying in a sling is great modelling for the mum and keeps baby calm, or dad or grandma can help out. For every mother I hear when I'm assessing baby friendly hopitals who say they would have liked a nursery, I hear many, many more whom the staff told that they must be tired and they would take the baby so the mother could rest - the mothers lay unsleeping and rigid in their beds, worrying if that baby they could hear crying was their baby. Barb - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Wednesday, November 23, 2005 12:27 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Mother friendly hospitals Wouldn't it ? I always say baby - friendly is OK for the baby but often it's really tough on the mothers. We ought to be able to do service to both, compromise being the operative word. The old days of 'lying in convalescing' were good for mothers babies, I agree with the previous post about too much being expected of new mothers. Especially after a C/S which after all is major surgery. Yes, birth is a natural process but never the less it's exhausting, hard, manual mental labour. Women need to recover recuperate to cope with the demands of mothering, feeding running a household. The old 'lying in hospitals ' were not such a bad idea were they ? In fact I've often thought of the need for a private facility offering those services nowadays. Like an extended stay unit where women go post birth for 1 or 2 weeks get fed,nurtured, educated, assisted with feeding, shown postnatal exercises, encouraged to rest, have massages, see naturopaths re healing remedies if needed etc. In fact Wholistic Care !! What do you think ? Idealistic ?? Dean Jo [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Ahhh! mother friendly hospitals...now that would be worth pursuing! -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.362 / Virus Database: 267.13.4/175 - Release Date: 11/18/2005 -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe
Re: [ozmidwifery] Mother friendly hospitals
Dear All, BFHI hospitals are NOT unfriendly to mothers EVER. BFHI accredited hospitals are by definition also mother friendly. If a hospital is BFHI accredited all mothers are assured of the information that mothers need. No mother is coerced into a decision otherwise. Mother 'unfriendliness' has never been the credo of BFHI and never will. Mothers informed choices in feeding their baby are and always will be supported through BFHI accredited facilities. Regards Anne Clarke Chair - BFHI Queensland - Original Message - From: Barbara Glare Chris Bright [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Wednesday, November 23, 2005 5:03 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Mother friendly hospitals Hi, I really disagree that baby friendly hospitals are OK for the baby but tough on the mother. And if your baby friendly hospital is tough on the mother, then you should be looking at why - because it shouldn't be that way. The newborn mother and baby are a unit. They both surely need to be cared for as though they were one. I think it's part of the problem of society that mothers and babies are pitted against each other almost from birth. Mothers and babies are both usually happier and calmer when together. If a mother is of the believe that she needs the baby away from her to rest, a common enough belief in our society, maybe all that needs to happen is a little empathy and good explanations from the staff I know you are tired, but what we find is that mothers and babies actually rest better when they rest together. Just like you would explain to a mum that she doesn't need to rush off straight away and have a shower - there'll be time for that later. Her baby needs to smell her familiar smell and get to know his mum (and breastfeed) Surely hospitals can be flexible enough for staff to take the baby for a while if needed - carrying in a sling is great modelling for the mum and keeps baby calm, or dad or grandma can help out. For every mother I hear when I'm assessing baby friendly hopitals who say they would have liked a nursery, I hear many, many more whom the staff told that they must be tired and they would take the baby so the mother could rest - the mothers lay unsleeping and rigid in their beds, worrying if that baby they could hear crying was their baby. Barb - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Wednesday, November 23, 2005 12:27 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Mother friendly hospitals Wouldn't it ? I always say baby - friendly is OK for the baby but often it's really tough on the mothers. We ought to be able to do service to both, compromise being the operative word. The old days of 'lying in convalescing' were good for mothers babies, I agree with the previous post about too much being expected of new mothers. Especially after a C/S which after all is major surgery. Yes, birth is a natural process but never the less it's exhausting, hard, manual mental labour. Women need to recover recuperate to cope with the demands of mothering, feeding running a household. The old 'lying in hospitals ' were not such a bad idea were they ? In fact I've often thought of the need for a private facility offering those services nowadays. Like an extended stay unit where women go post birth for 1 or 2 weeks get fed,nurtured, educated, assisted with feeding, shown postnatal exercises, encouraged to rest, have massages, see naturopaths re healing remedies if needed etc. In fact Wholistic Care !! What do you think ? Idealistic ?? Dean Jo [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Ahhh! mother friendly hospitals...now that would be worth pursuing! -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.362 / Virus Database: 267.13.4/175 - Release Date: 11/18/2005 -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe. __ NOD32 1.1297 (20051122) Information __ This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. http://www.eset.com -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
Re: [ozmidwifery] Mother friendly hospitals
Brenda I love your idea! Weather a hospital is baby or mother friendly or not, is kind of a moot point these days, you are booted out the door so fast. When I had my first child, having just moved to a small country town, no friends or family I was very much on my own, in reflection it was quite a lonely experience. Having some where to stay longer than a few days, for women who have no support would make all the difference. It would be fantastic to see a trust started for lower income women who could apply to the trust to have a doula for support during the birth and in the first weeks and months (maybe it could be government funded??? here's hoping). I am only just being to realise how important the experience a mother has in the first few weeks and months of her babys life really is to her, what an imprint it leaves on her heart and psyche. - Original Message - From: Barbara Glare Chris Bright [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Wednesday, November 23, 2005 6:03 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Mother friendly hospitals Hi, I really disagree that baby friendly hospitals are OK for the baby but tough on the mother. And if your baby friendly hospital is tough on the mother, then you should be looking at why - because it shouldn't be that way. The newborn mother and baby are a unit. They both surely need to be cared for as though they were one. I think it's part of the problem of society that mothers and babies are pitted against each other almost from birth. Mothers and babies are both usually happier and calmer when together. If a mother is of the believe that she needs the baby away from her to rest, a common enough belief in our society, maybe all that needs to happen is a little empathy and good explanations from the staff I know you are tired, but what we find is that mothers and babies actually rest better when they rest together. Just like you would explain to a mum that she doesn't need to rush off straight away and have a shower - there'll be time for that later. Her baby needs to smell her familiar smell and get to know his mum (and breastfeed) Surely hospitals can be flexible enough for staff to take the baby for a while if needed - carrying in a sling is great modelling for the mum and keeps baby calm, or dad or grandma can help out. For every mother I hear when I'm assessing baby friendly hopitals who say they would have liked a nursery, I hear many, many more whom the staff told that they must be tired and they would take the baby so the mother could rest - the mothers lay unsleeping and rigid in their beds, worrying if that baby they could hear crying was their baby. Barb - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Wednesday, November 23, 2005 12:27 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Mother friendly hospitals Wouldn't it ? I always say baby - friendly is OK for the baby but often it's really tough on the mothers. We ought to be able to do service to both, compromise being the operative word. The old days of 'lying in convalescing' were good for mothers babies, I agree with the previous post about too much being expected of new mothers. Especially after a C/S which after all is major surgery. Yes, birth is a natural process but never the less it's exhausting, hard, manual mental labour. Women need to recover recuperate to cope with the demands of mothering, feeding running a household. The old 'lying in hospitals ' were not such a bad idea were they ? In fact I've often thought of the need for a private facility offering those services nowadays. Like an extended stay unit where women go post birth for 1 or 2 weeks get fed,nurtured, educated, assisted with feeding, shown postnatal exercises, encouraged to rest, have massages, see naturopaths re healing remedies if needed etc. In fact Wholistic Care !! What do you think ? Idealistic ?? Dean Jo [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Ahhh! mother friendly hospitals...now that would be worth pursuing! -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.362 / Virus Database: 267.13.4/175 - Release Date: 11/18/2005 -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
RE: [ozmidwifery] Mother friendly hospitals
I think instead of becoming defensive about a programme that has obviously improved some of our outcomes such as breastfeeding etc, we need to step back and take a look at the broader picture here. From what I've been reading, and correct me if I'm wrong, I think that some of the posts about this subject have been a comment on the failure of the system to be 'woman friendly' in it's overall approach to pregnancy, labour, birth, and early parenting. I don't think there is any denying that rooming in, and encouraging all the BFHI guidelines have been positive for many mothers and have been responsible for all kinds of better outcomes. But in the broader context, there are still many things going on in hospitals that are not woman friendly, and therefore, as the woman and the baby do present as a single entity at first, and are inextricably entwined from that point on, not particularly baby friendly either. Having recently birthed with a woman who was told that her baby was in grave danger if she went 'more overdue' but that the hospital was too busy on that day to induce her, and that she would have to ring back the following morning, I'd have to say that this kind of treatment is just the tip of the iceberg when we're talking about non woman/mother/baby friendly treatment. Just my sleep deprived thoughts Tania x -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Anne Clarke Sent: Wednesday, 23 November 2005 10:46 AM To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Mother friendly hospitals Dear All, BFHI hospitals are NOT unfriendly to mothers EVER. BFHI accredited hospitals are by definition also mother friendly. If a hospital is BFHI accredited all mothers are assured of the information that mothers need. No mother is coerced into a decision otherwise. Mother 'unfriendliness' has never been the credo of BFHI and never will. Mothers informed choices in feeding their baby are and always will be supported through BFHI accredited facilities. Regards Anne Clarke Chair - BFHI Queensland - Original Message - From: Barbara Glare Chris Bright [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Wednesday, November 23, 2005 5:03 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Mother friendly hospitals Hi, I really disagree that baby friendly hospitals are OK for the baby but tough on the mother. And if your baby friendly hospital is tough on the mother, then you should be looking at why - because it shouldn't be that way. The newborn mother and baby are a unit. They both surely need to be cared for as though they were one. I think it's part of the problem of society that mothers and babies are pitted against each other almost from birth. Mothers and babies are both usually happier and calmer when together. If a mother is of the believe that she needs the baby away from her to rest, a common enough belief in our society, maybe all that needs to happen is a little empathy and good explanations from the staff I know you are tired, but what we find is that mothers and babies actually rest better when they rest together. Just like you would explain to a mum that she doesn't need to rush off straight away and have a shower - there'll be time for that later. Her baby needs to smell her familiar smell and get to know his mum (and breastfeed) Surely hospitals can be flexible enough for staff to take the baby for a while if needed - carrying in a sling is great modelling for the mum and keeps baby calm, or dad or grandma can help out. For every mother I hear when I'm assessing baby friendly hopitals who say they would have liked a nursery, I hear many, many more whom the staff told that they must be tired and they would take the baby so the mother could rest - the mothers lay unsleeping and rigid in their beds, worrying if that baby they could hear crying was their baby. Barb - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Wednesday, November 23, 2005 12:27 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Mother friendly hospitals Wouldn't it ? I always say baby - friendly is OK for the baby but often it's really tough on the mothers. We ought to be able to do service to both, compromise being the operative word. The old days of 'lying in convalescing' were good for mothers babies, I agree with the previous post about too much being expected of new mothers. Especially after a C/S which after all is major surgery. Yes, birth is a natural process but never the less it's exhausting, hard, manual mental labour. Women need to recover recuperate to cope with the demands of mothering, feeding running a household. The old 'lying in hospitals ' were not such a bad idea were they ? In fact I've often thought of the need for a private facility offering those services nowadays. Like an extended stay unit where women go post birth for 1 or 2
Re: [ozmidwifery] Mother friendly hospitals
I agree, Tania. I find, regardless of the BFHI, it still depends who you get on the day. I know considerable numbers of women who, like myself, had no benefit from the BFHI despite having babies in accredited hospitals. Having guidelines doesn't mean they get followed and since separation after c-sec is the norm, regardless of how healthy the baby is, I'd say that's a massive hole in the actuality of implementing the scheme now that 1 in 3 babies arrives this way. RWH in Melb. is accredited but only approx. 60% of babies are fully bf when they leave, 20% comping and 20% fully ff. It's on the website and in their annual report. And they think that's good! We can't just suddenly switch to being all supportive of the mother-baby dyad after the birth when so many women are treated as incubators from whom babies must be extracted in record time throughout labour and birth. It has to be a holistic approach, and formula should be kept in the drugs cupboard in hospitals and not even suggested to women. Like caesareans, ff should be about lifesaving not convenience. If we simply employed evidence based practices in hospitals - no induction on dates, no separation, immediate skin on skin, proper bf support - we wouldn't have to worry about being mother/baby friendly. But we need health professionals to have a LOT more education about lactation and bf. If you go to mothers' groups you realise how few people in positions to offer advice are offering good advice. J -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
RE: [ozmidwifery] Mother friendly hospitals
When I had my 3rd child in Switzerland my health insurance paid for a 'housekeeper' for a month after the birth. My OB wrote that since it was my 3rd child I would be tired!! They would do odd jobs, like ironing, cleaning, cooking (although I never took up the last one). It was lovely to sit on the couch breastfeeding my baby while lifting my legs up so that the cleaner could mop under my feet!!! Ahh, that's what I call support!! Sylvia Sylvia Boutsalis Childbirth Educator Infant Massage Instructor Adelaide www.talkaboutbabies.com.au (updated and running very soon)Currently the old one is still up. -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of John Jenny Turnbull Sent: Wednesday, 23 November 2005 1:32 PM To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Mother friendly hospitals Brenda I love your idea! Weather a hospital is baby or mother friendly or not, is kind of a moot point these days, you are booted out the door so fast. When I had my first child, having just moved to a small country town, no friends or family I was very much on my own, in reflection it was quite a lonely experience. Having some where to stay longer than a few days, for women who have no support would make all the difference. It would be fantastic to see a trust started for lower income women who could apply to the trust to have a doula for support during the birth and in the first weeks and months (maybe it could be government funded??? here's hoping). I am only just being to realise how important the experience a mother has in the first few weeks and months of her babys life really is to her, what an imprint it leaves on her heart and psyche. - Original Message - From: Barbara Glare Chris Bright [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Wednesday, November 23, 2005 6:03 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Mother friendly hospitals Hi, I really disagree that baby friendly hospitals are OK for the baby but tough on the mother. And if your baby friendly hospital is tough on the mother, then you should be looking at why - because it shouldn't be that way. The newborn mother and baby are a unit. They both surely need to be cared for as though they were one. I think it's part of the problem of society that mothers and babies are pitted against each other almost from birth. Mothers and babies are both usually happier and calmer when together. If a mother is of the believe that she needs the baby away from her to rest, a common enough belief in our society, maybe all that needs to happen is a little empathy and good explanations from the staff I know you are tired, but what we find is that mothers and babies actually rest better when they rest together. Just like you would explain to a mum that she doesn't need to rush off straight away and have a shower - there'll be time for that later. Her baby needs to smell her familiar smell and get to know his mum (and breastfeed) Surely hospitals can be flexible enough for staff to take the baby for a while if needed - carrying in a sling is great modelling for the mum and keeps baby calm, or dad or grandma can help out. For every mother I hear when I'm assessing baby friendly hopitals who say they would have liked a nursery, I hear many, many more whom the staff told that they must be tired and they would take the baby so the mother could rest - the mothers lay unsleeping and rigid in their beds, worrying if that baby they could hear crying was their baby. Barb - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Wednesday, November 23, 2005 12:27 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Mother friendly hospitals Wouldn't it ? I always say baby - friendly is OK for the baby but often it's really tough on the mothers. We ought to be able to do service to both, compromise being the operative word. The old days of 'lying in convalescing' were good for mothers babies, I agree with the previous post about too much being expected of new mothers. Especially after a C/S which after all is major surgery. Yes, birth is a natural process but never the less it's exhausting, hard, manual mental labour. Women need to recover recuperate to cope with the demands of mothering, feeding running a household. The old 'lying in hospitals ' were not such a bad idea were they ? In fact I've often thought of the need for a private facility offering those services nowadays. Like an extended stay unit where women go post birth for 1 or 2 weeks get fed,nurtured, educated, assisted with feeding, shown postnatal exercises, encouraged to rest, have massages, see naturopaths re healing remedies if needed etc. In fact Wholistic Care !! What do you think ? Idealistic ?? Dean Jo [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Ahhh! mother friendly hospitals...now that would be worth pursuing! -- No virus found
Re: [ozmidwifery] Mother friendly hospitals
This is one reason the people of Mareeba fought so hard for their maternity ward. We have 3 rooms which used to be two bedded and have been converted to just one with a Queen size bed, TV, fridge, table and chairs and an easy chair. Partners are welcome to stay as are close others if partner not available. I have known a time when we could not get into a room because of the swags on the floor. The family lived a long way out and stayed like that a couple of days. She did not really require help from us, just the ability to get the bonding going with the rest of her children. Even if the 3 rooms are in use, we put a camp stretcher for the visitor in a single room and as soon as a double is avilable they move. It is a lovely way to work. Cheers JudyJohn Jenny Turnbull [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Brenda I love your idea!Weather a hospital is baby or mother friendly or not, is kind of a moot point these days, you are booted out the door so fast.When I had my first child, having just moved to a small country town, no friends or family I was very much on my own, in reflection it was quite a lonely experience. Having some where to stay longer than a few days, for women who have no support would make all the difference. It would be fantastic to see a trust started for lower income women who could apply to the trust to have a doula for support during the birth and in the first weeks and months (maybe it could be government funded??? here's hoping). I am only just being to realise how important the experience a mother has in the first few weeks and months of her babys life really is to her, what an imprint it leaves on her heart and psyche.- Original Message - From: "Barbara Glare Chris Bright"! To: Sent: Wednesday, November 23, 2005 6:03 AMSubject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Mother friendly hospitals Hi, I really disagree that baby friendly hospitals are OK for the baby but tough on the mother. And if your baby friendly hospital is tough on the mother, then you should be looking at why - because it shouldn't be that way. The newborn mother and baby are a unit. They both surely need to be cared for as though they were one. I think it's part of the problem of society that mothers and babies are pitted against each other almost from birth. Mothers and babies are both usually happier and calmer when together. If a mother is of the believe that she needs the baby away from her to rest, a common enough belief in our society, maybe all that needs to happen is a little empathy and g! ood explanations from the staff "I know you are tired, but what we find is that mothers and babies actually rest better when they rest together." Just like you would explain to a mum that she doesn't need to rush off straight away and have a shower - there'll be time for that later. Her baby needs to smell her familiar smell and get to know his mum (and breastfeed) Surely hospitals can be flexible enough for staff to take the baby for a while if needed - carrying in a sling is great modelling for the mum and keeps baby calm, or dad or grandma can help out. For every mother I hear when I'm assessing baby friendly hopitals who say they would have liked a nursery, I hear many, many more whom the staff told that they must be tired and they would take the baby so the mother could rest - the mothers lay unsleeping and rigid in their beds, worrying if that baby t! hey could hear crying was their baby. Barb - Original Message - From: To: Sent: Wednesday, November 23, 2005 12:27 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Mother friendly hospitals Wouldn't it ? I always say baby - friendly is OK for the baby but often it's really tough on the mothers. We ought to be able to do service to both, compromise being the operative word. The old days of 'lying in convalescing' were good for mothers babies, I agree with the previous post about too much being expected of new mothers. Especially after a C/S which after all is major surgery. Yes, birth is a natural process but never the less it's exhausting, hard, manual mental labour. Women need to recover recuperate to co! pe with the demands of mothering, feeding running a household. The old 'lying in hospitals ' were not such a bad idea were they ? In fact I've often thought of the need for a private facility offering those services nowadays. Like an extended stay unit where women go post birth for 1 or 2 weeks get fed,nurtured, educated, assisted with feeding, shown postnatal exercises, encouraged to rest, have massages, see naturopaths re healing remedies if needed etc. In fact Wholistic Care !! What do you think ? Idealistic ?? Dean Jo wrote: Ahhh! mother friendly hospitals...now that would be worth pursuing! -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.362 / Virus Database: 267.13.4/175 - Release Date: 11/18/2005 -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit to subs
