I have to admit that I am becoming slightly biased toward natural and unmedicated birth and also slightly biased against the typical american obstetrical model. I was at a Childbirth Collective meeting this week and was reminded of the statistics: The average home birth midwife prenatal appointment lasts 45 minutes to 1 hour, the average hospital midwife prenatal appointment lasts 12-15 minutes, and the average OB/GYN prenatal appointment lasts 6-8 minutes.
Yet, these are just statistics. I would like to think that the lovely doctors that we have here in the great state of Minnesota are a little better than that, and today I had the privelege of being possibly proven right. Today I attended a prenatal appointment that the OB spent not just 8 minutes, 15 minutes, or even 45 minutes with us-- He spent an HOUR with us. This doctor was very caring and considerate and took time to answer all of my clients questions. And, no, it did not seem that he would be any different had I not been there with my client. She informed me that she is always treated with that kind of kindness and generosity. He was also very honest about the effects of medications, and interventions such as induciton and episiotomy.
It was a wonderful and uplifting experience to meet someone who cared about the mother so much, someone who wanted to uplift her birthing experience and regard it has highly as she did.
Us Minnesotans are so lucky : )
1 comment:
Hi Hope,
I found your blog via Facebook today. It is awesome that you're a doula; you're providing wonderful, supportive and helpful services to moms. I've recommended you to friends looking for a doula... maybe you'll hear from one someday.
I appreciated this post because with the popularity of natural everything these days, moms who either chose or required interventions can feel like their experience was second-rate, or that medical professionals are the bad guys. I've read birth stories along the lines of "I THOUGHT I'D HAVE TO HAVE A C-SECTION!!!!" Gasp. As if that would be a tragedy. I read a lot of natural books and hired a doula, but had a c-section because of preeclampsia and a breech baby. Though the surgery itself was a bit eventful, I didn't feel inferior, second-rate, or pushed around by medical professionals. I was very relieved and safe. I had a painless delivery, a quicker recovery than some natural friends, and absolutely no issues with bonding.
So... I'm glad that you posted this to alleviate the "us v. them" mentality. I'm also glad that you support women who choose to use medications or other interventions.
Post a Comment